Lake · Olympic National Park
Three Lakes
12.8 mi round trip3,436 ft gainVery hardDay hike: No permitOvernight: Reservation
Get alerts for this hikePermits and reservations
Day hikeNo permit
Day hikes need no permit, only the park entrance pass.
OvernightReservation
Every overnight stay needs a wilderness permit from Recreation.gov. Bear canisters are required at all wilderness camps (free loaners at Wilderness Information Centers).
Permit calendar
Summer permits releaseApril 15, 7 AM PT
Summer quota seasonMay 15 to October 15
Olympic National Park wilderness rules from the National Park Service. Quota areas include Seven Lakes Basin, Grand Valley, Royal Lake, the Ozette coast, and Enchanted Valley. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Distance12.8 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain3,436 ftTotal climb, round trip
Lake elevation3,162 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Three Lakes is a lake reached by a 12.8-mile round trip from Irely Lake (Big Creek) Trailhead. The route follows Irely Lake Trail, then Three Lakes Trail to the shore.
Photos from hikers
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What you need
Parking and passes
National park entrance fee: $30 per vehicle for 7 days, the $55 Olympic annual pass, or an America the Beautiful pass. The park does not take cash.
Buy an entrance passGetting there
The hike starts at Irely Lake (Big Creek) Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.