Top 11 Lakes around Edmonds

For a family-friendly lake experience, Lake Ballinger is an excellent choice, offering a swimming beach, picnic tables, a children's play area, and self-serve kayak rentals. Martha Lake also caters to families with a playground, picnic shelters, and a wading area, making it ideal for beginner paddlers. Additionally, Cottage Lake provides a wide array of activities including a play area, picnic facilities, and even a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and high ropes course.

Yes, Chase Lake offers a peaceful escape within Edmonds, with a tranquil walking trail encircling the lake, perfect for quiet strolls and birdwatching, especially for winter waterfowl. Lake Ballinger also features a 42-acre natural area with walking trails for nature observation.

Lake Ballinger is well-equipped for boating (non-motorized) and offers year-round fishing from its pier. Martha Lake is also great for non-gasoline motor boating, particularly for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding, and is known for good kayak fishing. Cottage Lake provides lake access for both boating (non-motorized) and fishing.

You can find various trails suitable for different activities. For hiking, consider routes like the easy-rated 'Golf Course Trail' or 'Lynndale Park Nature Trail'. If you enjoy running, 'Marina Beach – Olympic Beach loop from Edmonds' offers a moderate challenge. Cyclists can explore longer routes such as the 'Burke-Gilman Trail – Burke Gilman Trail loop from Edmonds'. You can find more details on these and other routes in the Hiking around Edmonds, Running Trails around Edmonds, and Road Cycling Routes around Edmonds guides.

While specific details on full wheelchair accessibility for all lakes are limited, Bitter Lake Reservoir Open Space, though the reservoir itself is fenced, features a paved path and is considered wheelchair accessible, offering a pleasant view and a fitness zone. For other lakes, it's best to check specific park amenities for boardwalks or paved sections.

Most major lake parks like Lake Ballinger, Martha Lake, and Cottage Lake offer public parking facilities. For public transport, options vary by lake. For example, Lake Ballinger is located partially within Mountlake Terrace, which may have transit connections. For specific public transport routes, it's advisable to check local transit schedules for the destination lake.

Yes, Lake Ballinger features a designated swimming beach, making it a popular spot for a dip. Always check for current water quality advisories before swimming in any lake.

Chase Lake is particularly known for attracting diverse birdlife, especially winter waterfowl, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching within the city limits. The natural areas surrounding Lake Ballinger also offer opportunities for nature observation, including birds.

Yes, both Lake Ballinger and Martha Lake prohibit internal combustion motors, contributing to a quieter and more peaceful environment ideal for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and swimming.

Many lakes offer scenic views. Log Boom Park (Tracy Owen Station) provides access to Lake Washington's shoreline with a public dock, offering great views and a spot to watch seaplanes. The Beach Trail also runs next to Lake Washington, providing excellent views across the water. O.O. Denny Park offers breathtaking views of Lake Washington from its scattered benches and trails.

The lakes around Edmonds are generally enjoyable year-round. Summer is ideal for swimming and water sports, while spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures for hiking and nature walks with beautiful foliage. Winter can be great for quiet strolls and birdwatching, especially at lakes like Chase Lake.

Cottage Lake Park offers unique amenities beyond typical lake recreation, including a seasonal outdoor swimming pool operated by the Northshore YMCA and a high ropes course. It also hosts annual 'Music in the Park' outdoor summer concerts, providing a versatile destination for various interests.