Alta Lake State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Alta Lake State Park is a beautiful park located in the state of Washington, known for its stunning views of the lake and its surrounding mountains.
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Summary
Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. The park is particularly popular during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny.
One of the main attractions of Alta Lake State Park is, of course, the lake itself. The lake spans over 180 acres and is known for its crystal-clear waters and abundance of fish, including bass, trout, and kokanee. Visitors can rent boats, kayaks, and paddleboards from the park's concession stand or bring their own. The park also has a swimming area with a sandy beach and picnic tables.
Another point of interest in Alta Lake State Park is the network of hiking trails that wind through the surrounding hills. The trails offer stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains and are a great way to explore the park's natural beauty. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the nearby Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has several trails that lead up into the mountains.
Interesting facts about Alta Lake State Park are that it was originally used as a fishing resort in the early 1900s, and later became a state park in the 1970s. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, eagles, osprey, and beavers.
The best time of year to visit Alta Lake State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lake is at its most inviting. However, visitors should be aware that the park can get crowded during peak season, so it's recommended to arrive early in the day to secure a spot on the beach or at a picnic table. In the fall, the park's foliage turns a beautiful array of colors, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
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Averill - WDFW
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Antilon Lake Campground
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Antilon Lake
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Okanogan River Paddlers Campground
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