Hike of the Week: Swan Lake

Enjoy the serenity and beauty of Swan Lake on this easy hike

Swan Lake

You’ll go crazy over the resident loons




by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

June 2, 2006

Quick Facts
Location: Okanogan Highlands
Land Agency: Colville National Forest
Roundtrip: 3.5 miles
Elevation gain: 175 feet
Access: From Republic, Washington head south on SR 21 for 7.0 miles. Turn right (west) onto Forest Road no. 53 following this good paved road for 6.5 miles to the Swan Lake Campground. Proceed another .4 miles to the Day Use Area and trailhead.
Notes: Campground on lake makes a good base.

Are you looking for a quiet little retreat? Look no further than Swan Lake, a tranquil little body of water located in the rolling forested hills above the Sanpoil River Valley. The hike around the lake is only 2.0 miles. Add the trip to Swan Butte, and you still have a pretty short hike. But, this loop isn’t meant to be done quickly. For while Swan Lake is small, it’s offerings are much larger. The lake and surrounding forest teem with wildlife. This hike is ideal late in the evening or early in the morning when the lake’s serenity is broken by the eerie cries of the resident loons. Swan Lake is one of only a handful of lakes in Washington where this beautiful bird breeds.
Begin your hike around Swan Lake from the picnic area. Here you’ll find a beautiful kitchen shelter constructed by the CCC. The trail travels along the shoreline which ranges from ledgy to marshy. Look for moose tracks in the marshes-better yet, look for moose. Huckleberry bushes and big ponderosa pines line the way from time to time.
About half way around the lake you’ll come to the side trail that leads to Swan Butte. Follow this .75 mile path to the 3,825-foot high point. Although you won’t get much of a view of the lake from here-you will get a nice view of the Kettle Crest and the Thirteen Mile Creek Peaks to the east. Once you’ve finished soaking up the views return to the lake and complete the loop. Consider a post hike dip. The lake warms up quite nicely by late summer.

Swan Lake is one of 75 hikes spotlighted in the guide book, Best Hikes with Dogs: Inland Northwest.