Are dogs allowed on Bear Lakes?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Bear Lakes but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Bear Lakes?

No, Bear Lakes does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Bear Lakes?

Bear Lakes is rated expert. It is 24.4 miles long with 8,799 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Is Bear Lakes suitable for kids?

Bear Lakes is not typically recommended for young children due to length, exposure, or technical terrain. Older kids with hiking experience may be fine — use your judgment based on your family's comfort level.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See California trail conditions

ExpertOut and Back

California

Bear Lakes

Lakeshore, California

24.4 mi

Distance

8,799 ft

Elev. Gain

11h 37m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Expert

Difficulty

About This Trail

Bear Lakes is a set of small freshwater lakes located on the southwest skirt of Canoe Peak, in King County, Washington. Several mines are located in the vicinity of Bear Lakes. Access is from Bear Creek Trail which continues along abandoned and mostly overgrown mine routes. Cable reels and other mining artifacts are frequent along the trail and in the surrounding areas of the lake. Lake Kanim is a short distance north over Canoe Peak towards Lennox Mountain, and Paradise Lakes are west of Bear Lakes.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:2,253 ft

Max:3,768 ft

2,682 ft

Trail Details

Dogs on leash

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

No reviews yet

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context