Washington State has a wide variety of landscapes – snow capped mountain ranges, rocky beaches, lush green forests, and of course, stunning blue lakes. If you’re looking to live the lake lifestyle, then Washington has a lake town for you. 

At Redfin, we’ve collected 10 popular lakes in Washington to live on this year. From cities to small towns, there’s a lake for everyone wanting a slice of nature. Listed in alphabetical order, read on to find out which lakes made the list – and what cities you might want to buy a home in.

1. American Lake (Lakewood)

Nearest city: Lakewood, WA
Median home sale price: $480,000
Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,622
Population: 63,613
Homes for sale in Lakewood
Apartments for rent in Lakewood

American Lake is in the city of Lakewood, located about halfway between Tacoma and Olympia. Open year-round, this freshwater lake is popular for swimming, picnicking, and fishing for rainbow trout and kokanee. There are two public parks – American Lake Park and Harry Todd Park – where you can find boat launches, picnic tables, skate parks, and tennis courts. American Lake is also home to the Tacoma Country & Golf Club, a private golf course with stunning views of the lake. The city of Lakewood is home to about 63,000 residents and several other lakes, like Steilacoom Lake and Gravelly Lake.

2. Lake Chelan (Chelan)

Nearest city: Chelan, WA
Median home sale price: $592,500
Population: 4,392
Homes for sale in Chelan
Apartments for rent in Chelan

One of Washington’s most popular lakes, Lake Chelan, is a great area to consider buying a lakeside retreat on. The nearest city is Chelan, although there are several other small towns surrounding this 50-mile long lake. Lake Chelan is the third-deepest lake in the US, and is popular for boating, kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, and much more. The lake has several parks, but the main one is Lake Chelan State Park, where you’ll find boat ramps, grills, picnic areas, playgrounds, an amphitheater, and hiking trails. The town of Chelan has plenty of things to do from wine-tasting and exploring the Chelan Riverwalk to checking out the downtown area and hiking the Chelan Butte Trail.

3. Lake Cushman (Hoodsport)

Nearest city: Hoodsport, WA
Median home sale price: $785,000
Population: 162
Homes for sale in Hoodsport
Apartments for rent in Hoodsport

Located in Mason County, near the Olympic National Forest, you’ll find the charming Lake Cushman. This lake is a great area for fishing, picnicking, camping, and hiking. You’ll find several trails, like the Mount Rose Trail, Big Creek Upper Loop #827.1, Mt. Ellinor Lower Trailhead, and Mt. Ellinor Upper Trailhead. Lake Cushman is located near the unincorporated community, Lake Cushman, and Hoodsport. Both towns have quaint cafes and restaurants, as well as gorgeous water views. 

4. Lake Quinault (Amanda Park)

Nearest city: Amanda Park, WA
Population: 250
Homes for sale in Chelan
Apartments for rent in Chelan

Lake Quinault is a gorgeous lake located in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula, surrounded by the lush temperate rainforest. The lake is perfect for hiking as there are plenty of trails, like Quinault Rain Forest trail, Quinault Big Cedar trail, and July Creek Picnic Area trail. Lake Quinault is also home to the World’s Largest Sitka Spruce and several charming resorts. The nearest city is Amanda Park, a small town with just about 250 residents.

5. Lake Sammamish (Sammamish)

Nearest city: Sammamish, WA
Median home sale price: $1,870,000
Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,066
Population: 70,000
Homes for sale in Sammamish
Apartments for rent in Sammamish

A popular lake for Seattle-area residents is Lake Sammamish, is the 5th spot on our list of lakes in Washington to live on. There are many properties located along the waterfront in Sammamish, offering lots of opportunities for boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, and hiking. Lake Sammamish has several parks, with the two main parks located at the northern and southern ends – Marymoor Park and Lake Sammamish State Park. Marymoor Park has plenty of trails, an off-leash dog park, and hosts outdoor concerts during the summer months. Lake Sammamish State Park has volleyball courts, grill and picnic areas, a beach, and boat ramp. There are many things that stand out about living in Lake Sammamish from its proximity to Seattle and Bellevue, easy access to the Snoqualmie Valley, and nature preserves like Evans Creek Preserve.

6. Lake Tapps (Lake Tapps)

Nearest city: Lake Tapps, WA
Median home sale price: $955,000
Population: 12,000
Homes for sale in Lake Tapps
Apartments for rent in Lake Tapps

Lake Tapps is situated in Pierce County, near cities like Tacoma and Auburn. Formerly used for hydroelectric power, Lake Tapps has become a popular spot for fishing, swimming, and boating since 2004. The lake is located in the city of Lake Tapps, where you can find the Tapps Island Golf Course and Lake Tapps Park. At Lake Tapps Park, there are picnic areas, trails, and a boat launch. It’s also close to White River Amphitheatre, a seasonal concert venue open during the summer months.

7. Lake Union (Seattle)

Nearest city: Seattle
Median home sale price: $615,000
Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,491
Population: 5,000
Homes for sale in Lake Union
Apartments for rent in Lake Union

Lake Union is one of Seattle’s famous recreational areas, popular for boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Located in the heart of Seattle, Lake Union has four main neighborhoods surrounding it – Northlake, Eastlake, South Lake Union, and Westlake – giving you several areas to choose from. If you’re looking for a true taste of Lake Union, you can consider purchasing a floating house. Lake Union has two parks, Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park. Gas Works Park is a great place to have a picnic overlooking the water, kayak, or launch your boat. Lake Union Park is home to the MOHAI and The Center for Wooden Boats, as well as walking trails. 

Learn more about the South Lake Union neighborhood in Seattle.

8. Lake Washington (Kirkland)

Nearest city: Kirkland, WA
Median home sale price: $1,304,500
Average 1-bedroom rent: $3,695
Population: 90,000
Homes for sale in Kirkland
Apartments for rent in Kirkland

Eighth on our list of best lakes to live in Washington is Lake Washington, Seattle’s other famous lake. Lake Washington is the state’s second-largest lake, after Lake Chelan, and is popular for sailing, fishing, paddleboarding, and windsurfing. There are several cities surrounding Lake Washington, including Seattle. However, Kirkland is one of the more popular options as there are plenty of lakefront parks, boat docks, and views of Seattle. Make sure to check out Doris Cooper Houghton Beach Park, Juanita Beach Park, or Marina Park, which is near Kirkland’s charming downtown area.

8. Lake Washington (Mercer Island)

Nearest city: Mercer Island, WA
Median home sale price: $2,725,000
Average 1-bedroom rent: $2,646
Population: 5,000
Homes for sale in Mercer Island
Apartments for rent in Mercer Island

Since there are so many cities surrounding Lake Washington, we decided to include another famous area, Mercer Island. Mercer Island is an island located in the middle of Lake Washington, with Seattle to the west and Bellevue to the east, offering views of the skylines. There are several parks along the waterfront, like Luther Burbank Park, which has an amphitheater, trails, dog parks, and an event center. 

9. Lake Wenatchee (Leavenworth)

Nearest city: Leavenworth, WA
Median home sale price: $1,887,500
Population: 2,400
Homes for sale in Leavenworth
Apartments for rent in Leavenworth

Lake Wenatchee is located in the Wenatchee National Forest, and is popular year-round. For example, in the winter months you can sled and cross-country ski, while the summer months offer camping, swimming, kayaking, and boating. While there aren’t any towns along the shores of the lake, you can find the stunning town of Leavenworth located 23 miles south. A Bavarian-style village, Leavenworth is filled with charm, German-style beer halls, local restaurants, and a reindeer farm. This area hosts events throughout the year, from live music to Christmas markets, so there’s plenty to explore in and around the area.

10. Moses Lake (Moses Lake)

Nearest city: Moses Lake, WA
Median home sale price: $327,650
Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,210
Population: 23,000
Homes for sale in Moses Lake
Apartments for rent in Moses Lake

The final lake on our list of the best lake towns in Washington to live on is Moses Lake. Located in central Washington, Moses Lake is a great spot for boating and enjoying the warm summer weather. The city has plenty to do as well, from exploring the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center or the Japanese Peace Garden to checking out the restaurants downtown and enjoying the Grant County Fair during the summer. Moses Lake has plenty of options for those looking for the lakeside lifestyle.

Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the lakes in Washington. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during April 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com April 2024. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.