🌤 Weather at Anderson Lake State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40–63 °F | 51–73 °F | 41–68 °F | 38–49 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Port Townsend, 7 mi away, elevation 100 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Anderson Lake State Park sits in the rolling farm country of the Quimper Peninsula near Chimacum, in Jefferson County, Washington. Cedar, fir and alder wrap a freshwater lake and marsh, and the trails around them are shared by walkers, cyclists and riders on horseback. It is a day-use park — there is no camping.
Check the water before you go. Anderson Lake is known for toxic algae blooms, and Washington State Parks closes all water activities when toxin levels rise. Exposure can cause serious illness or death in people and pets. The park was also closed for construction from 3 August to 30 October 2026 — confirm current status on the official page before driving out.
Quick Facts
| State | Washington |
| County | Jefferson County |
| Address | 1061 Anderson Lake Road, Chimacum, WA 98325 |
| Hours | Summer 8:00 a.m. to dusk; closed 1 November through 31 March |
| Fees | Discover Pass required ($45/year or $10/day); watercraft launch $7/day |
| Use | Day use only — no camping |
| Boating | Non-motorized craft and electric motors only |
Hours, fees and facilities verified against the official Washington State Parks page on 9 August 2026.
Location & Getting There
The park lies between Chimacum and Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula, about 15 minutes from the Port Townsend ferry terminal. Coordinates are 48.0201, -122.8086.
Things to Do
Trails loop through second-growth forest and skirt the freshwater marsh at the lake’s edge — the kind of quiet, unspectacular walking that rewards patience rather than a camera. The route is open to hikers, mountain bikes and horses, so expect to share it.
When the lake is open, it holds trout and draws paddlers; only non-motorized boats and electric motors are permitted, which keeps it quiet. Birdwatching around the marsh is the steadiest draw, and wildlife viewing is good early and late in the day.
Wildlife & Nature
The mix here is cedar, fir and alder over a freshwater marsh — a small, contained ecosystem rather than a headline landscape. The marsh margin is the place to stand still: waterfowl and songbirds work the reeds, and deer move through the forest edges at dawn.
The algae that closes the lake is part of the same picture. Warm, still, nutrient-rich water produces blooms that can turn the surface opaque green; the closures are frequent enough that visitors should treat open water as the exception rather than the rule.
Explore More Washington State Parks
Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Washington guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Anderson Lake State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 8 ft maximum leash required; pets must be under physical control
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on designated swim beaches
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed inside vacation houses but are permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins and yurts (e.g. Grayland Beach, Seaquest, Ike Kinswa — Cape Disappointment does NOT allow pets in its yurts), typically up to two pets, with a pet fee
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $15 per night pet fee in pet-friendly cabins/yurts
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Director-designated off-leash areas are exempt from the leash rule and are conspicuously posted
Are dogs allowed at Anderson Lake State Park?
Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parks.wa.gov. More: Washington state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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