Square Lake
🏆🏆🏆 Cascade Mountain Lake — Small mountain lake surrounded by old-growth forest in the Cascade Range foothills
Square Lake State Park is a small mountain lake in the Cascade Range foothills — surrounded by dense Pacific Northwest forest of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and bigleaf maple. The Cascade Range runs 700 miles from British Columbia to Northern California, containing 13 major volcanic peaks including Mount Rainier (14,411 feet — the most glaciated peak in the lower 48). The Cascades divide Washington into two dramatically different climates — the wet, forested west side (80–120 inches of rain) and the dry, semi-arid east side (6–15 inches).
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Cascade Foothills, WA |
| Entry Fee | Discover Pass required |
| Range | Cascades — 700mi, 13 volcanoes! |
| Climate | 120in rain west vs 6in east! |
About Square Lake
Square Lake is a small, secluded park around a 7-acre lake in Mason County on the southern Olympic Peninsula. Despite its name, the lake is more oval than square. The spring-fed lake is surrounded by second-growth forest and offers a quiet alternative to the more popular recreational lakes in the area.
Things to Do
Swimming, fishing for stocked rainbow trout, picnicking in the forest, and small-boat paddling (non-motorized). The park’s quiet setting makes it a peaceful retreat. Nearby Olympic National Forest and Hood Canal offer additional recreation.
Insider Tips
Kitsap Peninsula quiet: Square Lake offers peaceful fishing and nature observation on the Kitsap Peninsula. Pro tip: The Kitsap Peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides — Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and Admiralty Inlet — yet remains surprisingly rural and forested. Naval heritage: The peninsula hosts major naval installations — the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Naval Base Kitsap support the Pacific Fleet.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Fishing and swimming. Fall: Quiet lake and foliage. Spring: Trout stocking and wildflowers. Winter: Mild Pacific Northwest winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What military presence is on the Kitsap Peninsula?
The Kitsap Peninsula hosts some of the US Navy’s most important facilities — Naval Base Kitsap (home to aircraft carriers and Trident submarines), Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (the Pacific Fleet’s primary maintenance facility), and Naval Undersea Warfare Center. The military is the peninsula’s largest employer — the strategic location in protected Puget Sound waters makes it ideal for naval operations.
Wildlife & Nature
Square Lake — a day-use area in the Cascade foothills — offers freshwater lake recreation in a forested setting. The lake supports rainbow trout fishing. Osprey and bald eagles hunt from perches. Great blue herons wade the shallows. The surrounding forest of Douglas fir supports black-tailed deer and varied thrushes.
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Cascade foothill towns provide services. The area offers access to multiple hiking trails and mountain recreation opportunities in the Central Cascades.
