Lake Melakwa Backpacking Guide: Camping at One of Washington's Best Alpine Lakes

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Updated: July 2026

One of the reasons I love living in Washington is that you don’t have to venture deep into the wilderness to experience an incredible alpine backpacking trip. Some of the state’s most memorable overnight hikes are surprisingly accessible – and Lake Melakwa is one of them.

After backpacking throughout Washington for the past few years, I consider Lake Melakwa one of my favorite beginner-friendly overnights. I first hiked it as a day hike and immediately knew I’d be back with a backpack. Tucked away near Snoqualmie Pass in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, it offers everything I look for in a backpacking trip: a challenging but manageable climb, reliable water sources, dramatic granite peaks, and a beautiful alpine lake that’s well worth spending the night beside.

We kicked off this year’s backpacking season here, and it reminded me why it’s such a classic Washington backpacking destination. If you’re just getting into overnight hiking, I’d also recommend reading my Best Beginner Backpacking Trips in Washington guide, where I compare trails like Lake Melakwa with other great first-time backpacking options. And if you’re planning a bigger road trip, my 1 Week Washington Itinerary includes several of my favorite hikes and national parks across the state.

Trail Stats

Trailhead: Denny Creek Trailhead

Distance: About 8.5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: Roughly 2,600 feet

Time: 5–7 hours as a day hike, or one night for backpackers

Parking: Northwest Forest Pass required

Wilderness Area: Alpine Lakes Wilderness (campfires prohibited)

Water: Multiple reliable water sources (always filter before drinking)

Difficulty: Moderate

The Hike

Lake Melakwa, beautiful blue alpine lake in Washington. Great for a beginner backpacking trip in Washington

We intentionally visited on a weekday, hoping to avoid the weekend crowds. The parking lot was still busy since the trail shares its first section with the popular Franklin Falls hike, but once we continued toward Lake Melakwa, the crowds thinned dramatically.

The first mile and a half is a relatively gentle climb through forest before reaching the famous river slide—a natural rock waterslide that’s become one of Snoqualmie Pass’s most popular summer swimming spots. Even if you don’t jump in, it’s a refreshing place to cool off on the way back.

From there, the trail becomes steadily steeper. Large boulder fields begin appearing, reflecting the afternoon sun and making this section noticeably hotter than the shaded forest below. If you’re hiking during the summer, an early morning start makes a huge difference.

Around the two-mile mark you’ll catch views of Keekwulee Falls. While some hikers scramble toward the top of the falls, the cliffs are extremely exposed, so I wouldn’t recommend venturing close to the edge.

One thing I particularly appreciate about this hike is the abundance of water. You’ll cross a creek around 2.8 miles that’s perfect for filtering water before climbing higher. Roughly another mile later you’ll pass a beautiful waterfall with another opportunity to refill before tackling the final rocky switchbacks to Lake Melakwa.

Camping at Lake Melakwa

The first shoreline you reach is the day-use area, which can feel busy during summer afternoons with hikers swimming, relaxing, and eating lunch.

Backpackers should continue left around the lake, where the designated camping area sits tucked beneath the surrounding peaks. There are roughly ten established campsites, although they can fill quickly on summer weekends.

We were fortunate enough to find a quieter site tucked toward the back overlooking a small pond. As the day hikers gradually headed back down the trail, the entire basin transformed. The wind settled, the crowds disappeared, and Lake Melakwa turned an incredible deep blue beneath the surrounding granite walls. It’s moments like these that remind me why spending the night is often so much more rewarding than simply hiking in and out.

Wildlife was minimal during our stay. We only spotted a few curious mice darting between the rocks. Overnight, something even managed to drag Millie’s leash partway toward the boulder field – a good reminder to keep anything with food smells packed away.

My Favorite Part

Ironically, my favorite part of the trip wasn’t actually at the lake!

On the hike back down, exhausted from the heat, we stopped once more at the river slide and soaked our feet in the icy mountain water. It instantly cooled us down and made the final mile and a half feel surprisingly easy.

After plenty of Washington hikes, I’ve learned that a quick alpine creek soak can be one of the best recovery tricks there is.

Water Sources

One reason I recommend Lake Melakwa for newer backpackers is the consistent access to water.

Mile 1.5 — River slide
Mile 2.8 — Creek crossing
Mile 3.5 — Waterfall
Mile 4.25 — Lake Melakwa

Bring a water filter rather than carrying your entire water supply from the trailhead.

Tips for Backpacking Lake Melakwa

Weekdays offer a much quieter backpacking experience than weekends.
Start early during summer to avoid hiking through the hottest part of the day.
Bring a water filter since there are multiple reliable refill points.
Plan for a slower pace if you’re carrying your first overnight pack.
Campfires are prohibited throughout the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Save time to cool off at the river slide on the hike back.

What’s In My Pack?

I personally sleep with a Tiger Wall UL2 tent from Big Agnes, and I couldn’t sleep without their insulated pad either (perfect for side sleeping!). I also rarely go anywhere in the backcountry without my Garmin InReach satellite device. Yes, some phones now have satellite capabilities – but in my opinion, they don’t hold a flame to the Garmin inReach.

Check out more of what’s in my pack on my curated gear list.

Final Thoughts

Lake Melakwa continues to be one of my favorite backpacking trips near Seattle because it strikes a great balance between challenge and reward. The climb is enough to make you feel like you’ve earned the views, but the mileage remains approachable for hikers looking to try their first overnight adventure.

If you’re building confidence with backpacking, I’d start here before moving on to longer alpine routes. For even more ideas, check out my Best Beginner Backpacking Trips in Washington, where I compare several of my favorite first-time overnight hikes across the state.

Planning a bigger Washington adventure? My 1 Week Washington Itinerary combines Seattle, Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park, and some of the state’s best hikes into one unforgettable road trip. If you’re focusing on Washington’s national parks, you’ll also find detailed guides to Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park to help you plan your visit.

The rich blue hue when the sun shines onto the main lake 🙂

Millie’s favorite spot – staring at me setting up our tent for the night!

Hi, I’m Amber —

A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and years of traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring destinations across Asia and America through hiking, scenic landscapes, local food, wildlife encounters, and underwater adventures. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.