Goat Lake Day Tour
Experience our one-of-a-kind Goat Lake Tour, where you’ll hike one of Washington’s most beautiful forest trails before paddling beneath towering Cascade peaks on a breathtaking alpine lake. As our flagship location, it’s the ultimate way to experience the beauty, solitude, and wilderness of the Washington Cascades – all in a day.
Because why just hike to an alpine lake when you can paddle it!
Select photo credits: Nikolas Parks of Frame Focus Photography, and Cynthia Wong
Goat Lake Tour Info
Goat Lake Tour Description
Your Goat Lake adventure begins with a stunning scenic drive along the Mountain Loop Highway before meeting your guide at the trailhead. After getting fitted with your hiking and paddling gear, you’ll set off into one of the most beautiful sections of the Washington Cascades, where an enchanting forest, pristine waters, and designated wilderness await.
The journey follows a lush trail alongside a rushing mountain creek beneath a towering forest canopy. Along the way, you’ll pass abundant flora, diverse tree groves, and cascading waterfalls while your guide shares stories about the area’s wildlife, ecology, and natural history. It’s our favorite hike of any tour we offer—and for good reason.
When you arrive at Goat Lake, you’ll enjoy a fresh, fully-provided lunch while your guide prepares your alpine lake kayaks (i.e. packrafts). After a brief safety and paddling lesson, you’ll launch onto the calm alpine waters for an unforgettable experience.
Surrounded by towering granite peaks, waterfalls, and pristine wilderness, Goat Lake offers truly one of the most spectacular alpine settings in Washington. From the water, you’ll experience views and perspectives that hikers on shore never get to see while enjoying the peaceful solitude that makes this lake so special. Throughout the paddle, your guide will lead you to the lake’s most scenic locations, point out wildlife and unique natural features, capture photos of your adventure, and leave plenty of time to relax, explore, and simply soak in the beauty and tranquility around you.
After an unforgettable afternoon in the wilderness, we’ll make our way back down the trail, giving you one last opportunity to enjoy the incredible forest before returning to the trailhead at the end of an amazing day.
Photo credit: Cynthia Wong
Goat Lake Tour Additional Info
- Trip Duration | Full Day
- Season | May – October
- ~
- Ages | 14 – 65
- Max. Party Size | 6 guests
- ~
- Hiking Level | Upper Moderate
- Hike Distance | 4.3 mi (one way)
- Hike Elevation Gain | 1,400 ft
- Pack Weight | 20 lb.
- ~
- Price | $179 / pp
- Departures | All days
- Start Time | 8:00 am
- Meeting Location
- Trailhead Location
- ~1h 50 min. from Seattle
- Trailhead Location
- Our flagship hike-and-paddle location
- Our most scenic hiking trail through the Washington Cascades
- Lush forest, waterfalls, and a rushing mountain creek
- Paddle one of Washington’s most breathtaking alpine lakes
- Towering mountain backdrop and peaceful wilderness setting
- More remote with fewer crowds
- Small-group experience
- Professional guide and all gear provided
Select photo credits: Nikolas Parks of Frame Focus Photography, and Cynthia Wong
This tour is perfect for moderate to experienced hikers looking for a full day immersed in the Washington Cascades. If you’re ready for a longer adventure that rewards every step with lush forests, waterfalls, towering peaks, and the rare opportunity to paddle an extremely impressive alpine lake, this is the tour for you.
Our Goat Lake Tour is our premier day hike-and-paddle adventure and the consensus favorite location for a reason. Combining our most scenic hike with one of Washington’s most dreamy alpine lakes, it offers an unforgettable wilderness experience for those looking to spend an entire day exploring one of the most beautiful areas of the Cascades.
- Professional, certified guide
- Packraft, paddle, PFD, and all paddling equipment
- Backpack and all hiking equipment needed for the tour
- Introductory paddling instruction
- Guided hike
- Guided alpine lake paddling experience
- Fresh, fully provided lunch
- Snacks and water refills
- Safety equipment
- Professional photos of your adventure
- Optional add-on
- Parking pass
- All permits and fees
- Transportation to the trailhead
- Hiking shoes
- Comfortable hiking clothing and layers
- Water
- Additional snacks (optional)
- Water shoes or sandals
- Swimsuit (optional)
- Guide gratuities
- 20% is customary
After booking, you’ll receive a detailed packing list with everything you’ll need to prepare for your adventure.
Reviews
FAQs
Check out our frequently asked questions below for answers to common questions about our Goat Lake Tour:
Where do we meet?
To give you the most flexibility, we meet directly at the Goat Lake Trailhead, where your guide will have all of your hiking and paddling gear ready to go before beginning the adventure.
What should I bring?
We do our best to make your adventure as easy as possible, especially for those traveling or new to hiking and alpine lake paddling. That’s why we provide all of the hiking and paddling equipment you’ll need, along with a fresh, fully provided lunch.
All you need to bring is appropriate hiking clothing and footwear, water, and any additional snacks you’d like.
After booking, we’ll also send you a detailed packing list so you know exactly what to bring and can arrive prepared and ready for an amazing day.
Can I bring my own gear?
We carefully select and customize our hiking and paddling gear to keep it lightweight, comfortable, and well-suited for our unique hike-and-paddle adventures. For that reason, we recommend using the gear we provide, as it’s designed to give you the best experience.
If you’d prefer to bring your own gear, just reach out before your tour and we’ll be happy to discuss whether it’s a good fit.
Do I need to worry about parking?
- A parking pass is required for this trailhead. If you already have a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, you’re welcome to use it.
- If you don’t have one, no problem—we’ll provide a parking pass free of charge. After booking, we’ll ask about your parking pass in a short pre-trip form so we can have everything ready for your arrival.
How much will I need to carry?
For our Alpine Lake Kayaking Day Tours, guests should be comfortable carrying a pack weighing approximately 20 pounds for the duration of the hike.
If you’re unsure whether this tour is the right fit for your fitness level, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to recommend another tour or help you prepare with a training plan so you can confidently enjoy the adventure!
Still have questions? Give us a call at 206-504-3588 or reach out anytime—we’d be happy to help you choose the Alpine Lake Kayaking tour that’s the best fit for your adventure.
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
Book Your Goat Lake Tour
Ready to experience one of Washington’s most unique adventures? Reserve your spot today and start planning your unforgettable hike-and-paddle experience.
Have Questions?
We’re here to help! If you have any questions about our Goat Lake Tour or want help deciding if it’s the right adventure for you, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Explore Our Other Adventures
Looking for a different experience? Explore our other one-of-a-kind alpine lake hiking and paddling tours to find the adventure that’s right for you.
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