Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area & Trails

The Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area is a day-use area located outside the hydrologic boundaries of the Cedar River Municipal Watershed near North Bend. The lake is located near Interstate 90, exit 32, about 3 miles southeast of North Bend and about 35 miles east of Seattle. The recreation area includes the 111-acre lake, picnic areas, the Rattlesnake Ledge Trail, and parking access to miles of State Park and King County hiking, biking, and horse trails. The recreation area is owned and managed by Seattle Public Utilities as a non-development buffer to the protected municipal watershed lands. The watershed supplies 65% of the Seattle region's unfiltered drinking water to nearly 800,000 people. Rattlesnake Lake is not used for drinking water and is spring-fed by the nearby Cedar River.

Rattlesnake Ledge Trail and Rattlesnake Mountain Trail

Beginning at Rattlesnake Lake, the first 2-mile section to Rattlesnake Ledge Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the region. Expect to encounter many hikers and dogs on the trail and use extreme caution around exposed cliffs and steep drops. The Rattlesnake Mountain Trail is cooperatively maintained by Seattle Public Utilities, King County and Washington Department of Natural Resources with help from the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust trail crews and volunteers. The Rattlesnake Mountain Trail continues west, gaining elevation, for 9 more miles to Snoqualmie Point Park. The Rattlesnake Mountain is also known as Rattlesnake Ridge on many maps.

• Conditions: Expect winter conditions through April. Be prepared and always carry the 10 Essentials. Be advised weekend trail use is heavy year-round and parking is limited at Rattlesnake Lake.
• Length: 2 miles to Ledge and 11 miles across Rattlesnake Mountain to Snoqualmie Point Park
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Users: Foot only, No Fires, No camping
• Rattlesnake Lake Trail & Ledge Map (PDF)
• Rattlesnake Mountain Brochure & Map (PDF)