Overview
Rattlesnake Lake sits just outside the hydrologic boundaries of the Cedar River Watershed near North Bend. The lake is close to 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, and the Rattlesnake Lake Trail. There is parking access to miles of State Park and King County Park along with King County biking, hiking, and horse trails. Seattle Public Utilities owns and manages the recreational area as a non-development buffer. This protects the watershed land surrounding the Lake. The watershed supplies 65% of the Seattle region’s unfiltered drinking water, which is distributed to nearly 800,000 people. Rattlesnake Lake, spring-fed by the nearby Cedar River, is not used for drinking water.
Activities
There is fun for the entire family: picnicking, hiking, photography, swimming, kayaking, fishing, biking, and waterfalls. Have a picnic and enjoy the nearby water activities and hiking. There is swimming and paddle boarding. Hike up to Rattlesnake Ledge and see amazing views of the Lake, Cascade Mountains, and the Snoqualmie Valley. Cedar River Watershed has a dozen or so really interesting tours into places closed to the general public. Several of the tours only occur once per year. Dogs are OK everywhere on leash.
Rules and Regulations
- Open dawn to dusk, year-round. Parking is free.
- No camping or open fires.
- Private or exclusive events (gatherings, celebrations, weddings, etc.) of 30 or more people are prohibited.
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), such as Quadcopters, drones, and model airplanes are prohibited.
- Portable toilets and lakefront picnic areas. No drinking water.
- Water is available at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center.
- Boat launch: Self-propelled and electric boat motors only.
- Swimming: No life guards, swim at your own risk.
- Fishing: Year-round, Washington State selective gear rules apply.
- Hunting and gathering is prohibited.
- Absolutely No fireworks.
- No feeding wildlife.
- No commercial activity.
Drone video of Rattlesnake Lake
Rattlesnake Lake Trail
The trail is a 3/4 mile hike to the Cedar River Watershed Education Center. The hike is very easy and is accessible by foot and bike. The trail is also ADA accessible. It is located on the southeast side of the lake and is a mix of paved and packed gravel loop trails that access the lake, parking, and Cedar River Watershed Center.
Here is a map of the trail: View map
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Other Trail Access from Rattlesnake Lake
Rattlesnake Lake is a primary access point for the following trails:
Rattlesnake Ledge Trail (leading to Rattlesnake Ledge, Rattlesnake Ridge, and Rattlesnake Mountain)
Palouse to Cascades trail (formerly the Iron Horse trail). Cedar Falls, just above Rattlesnake Lake, is the western terminus of the Palouse to Cascades trail
Snoqualmie Valley Trail. Rattlesnake Lake parking is the eastern terminus of this trail which runs northwest through North Bend, Snoqualmie, Fall City, Carnation, all the way to Duvall along the Snoqualmie River valley. Many marathon routes pass through the Rattlesnake Lake area from Hyak on their way to North Bend.
Getting There and Parking
From North Bend, either get on I-90 from SR202 (Exit 31) and drive east on I-90 1 mile to exit 32 for 436th Avenue SE. Turn right onto 436th Avenue SE, also signed as Cedar Falls Road SE. Proceed about four miles down the road to the Rattlesnake Lake parking lot on the right. Especially in summer and on weekends, parking fills up quickly so plan to arrive by 930AM to make sure you get a spot.
From downtown North Bend, you can also head East on North Bend Way and at the traffic circle go right on Cedar Falls Way. When it hits 436th Ave, turn right and cross over I-90 and proceed straight to the destination along 436th/Cedar Falls Rd.