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Best Lake Hikes in Idaho

The directory currently contains 10 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Idaho. Their average mapped distance is 9.2 km and average recorded ascent is 400 m (1,312 ft); the longest route in the set is 33.0 km.

This subset represents 10% of the 105 quality-checked routes in Idaho. Its average distance is 9.2 km, compared with 41.3 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 400 m (1,312 ft), versus 907 m (2,976 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

Every route in this set carries a lake tag in the directory. Whether the mapped line reaches the shore and whether swimming is allowed must be checked locally. Within this set, 0 routes (0%) are rated easy, 2 (20%) are rated hard or expert, and 0 (0%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

1.9 km

Goose Creek Falls Trail

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

45 m

Goose Creek Falls Trail

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

0 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Moderate

Goose Creek Falls Trail

Idaho · United States

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
45 m
Typical duration
27 min
  • Waterfall
  • Lake
  • River
Moderate

Ardeth Lake Trail

Idaho · United States

Distance
3.9 km
/ 2.4 mi
Elevation gain
251 m
Typical duration
1 hr 11 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Moderate

Ten Lake Basin Trail

Idaho · United States

Distance
6.0 km
/ 3.7 mi
Elevation gain
424 m
Typical duration
1 hr 53 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
Moderate

Lake Serene Trail

Idaho · United States

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
214 m
Typical duration
59 min
  • Lake
  • Forest
Moderate

Trail Creek Lakes Trail

Idaho · United States

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
13 m
Typical duration
14 min
  • Lake
  • River
Moderate

Goat Lake Trail

Idaho · United States

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
302 m
Typical duration
52 min
  • Lake

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Iron Creek-Stanley Lake TrailIdaho23.4 km723 m6 hr 13 minHardJuly to September
Alice Lake - Redfish Lake TrailIdaho33.0 km1,168 m9 hr 10 minExpertJuly to September
North Fork Baron-Sawtooth Lake TrailIdaho11.0 km154 m2 hr 32 minModerateJuly to September
Goose Creek Falls TrailIdaho1.9 km45 m27 minModerateJune to October
Ardeth Lake TrailIdaho3.9 km251 m1 hr 11 minModerateJuly to September
Ten Lake Basin TrailIdaho6.0 km424 m1 hr 53 minModerateJuly to September
Lake Serene TrailIdaho3.2 km214 m59 minModerateJune to October
Trail Creek Lakes TrailIdaho1.1 km13 m14 minModerateJuly to September
Goat Lake TrailIdaho2.0 km302 m52 minModerateJuly to September
Paddy Flat Lake Fork Pack TrailIdaho6.2 km708 m2 hr 21 minModerateJuly to September

Iron Creek-Stanley Lake Trail, Alice Lake - Redfish Lake Trail, North Fork Baron-Sawtooth Lake Trail currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

Read article →

Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

Read article →

Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

Read article →

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Other shortlists covering the same area or the same kind of terrain.

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