Battle Ground Lake State Park

Introduction of Battle Ground Lake State Park

Battle Ground Lake, a spectacular water-filled volcanic crater located in Battle Ground Lake State Park, has long been a popular swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and camping destination in Washington state. Battle Ground Lake State Park, formerly a private resort, is now a 280-acre popular public destination for area families and fishermen.

This state park and campground, located just outside the northwestern town of Battle Ground and a short drive from I-5 and I-205, is open year-round for simple day-use visits as well as longer RV and tent camping stays. The heavily wooded park is surrounded by horseback riding and hiking trails.

Two loop trails directly ring the lake and are popular stops for on-leash dog walkers and mountain bike riders. Though swimmers can make the park a bit crowded on summer weekends, by fall the entire place is quiet and serene, and hikers frequently come across birds, deer, and other wildlife while circumnavigating the lake.

For generations, the lake has been stocked with fish, and it has become a popular spot for trout fishing in the fall and winter. Non-motorized boats are permitted on the lake, which has a 60-foot boat dock and a small boat launch.

During the summer, the swim area and day-use picnic areas are popular with families with children. The water is shallow and warms up nicely during periods of sunshine. Giant logs frequently drift by the shore, keeping the kids entertained for hours. Large sandy and grassy areas border the lake, allowing parents to keep an eye on those in the water while also drying off in the sun before taking off.

Best of all, this northwest park is a breathtakingly beautiful place to reconnect with nature. Battle Ground Lake State Park’s towering evergreen forests attract both professional and amateur photographers. Because the area is a temperate rain forest, moss-covered Douglas firs, mountain hemlocks, and lodgepole pines grow much fuller and taller than in other parts of the continent. The short summers are dry and warm, but the fall, winter, and spring are rainy and overcast, giving the Pacific Northwest its lush tropical appearance.

Battle Ground Lake State Park Camping

This small campground has 35 standard campsites, including some pull-through sites that can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long. Six of the sites are RV-only, with 20- and 30-amp electric-only hookups. There are 15 primitive walk-in, tent-only campsites that require a short hike to reach. In addition, there are two primitive equestrian campgrounds with horse stalls.

For your convenience, there are full restrooms, coin showers, drinking water, and a dump station nearby. In addition to the swim area and boat launch at the lake, there are picnic tables, fire rings, some covered day-use shelters, and a play area.

Battle Ground Lake State Park’s rustic cabins are nestled among the massive Douglas firs and are just a short walk from the lake. Cabins sleep five people, have heat and electricity, and a large covered porch. For an additional fee, guests can use the picnic table, fire grill, deck, and RV pad outside. Restrooms and coin-operated showers are a short walk away. The cabins do not allow smoking or pets.

Battle Ground Lake State Park Activities

Hiking

The woods around Battle Ground Lake are beautiful, and two adjoining loop trails provide easy access. Each trail circles the lake in about a mile and a half. One trail stays close to the shore, navigating rocks, tree roots, and logs while offering great views of the lake. The second loop, which is higher on the hillside above the lake, is a little more challenging than the first. All year, both are popular with families and dog walkers. Because of the obstacles, small children will almost certainly need to be carried.

Fishing

Battle Ground Lake is a beautiful small lake ideal for relaxing with a fishing pole. For over a century, the lake has been stocked with fish, and it is well known for producing large rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, grass carp, and crappie. Largemouth bass and bluegill are also plentiful. A Washington state fishing licence allows for two-pole fishing. A dock and a small boat launch are available, but only non-motorized boats are permitted.

Padding

Battle Ground Lake is ideal for a stress-free day on the water in your kayak or paddleboard. The calm, crystal clear water attracts paddlers from all over the area, and if you don’t have your own, you can easily rent one. You can reserve a kayak or paddleboard online and receive a PIN number to pick up your paddleboard from a Paddleez locker located right inside the park. When you’re finished, simply return it to the locker and return to your RV.

Photography

Photographers, both amateur and professional, visit Battle Ground Lake State Park all year to capture the lush landscape. The park’s landscape is dominated by towering Douglas firs, lodgepole pines, moss-covered Alaskan cedars, and even a few mountain hemlocks. This park is idyllically located at the base of the western Cascades. So, whether you want to photograph a bald eagle perched on a mountain hemlock or an evergreen forest reflected in the glass-like lake, pack your best camera and head to Battle Ground Lake State Park.

Swimming

The swim area at Battle Ground Lake is nearly perfect, with an inviting sandy area close to the water and a large grassy section above. The water is relatively shallow near the shore and drops off gradually. When the heat and humidity rise, families and children from Battle Ground and Vancouver flock to the lake to cool off. Keep the kids busy all day while you read a book on the grass – the ideal summer day.

Battle Ground Lake State Park Location

Battle Ground Lake State Park is easily accessible via I-5, making it a short drive from several northwest cities worth visiting on your RV trip to the Pacific Coastal region. The park is only about an hour and a half south of Olympia and 30 minutes northeast of Vancouver, Washington. It’s also only a 40-minute drive from Portland, Oregon, a popular tourist destination. The town of Battle Ground is only a 15-minute drive from the park, where you can get any groceries or supplies for your RV camping trip to the park, or you can spend an evening in town at a local restaurant before returning to the trailer.

Once inside the park, the roads are suitable for small trailers and RVs. Because there are only six power-equipped campsites, it is best to make your reservation well in advance.

Parking

Parking is available

Public Transport

Public Transport is not available