Skip to content
2026-10-03, Mount Shuksan from Picture Lake (Heather Meadows Recreation Area), 000000📷 Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick

Picture Lake

Glacier, WA

Views

A small lake at Heather Meadows whose surface reflects the glaciers of Mount Shuksan. A short level loop circles the shore; it is reached by SR-542 and stays snowy until early summer.

Nearest town
Glacier, WA
Category
Scenic viewpoints
GPS
48.8657, -121.6780
Editor's pick
★

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway – Larrabee State Park, gate© Steven Pavlov · CC BY-SA 4.0
542
Scenic byways

Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway

92 mi7 stops2 days

Nearby

Artist Point, Deming, United States (Unsplash biwr8RaLNfU)© Patrick Fore patrickian4 · CC0
Views

Artist Point

Glacier, WA
Nooksack Falls – ISS028-E-45616 - View of Earth© Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center · Public domain
Nature

Nooksack Falls

Glacier, WA
Diablo Lake Overlook – Diablo Lake, United States (Unsplash)© Zoe Deal zdeal · CC0
Editor's pick
Views

Diablo Lake Overlook

Newhalem, WA
Larrabee State Park, gate© Steven Pavlov · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Larrabee State Park

Bellingham, WA

Campsites nearby

  • Park Creek CampgroundCampsite
    9 mi from Picture Lake · 12 pitches
    CaravansToiletsDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Swift Creek CampgroundCampsite
    9 mi from Picture Lake
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Shannon Creek CampgroundCampsite
    9 mi from Picture Lake
    CaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Panorama Point CampgroundCampsite
    10 mi from Picture Lake
    CaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Douglas Fir CampgroundCampsite
    11 mi from Picture Lake
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Horseshoe Cove CampgroundCampsite
    13 mi from Picture Lake
    CaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Washington · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Picture Lake?

Picture Lake is in Glacier, WA, at GPS 48.8657, -121.6780. It is about 24 mi from Newhalem.

Can you camp near Picture Lake?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Silver Fir Campground, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 20 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Picture Lake?

Picture Lake is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway.

What is there to see near Picture Lake?

Places worth a stop nearby: Artist Point (1 mi), Nooksack Falls (7 mi), Diablo Lake Overlook (28 mi) and Larrabee State Park (40 mi).

When is the best time to visit Picture Lake?

The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)