Hike to Bench and Snow Lakes

View of Mount Rainier from Bench Lake

NPS Photo

Season: Summer Only (June - September) 
The trailhead is located along Stevens Canyon Road, about 1.5 miles east of Reflection Lakes. Stevens Canyon Road is open to vehicles during the summer season only, typically June-September.   

Bench Lake is a short hike to a subalpine lake with views of Mount Rainier. It gets its name from the flat area around the lake called “The Bench.” This relatively flat, shelf-like landform on the west side of Stevens Canyon was created by a lava flow that erupted about 91,000 years ago. 

Snow Lake is tucked against the rocky Tatoosh Range below Unicorn Peak. Snow Lake may have been named because the cirque in which it lies is filled by icy meltwater from the snowfields of the Tatoosh Range or because snow often rings the lake until late summer. 

The trailhead is located one and a half miles east of the Reflection Lakes parking area on the south side of the road. The trail is a succession of ups and downs as it crosses a series of low ridges. The path first reaches Bench Lake after 0.75 mile, then continues another 0.5 mile to Snow Lake. Snow Lake has two backcountry camping sites, a bear pole, and a toilet. A wilderness permit is required for overnight camping. The trail, especially around Snow Lake, can have patches of snow well into late June or even July. 

Trail Statistics:  

• Distance, round trip: 2.5 miles
• Elevation gain: 700 feet 
• Hiking time, round trip: 2 hours 
• Wilderness Camps: Snow Lake 

Rules & Regulations  

• Pets are not allowed on trails   
• No campfires (backcountry stoves are okay)
• No bicycles on trails 
• Pack out trash  
• Do not feed or disturb wildlife  
• Do not disturb any natural, cultural, or archeological features  
• Permits are required for all overnight wilderness use in the park, and for travel on glaciers above 10,000 feet 

Details

Duration

2 Hours

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Park entrance fee required

Location

1.5 miles east of Reflection Lakes

The Bench and Snow Lake Trailhead is located approximately 3 miles east of the Paradise Road along Stevens Canyon Road, 1.5 miles east of Reflection Lakes.

Reservations

No

Season

Summer, Fall

The trailhead is located along Stevens Canyon Road, about 1.5 miles east of Reflection Lakes. Stevens Canyon Road is open to vehicles during the summer season only, typically June-September. While the trailhead is outside of the construction closure area, be sure to check the Stevens Canyon Road Rehabilitation Project page before you plan to travel on Stevens Canyon Road as sections may be closed on the weekdays during the summer.

Accessibility Information

The dirt trail has a succession of ups and downs as it crosses a series of low ridges, with sections of log steps. There is a short section of the spur trail down to Bench Lake that is quite steep. Getting to Snow Lake Camp requires crossing a log bridge across a log jam near the outflow of the lake.