Thomas Lake Trail
Thomas Lake Trail Map

Thomas Lake Trail

Gifford Pinchot National Forest
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Thomas Lake Trail

Thomas Lake Trail

Distance: 3.8mi
Elevation: 709ft
Time: 1.5-2.5h

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Thomas Lake is a fantastic spot for a weekend getaway, offering nice backcountry camping spots all around the lakeshore and an easy trail in. This hike is 3.8mi long and rated as easy, making it a good choice for all skill levels. This guide covers the entire distance of the trail, but if you just want to get to Thomas Lake and back, it’s less than half as long.

Note that the mosquitoes on this hike can be truly incessant in the early-mid summertime. Try visiting in August when they tend to be less bothersome and bring a very potent spray. A hike in the fall eliminates this issue and offers great foliage color.

Thomas Lake Trail Map

Getting there

The trailhead for the Thomas Lake Trail is at the end of Forest Road 65.

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About

Backcountry Campground

Thomas Lake Backcountry

When to do

May-October

Pets allowed

Yes - On Leash

Family friendly

Yes

Route Signage

Average

Crowd Levels

High

Route Type

Out and back


Thomas Lake Trail
Elevation Graph


Thomas Lake Trail Description

Thomas Lake is a relaxing, beautiful spot with lots of backcountry camping to enjoy. It’s great for a day hike too, with an easy trail suitable for beginners. Note that if you want to camp, you’ll need to pick a designated spot with a numbered post.

This hike is plagued by mosquitoes in early and mid-summer. Bring a potent spray. We recommend visiting in August for summer trips and October for fall trips when the bugs are less bothersome and the foliage starts to turn red and golden.

Begin from the trailhead. The route meanders uphill before trailing through a couple of lazy switchbacks. Thomas Lake, Heather Lake, and Dee Lake will appear ahead. This guide covers the entire Thomas Lake Trail to its end where it reaches a T-junction, passing Naha Lake, Brader Lake, and Eunice Lake (which also has camping). You can hike the whole trail or just stop at Thomas Lake depending on your plans. To return, retrace your steps.

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