Top 8 Lakes in Hoover Wilderness

The Hoover Wilderness is home to several renowned lake basins. The Twenty Lakes Basin is a favorite for its interconnected lakes and an 8.4-mile loop trail. The Virginia Lakes Basin offers stunning mountain scenery and numerous alpine lakes like Cooney Lake and Upper Frog Lake. The Green Creek Canyon area, featuring lakes such as Blue Lake, is known for its beautiful meadows and rushing streams.

The best time to visit the lakes for hiking and backpacking is typically from late June through October, or until the first significant snowfall. During this period, the lakes are usually melted, and trails are accessible.

Yes, there are options suitable for families. Blue Lake (Hoover Wilderness) is categorized as family-friendly and is the first lake along the Green Creek Trail, which offers an easy hike. The 8.4-mile loop trail in the Twenty Lakes Basin also has minimal elevation gain, making it accessible for many.

You can expect to see pristine alpine lakes, rugged granite landscapes, sweeping meadows, and high canyon cliffs. Many lakes, like Cooney Lake, offer impressive views of surrounding peaks such as Mount Warren, Excelsior Mountain, Black Mountain, and Dunderberg Peak. Nutter Lake is noted as a 'tiny jewel' reflecting Page and Gabbro Peaks.

The Hoover Wilderness offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can enjoy extensive hiking, with routes like the Twenty Lakes Basin Loop or the Green Creek Trail. Backpacking is popular, especially in areas like the Twenty Lakes Basin and towards Summit Lake. Many lakes are excellent for fishing, stocked with brown, brook, rainbow, and golden trout. For more hiking options, explore the Hiking in Hoover Wilderness guide, or for cycling, see the Cycling in Hoover Wilderness guide.

Permits are generally required for overnight visits to the Hoover Wilderness. While reservations are often not needed for entry via Lakes Canyon, it's always best to check current regulations for specific areas and overnight stays.

Many lakes in the Hoover Wilderness are excellent for fishing. The Twenty Lakes Basin, in particular, is known for its clear waters where anglers can spot fish up to 20 feet deep. Lakes in this basin are frequently stocked with brown, brook, rainbow, and golden trout.

The Twenty Lakes Basin offers an 8.4-mile loop trail, accessible from Saddlebag Lake, which takes hikers through multiple interconnected lakes with minimal elevation gain. Another popular option is the 6.6-mile loop trail in the Virginia Lakes Basin, which passes by many alpine lakes and offers stunning mountain views. You can find more hiking routes in the Hiking in Hoover Wilderness guide.

While many of the alpine lakes are pristine and inviting, they are typically very cold, even in summer, due to their high elevation and glacier-fed nature. There are no specific regulations prohibiting swimming, but visitors should be prepared for cold water temperatures.

Trails to the lakes in Hoover Wilderness vary in difficulty. Many, like the Twenty Lakes Basin loop, are considered moderate with minimal elevation gain. The Green Creek Trail to Blue Lake is an easy hike. However, some trails, especially those continuing to higher elevations or more remote lakes like Summit Lake, can be more challenging. You can find easy hiking options in the Easy hikes in Hoover Wilderness guide.

Generally, dogs are allowed on trails in the Hoover Wilderness, but they must be kept on a leash. It's always recommended to check specific regulations for the area you plan to visit, especially regarding wilderness areas and national forests, to ensure compliance.

Visitors frequently praise the stunning natural beauty, including the clear alpine waters, rugged mountain backdrops, and peaceful wilderness experience. The opportunity for excellent fishing, diverse hiking trails, and the chance to explore interconnected lake systems like the Twenty Lakes Basin are also highly valued.