Alta Lake State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alta Lake State Park
Alta Lake State Park Location in Washington (state)
Location	Okanogan County, Washington, United States
Nearest city	Pateros, Washington
Area	181 acres (73 ha)
Elevation	1,348 ft (411 m)
Designation	Washington state park
Established	1951
Administrator	Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Website	Alta Lake State Park
Alta Lake Alta Lake Location in Washington (state) Location Okanogan County, Washington Coordinates 48°01′17″N 119°56′13″W / 48.0214°N 119.937°W / 48.0214; -119.937 (Alta Lake) Primary inflows None Primary outflows None Basin countries United States Max. length 2 miles (3.2 km) Max. width .5 miles (0.80 km) Surface area 219.6 acres (88.9 ha) Max. depth 79 feet (24 m) Water volume 7,230 acre-feet (8,920,000 m3) Surface elevation 1,171 feet (357 m) Islands None Settlements State park

Alta Lake State Park is a cool outdoor spot in Washington state. It's located about two miles southwest of Pateros, Washington. The park sits at the northern end of Alta Lake, which is a beautiful 220-acre lake. The park itself covers 181 acres. You'll find towering stone cliffs around the lake. These cliffs were shaped by ancient glaciers. They rise high above the valley floor, leading up to Old Goat Mountain. A road called Alta Lake Road leads to the park. It connects to Washington State Route 153, which runs along the Methow River. The Washington State Park System takes care of the park.

Discovering Alta Lake: A Park's Story

How Alta Lake Got Its Name

The lake got its name way back in 1900. A jeweler and miner from a town called Wilbur named it. He decided to name the lake after his daughter, Alta Heinz. That's how Alta Lake got its special name!

Becoming a State Park

Many years later, in 1951, the city of Pateros helped create the park. They gave the land to the state. This allowed Alta Lake State Park to be officially established.

Facing a Big Fire

In 2014, the park faced a big challenge. It was affected by the Carlton Complex Fire. This fire caused a lot of damage to the park. Because of the fire, the park had to close for five weeks. But don't worry, people are still working hard to fix everything up!

Fun Things to Do at Alta Lake State Park

Alta Lake State Park offers many exciting activities. You can have a great time on the water or exploring the land.

Water Adventures on Alta Lake

The park is perfect for water fun!

• You can go swimming in Alta Lake.
• Boating is also a popular activity.
• If you like wind, try sailboarding on the lake.
• Fishing is another great option. The lake is about two miles long and half a mile wide.

Camping and Exploring the Park

There's plenty to do on land too!

• The park has places for camping. You can set up your tent and stay overnight.
• There are also picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal outdoors.
• If you like to walk, there are two miles of hiking trails.
• For golf lovers, the Alta Lake Golf Course is nearby.