Kayak Deer Lake

Deer Lake is a hidden cache of awesomeness in the mountains of eastern Washington. The lake expands a sizeable 1,146 acres, giving you plenty of room to explore with your kayak.

Aside from the Deer Lake Resort and one public boat launch provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the lake is surrounded by privately owned homes and cabins. While this can make it more difficult to access, it also provides a quiet and secluded escape. 

When not being stirred up by boats and jet skis, the lake is generally very calm, making it ideal for kayaking. Weekends and holidays are always busy but if you can sneak up during the week you won't be disappointed.

If you have your own kayak or have a favorite place to rent from, you can launch from the public area (which contains only a boat launch and an outhouse). The resort also offers kayak rentals as well as day passes that seem to be fairly affordable -- not to mention then you would at least also have access to food and bathrooms.

Deer Lakes also boasts a wide variety of fish species including, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, perch, rainbow trout, and lake trout. If you've got a fishing license and it's your lucky day, you might be able to reel in one or two.

Very rarely does the day close on Deer Lake without a sunset worthy of a canvas print -- for this reason, I recommend soaking up the last rays of the sun from a kayak in the middle of the lake, facing the western ridge line with your camera ready.