Holland Lake

Breathtaking mountain views without the strenuous hike

Holland Lake Picnic Site is a day use area on a stunning mountain lake in the Swan Valley, featuring several picnic areas and a small beach.

Features: Each picnic area has a long picnic table and small grill. There is a small gravel beach and swimming area (no lifeguards on duty). A campground and boat launch are next to the day use area. Bring binoculars to see the waterfall in the mountains on the other side of the lake!

Accessibility info and site description: The road is paved most of the way there- no treacherous forest service roads to get to this location! Follow the signs to the day use area, just past the first campground. The parking lot is an open, dirt-covered area and does not have accessible parking spaces. The short trail to the recreation area is a wide dirt/gravel path that goes from the parking lot up and over a small hill to the large entrance sign. Once there, the public restroom is to the left, and two picnic areas are up on the hill on either side. Continuing toward the lake, there is no particular trail. The landscape slopes downhill and the ground is mostly grassy. Two benches offer a beautiful view of the lake, or continue heading down toward the lake to find additional picnic tables to the left and right. At the waterline, there's a small gravel beach area that has soft, uneven terrain. Total distance from the center of the parking area to the edge of the lake is about 350 feet. There is a $5 day use fee.

Holland Lake Day Use Area

View of the path to the day use area from the parking lot

There’s a hill on the path to the recreation area. The first picnic areas are up on this hill on either side of the trail.

Welcome to Holland Lake!

The public restroom to the left of the entrance sign.

View to the right of the entrance sign. There are a couple of picnic areas near the lake.

Two benches with a stunning view. A picnic area is down by the lake to the left.

View from the gravel beach area

My dog enjoying the view at Holland Lake!

View of the parking area

My experience: This was my first time visiting Holland Lake and I loved it so much we went back the next day! We brought a wheelchair for my husband's grandma, and didn't have too much trouble pushing the wheelchair until we got close to the picnic tables on the right side, where there were some soft spots and and roots/pinecones. The only area I had a difficult time walking was the beach area close to the water, as the ground was soft and uneven. It was surprisingly quiet and peaceful while we were there, with only a couple of other visitors coming and going, though I imagine it's a different experience in the summer months.

Overall, Holland Lake has unbeatable views! Bring binoculars to see the waterfall, a bathing suit to wade through the crystal clear water, or BBQ supplies to take advantage of the picnic areas!

 

Find the Holland Lake picnic site at www.fs.usda.gov