Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
690.00 ft (210.31 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
3.80 mi (6.12 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The clear blue waters of Indigo Lake are located at the base of Sawtooth Mountain, which makes for amazing views. Trail access is from the Timpanogas Campground, where you can park your vehicle. Once in the campground, look for the hiker and trailhead sign. The short 1.9-mile hike up to the lake takes you through old-growth forest, high meadows, and along a small creek. Look for the blazes carved into the Douglas firs to stay on the correct trail. When you reach the lake, you will be rewarded with an amazing view of Sawtooth Mountain. A 1-mile loop trail continues around the lake to provide an opportunity to explore the area and take in the views. 

Picnic tables, benches, and fire rings are located around the lake and in the hike-in camp sites, which make for a nice place to have a picnic lunch or enjoy an overnight stay. Fishing, swimming, mountain biking, and hiking are all activities located on and around the lake. Be prepared for cold nights and relentless mosquitoes during the summer months. 

If you're feeling adventurous, extend your hike on the trail to June Lake or Cowhorn Mountain. Note that, depending on the time of year, Indigo Lake can be frozen over and the path leading around the lake can be blocked by snow.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Beautiful views.

Cons

Mosquitoes during summer.

Trailhead Elevation

5,256.00 ft (1,602.03 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Wildlife
Wildlife
Bird watching
Big vistas
Old-growth forest
Wildflowers
Fishing
Geologically significant

Suitable for

Biking

Location

Comments

09/20/2015
Indigo Lake is worth exploring during different seasons. The lake, even with warm late summer temperatures, was still really cold!
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