Tipsaw Lake Trail

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Features Lake · Views · Wildlife

The Tipsaw Lake Trail makes a great, not too difficult, hike for an afternoon or after work. The section from the Beach to the Dam is the rockiest and most strenuous portion, making the Dam a great place to take a break.

There are two main parking area for the lake, each accessed off of Highway 37. The north entrance will take hikers to Tipsaw Beach and the southern, or "back entrance," is where this hike begins as mapped.

For the most part, the National Forest Service maintains the trail well, so there most likely won't be any fallen trees to climb over. There aren't many off-shoots from this trail either, so it's hard to get lost, but if all else fails, just stay close to the lake.

The first section of the trail, all the way to Tipsaw Beach, is moderate. There are many roots and small rocks, several creek beds, and a pine forest stretch with a nice pine needle bed.

The trail eventually comes out on the Tipsaw Beach parking area. This is a great place to use the restroom. To pick up the trail, just follow the parking lot along the lake toward the Dam. This section is the most difficult part of the trail, with some steep inclines and larger borders to navigate over. However, once completed, the rest of the trail is an easy hike across the dam and back to the trailhead.