Horseshoe Lake, Washington, USA

One of three lakes in Washington state of the same name, Kitsap County’s Horseshoe Lake is the tiniest – and arguably the most beautiful – of them all. The lake is located southeast of the Bremerton National Airport, across Puget Sound from the Seattle metropolitan area. Horseshoe Lake, as its name implies, is shaped like a horse’s shoe; it features a mostly rock bottom, with spring-fed waters…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Horseshoe Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Horseshoe Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.


All About Horseshoe Lake, WA

One of three lakes in Washington state of the same name, Kitsap County’s Horseshoe Lake is the tiniest – and arguably the most beautiful – of them all. The lake is located southeast of the Bremerton National Airport, across Puget Sound from the Seattle metropolitan area. Horseshoe Lake, as its name implies, is shaped like a horse’s shoe; it features a mostly rock bottom, with spring-fed waters that remain clean and crystal clear all year-round. Situated in the heart of the Burley Creek watershed, the lake has a surface area of 40 acres and an average depth of 12 feet. It is thought to be in a mesotrophic state, meaning that the water is moderately nutrient-rich in plant and animal life.

Relaxing activities such as swimming, boating, golfing, horseback riding and fishing are well suited to the tranquil ambiance so unique to Horseshoe Lake. For such a small body of water, anglers catch an impressive variety of fish, including rainbow trout, black crappie, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, catfish, yellow perch, and bluegill. Trout are predominant during the first few weeks of spring, when fishermen have the most success using eggs, marshmallows, and worms as bait. Largemouth bass can be found in enormous quantities at Horseshoe Lake, and tend to grow to impressive sizes. This species likes to loiter around lily pads, docks, and floating tree branches.

Horseshoe Lake County Park offers 39 acres of public grounds to enjoy, with facilities like a roped-off swimming area, 12-foot concrete boat launch, hiking trails, picnic tables, baseball diamonds, and public bathrooms. Real estate and vacation rentals are available. December receives more rainfall than at any other time of year, while the month of July gets the least. Boating vessels are limited to seven miles per hour, and the entire lake is a designated ‘no wake’ zone. Wildlife watching enthusiasts will love Horseshoe Lake’s otter, osprey an eagle populations. To the north, Kitsap Lake is much the same as Horseshoe Lake but larger – and ideal for boating, kayaking, and mountain biking.

Port Orchard is the closest major city to Horseshoe Lake. The municipality offers ferries that run to both Bremerton and Seattle. Submarines and other vessels dot the bay of this distinguished port town, while the majestic Olympic Mountains are always sparkling in the background. Salmon fishing and crabbing are the best marine activities in the area. Bremerton is another nearby city that makes for a great day trip. It features various theaters, art galleries, and parks. Notable attractions include the Kitsap Historical Museaum, the Puget Sound Navy Museum, and the Bremerton Boardwalk – 840 feet of shoreline along the peaceful waterfront.

Despite its immense popularity during the summer months, Horseshoe Lake always maintains its serene and inviting atmosphere. Horseshoe Lake County Park’s season is from April 1 – September 30; visitors can call 360-337-5350 for updated information.

Things to Do at Horseshoe Lake

These are some activities in the Horseshoe Lake, WA area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Golf
  • Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • Museum

What Kind of Fish Are in Horseshoe Lake?

Horseshoe Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bass
  • Black Bass
  • Black Crappie
  • Bluegill
  • Catfish
  • Crappie
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Perch
  • Pumpkinseed
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Salmon
  • Sunfish
  • Trout
  • Yellow Perch
divider

Find Places to Stay at Horseshoe Lake

If you’re considering a Horseshoe Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Sites to Book a Horseshoe Lake Vacation

Our interactive Horseshoe Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

Check TripAdvisor
Check Expedia
Find a Campspot
All Travel Resources

Horseshoe Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

divider

Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

Surface Area: 40 acres

Shoreline Length: 1 miles

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 270 feet

Average Depth: 12 feet

Maximum Depth: 20 feet

Water Volume: 480 acre-feet

Drainage Area: 1 sq. miles

Trophic State: Mesotrophic


More local lakes to explore in this area:

We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

Shop Horseshoe Lake Gifts

Custom Lake Tumblers

Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

ORDER HERE
Custom Lake T Shirt

Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

ORDER HERE
Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

ORDER HERE
VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

More Horseshoe Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

  • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
  • The Horseshoe Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
  • New Horseshoe Lake photos coming soon!
  • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
  • Share this Horseshoe Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: