In order to get to Lackawaxen Lake you will need to first hike to Bloods Lake.  The trailhead is the same for both Bloods and Lackawaxen Lakes.

Driving Directions

Route through Big Cottonwood Canyon

You can drive through Big Cottonwood Canyon to get to Bloods Lake Trailhead but dogs aren’t allowed in the canyon (even though they are allowed on the other side of Big Cottonwood Canyon at Guardsman Pass and Bloods Lake).

Route from Park City

Bloods Lake/Lackawaxen Lake is located in the boundaries of Park City.

In order to get to Lackawaxen Lake you must take the same trail to Bloods Lake.  I will get you to that point and then we will continue on to the more peaceful Lackawaxen Lake!

The Bloods Lake Trail is a beautiful route through tall aspen and pine trees in Guardsman Pass.  This trail wouldn’t be possible except for a $50,000 donation from the Pilko family – thank you!  Their donation helped renovate the trail and make it much better than what it was before.  You can read more about this trail renovation here.

This trail is popular and after hiking it I can see why!  The trail is not only popular for families, but for dog owners.  It’s important to know that dogs are not allowed within 100 yards of Bloods Lake.  You can bring your dog on the trail, but this entire area is a water conservation area and city officials do not want dogs near the lake.  So it’s kind of a predicament…You can bring your dog on this trail, just not near the lake…Might want to find another trail to bring Fido on.

You will begin the trail right inside the forest.  The trail winds around aspen and pine trees for about 0.80 miles.  The elevation won’t gain much during this time either.  I hiked in early fall and the aspen trees were already changing into golden colors!

The rest of the hike will be slightly steeper but never that bad.  In this part of the hike, you will leave the aspen forest and hike among pines.  The smell of the pine trees is strong and makes you forget about the busy city life for a few moments.

There are a few large switchbacks to gain the rest of the elevation until you arrive at Bloods Lake.  The lake isn’t that big at only 4.2 acres, but it’s surrounded by tall trees in a beautiful small valley.

The rope swing is on the western side.

To continue hiking to Lackawaxen Lake you will need to find the trail on the south eastern side of Bloods Lake.  From here, the trail will do a few switchbacks to get to the top of a hill until you come to some power lines.  It’s about 0.40 mile from Bloods Lake until you come to the lines.  You will gain several hundred more feet by the time you are done hiking to the Lackawaxen Lake. 

Not many people continue on to Lackawaxen Lake and that is why you absolutely should go on!  The lake is peaceful and the setting is beautiful!

It’s another 0.40 mile following the trail underneath the power lines until the trail will turn south.  I loved this part because it reminded me of some of my days hiking out on the tundra in Alaska.

I saw some really big porcupines here and tons of squirrels and chipmunks.  I was always scanning ahead and in the bushes and trees for any signs of moose and even bears.

You will pass by two mines on the way to the lake:  Lackawaxen Lake mine 1 and Lackawaxen Lake mine 2.  If you are a Trek Planner Insider Member I give you the GPS coordinates to these locations.  These mines are kind of neat to check out and there are some mining relics to be seen too.

The trail will cross over some granite rocks and then go inside some pine trees.  If you are observant you might be able to hear some pika squeaking in the rocks!

It’s not too much farther until you come to Lackawaxen Lake.

At about 3.2 acres, the lake is about one acre smaller than Bloods Lake but this lake is not any less impressive or incredible to visit.  I had the entire lake to myself!

There is a trail that goes around the lake but you could easily spend an hour or two just admiring it right from where you’re standing.