Over fourteen (14) U.S. lakes use the name Mirror Lake. Theoretically, Mirror Lakes perfectly mirror their surrounding landscapes on top of their still waters and give off an illusion of infinite depth. Weather plays a role in glass-like, still waters. Even a slight breeze can disrupt a lake’s reflections.
Mirror Lake, Yosemite, California
Tenaya Creek cascades through boulder rich Tenaya Canyon at the apex of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. Steep granite walls slope downward to Mirror Lake. While at Mirror Lake, you gaze up at the grandeur of Half Dome on the east and Mount Watkins on the northeast.
However, if it does not snow enough, Mirror Lake, California, can turn into Mirror Meadow or Mirror Swamp. Spring brings in Mirror Lake’s namesake characteristics. For a fleeting period from late spring to early summer, snow melt replenishes Mirror Lake into a stunning work of natural art. This is the busiest time to visit Mirror Lake and no dogs allowed.
Yosemite National Park requires reservations to drive and hike in it at certain times the year, including to Mirror Lake. Visitors can hike to or take a shuttle to one of the several trailheads leading to several lakeside spots. By late summer, Mirror Lake can be swampy or not there at all. Mirror Lake is one of the most popular destinations in Yosemite National Park.
Mirror Lake State Park, Wisconsin
South Central Wisconsin holds Mirror Lake and Mirror Lake State Park in its heart. This park covers over 2,000 acres three miles southwest of the town of Wisconsin Dells. Sandstone bluffs hover over wooded campsites on half of Mirror Lake. Miles of biking, hiking, and cross-country ski trails traverse Mirror Lake State Park.
Mirror Lake is indeed a mirror that reflects its surrounding bluffs and clouds high in the sky. Its waters are so calm most of the time that not a ripple upsets the echoes of its surrounding terrain. Excellent fishing, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, and bird watching opportunities abound.
This park operates three campgrounds and one group camp. They open from April or May until sometime in October, depending on the weather. Visitors must make reservations for campsites. There are 152 tent and RV sites with a mix of electrical and non-electrical sites. The park offers one dump station. Bathrooms and showers are seasonal, but there are vault toilets.
Along with bike, boat, and canoe rentals, Mirror Lake State Park offers one ADA cabin and rents mobility-impaired equipment like specialized kayaks and sit skis for cross country skiing. Pets are welcome on leashes but do not have access everywhere in the park.
Mirror Lake, Arkansas
Mirror Lake is a tiny three-acre lake full of rainbow trout impounded by the Blanchard Springs Dam in north central Arkansas. Water flows into Mirror Lake from the Blanchard Springs Caverns. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the stone and concrete dam during the 1930s. Water tumbles and roars over three tiers of boulders and gushes into the lake from the gorgeous Mirror Lake Waterfall at a constant and chilly 58°.
Mirror Lake’s turquoise water copies its lush forested hills exactly. You have to hike to it on an easy, short trail. The Mirror Lake region lies within the Ozark Mountain Range. Mountains and rivers flow all around this area. Peak season runs from mid-April through late November. Mountain music is everywhere.
Visitors hike a 1.3-mile loop to get to Mirror Lake. They find fantastic views and remains of an ancient mill, which are a short stroll from the cave, aka Blanchard Springs Cavern. Discovery Trail, the lower cavern hike, is 1.2 miles long. Hikes to Blanchard Springs or to the base of Mirror Lake are about 1/4 mile. The upper cave hike, the Dripstone Trail, is a 0.5-mile stroll.
Mountain View is an isolated community known for its preservation of traditional folk music and culture and lies a few miles south of Mirror Lake. Blanchard Springs Campground, Blanchard Springs Day Use Area, and Blanchard Springs Recreation Area are to the north of the lake and Blanchard Springs Caverns are east of Mirror Lake Waterfall.
Mirror Lake, New York
Just off of an eastern arm of Lake Placid between the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness on the north and the Sentinel Range Wilderness lies Mirror Lake. It is a wee lake with a 2.7-mile loop for cycling, hiking, running, or walking around it in the heart of the City of Lake Placid.
Mirror Lake in the Adirondacks ideally pictures quaint Lake Placid Village and loons surrounding its calm, crystal clear waters. Motorboats are not allowed, but canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards are welcome. The Lake Placid Public Beach area on the south end of the lake includes a pier, a launch site, tennis courts, a playground, and a changing facility.
Mirror Lake, Colorado
Mirror Lake sits east of Meeker, in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area of the White River National Forest. The only way to see this remote gem is to hike the Mirror Lake Trail. This is a strenuous 8-mile trail full of natural surprises. Hikers are warned not to hike alone.
The climb is worth it to view the 13,000-foot Sawatch Range mountain peaks mirrored by this pristine lake. Visitors enjoy mountain biking, four-wheeling, hiking, and horseback riding to Mirror Lake. There are ten first come, first serve, dispersed campsites.
The White River National Forest manages Mirror Lake. Mirror Lake is bear country. Campers must store food and other items attractive to bears in approved bear resistant containers. Hikers and campers need to check out avalanche forecasts and obey fire restrictions and forest regulations.
From Meeker, head north on Highway 13 for 1 mile, and turn east toward Buford on Rio Blanco/County Road 8. Continue for 38.7 miles and turn right onto the Trappers Lake Road/#205. The Mirror Lake trailhead is on the right less than a half mile. Dogs are not welcome.
Mirror Lake, Utah
The scenic Mirror Lake Highway takes up 42 miles of SR 150 and leads to Mirror Lake. It begins in Kamas, Utah, and rises high into the Uinta Mountains topping out at 10,715 feet at Bald Mountain Pass, and then slides downward past Hayden Peak, Kletting Peak, and Holiday Park Peak.
Mirror Lake is nestled high in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest at an elevation of 10,400 feet. Its stunning, glassy surface radiates images of the mountains surrounding it. A 1.5-mile trail loops around the lake. Several trailheads lead out from Mirror Lake. Visitors take part in camping, fishing, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, walking, and collecting wild mushrooms.
The Mirror Lake Campground is unpaved and primitive. It offers an interpretive site, a boat ramp, tent camping, a camping trailer, picnic tables, toilets, drinking water, and parking. It has 79 campsites, with 14 designated for equestrian use, but no ADA facilities. Pets are allowed.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is one of the most visited National Forests in the U.S. It encompasses 2.2 million acres in Northern Utah and southwestern Wyoming. Roads and trails lead visitors to natural settings and spectacular vistas dotted with campgrounds, yurts, and backcountry camping sites.
Mirror Lake, Tuftonboro, New Hampshire
Mirror Lake is a tiny, tiny lake right next to a southeastern arm of Lake Winnipesaukee on NH 109. It is officially in the town of Tuftonboro with Mount Shaw reflected on its smooth surface, along with the clouds and stars, and even rainbows when they materialize.
Mirror Lake covers 333 acres, with half its shoreline in Wolfeboro and half in Tuftonboro. Residents and visitors love Mirror Lake for birding, boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, sailing, waterskiing, jet skiing, swimming, and windsurfing.
Mirror Lake, Thornton, New Hampshire
Moving 30 miles northwest from the Placid Lake region, you find another Mirror Lake in Thornton, New Hampshire, right off of I-93. Visitors can get off at exit 29 and onto Daniel Webster Highway from the south or from the north, and get off at exit 30 and come down Route 3.
Early morning mist rises upwards from Mirror Lake to reveal reflections of dense, tree-covered hills that ring around the lake. This little lake is a favorite of photographers. It features one public beach and picnic tables. Three roads lead to the lake, and visitors can explore the rest on foot.
Mirror Lake, Oregon
A small gem named Mirror Lake is an hour’s drive southeast from Portland on US 26. Mount Hood overlooks Mirror Lake from the northeast. Miles of trails wander throughout the Mount Hood National Forest. The 0.4-mile Mirror Lake Trail loops around Mirror Lake.
The 1.9 miles from the Mirror Lake Trailhead to the lake gains 460 feet at a steady, moderate climb. This is a popular hike to see the imperial views of Mount Hood. In winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing becomes a big thing, but navigational skills are highly recommended for winter sports.
The trail begins at US 26 at the Mirror Lake trailhead. From Portland, travel 27.5 miles east of Sandy on US Hwy. 26 and turn right into the Skibowl West/Mirror Lake Trailhead parking area. From Government Camp, take the west end of the Government Camp Loop Rd. Turn west/right onto Hwy. 26. Then travel 0.4-miles west on US 26 to the Mirror Lake Trailhead Parking Area.
Mirror Lake, Lakeland, Florida
Mirror Lake is more of a pond in a city park among several others in Lakeland. A paved promenade circles this lake surrounded by park spaces, restaurants, a hotel, and businesses.
