Little Cranberry Lake is located within Anacortes Community Forest Lands on Fidalgo Island in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Washington. The lake is deepened by a dam on the northern end which was constructed in the 1930s. The previous dam had broken in 1921 releasing a large amount of water which crashed down the hills to the beach.
The lake basin is part of a 10-mile long, north-south wilderness corridor that roughly follows an ancient moraine, which snakes its way down the middle of the island. This moraine is a major source of gravel for the region which adjoins Anacortes, Washington. The trails in this corridor are maintained but are of variable quality. Almost all are ideal for mountain biking, in particular.
Little Cranberry Lake is a popular swimming location, especially for visitors to the annual summer music celebration, What the Heck Fest.
Directions
From exit 230 off I-5, 230 for WA-20 toward Burlington/Anacortes/Skagit Airpor. Stay on WA-20 (which turns into WA-20 Spur W) for about 12 miles into Anacortes. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Commercial Ave. To reach the trailhead, turn left on 12th St, and follow signs to ferries. Turn left on Georgia Ave. and then right at the Cranberry Lake sign.
