Summit Lake, lake in Thurston County, Washington, United States

Summit Lake is a freshwater lake in the northwest corner of Thurston County, about 7.6 miles east of McCleary and 9.7 miles west of Olympia. It covers roughly 1.8 square kilometres and holds rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch and coastal cutthroat trout.

The lake was once known as Prays Lake and then Crooked Lake before receiving its current name around 1900. In September 2025, a U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near the lake, and four soldiers lost their lives.

The lake received its current name around 1900, replacing earlier names like Prays Lake and Crooked Lake. Today, the community uses it primarily for fishing, boating, and quiet recreation, reflecting how the water shapes local outdoor habits and leisure time.

A boat launch on the southwestern shore is open year-round and is managed by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The lake sits west of Olympia and is easy to reach by car from most parts of the region.

Summit Lake holds six fish species: rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and coastal cutthroat. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife owns the boat launch at the southwestern shore, and the lake is among the most fished waters in Thurston County and the South Puget Sound.