Chain Lake is a rural community north of Monroe
The rural community of Chain Lake in Snohomish County is sparsely populated for its size, with many untouched wooded areas. "This is the foothills of the Cascades. Many homes have mountain views," says Realtor Tim Fenner, a Realtor with Keller Williams Western Realty, who has also worked in the construction industry. Chain Lake is north of Monroe, a city that Fenner describes as "a laid-back country town." People from Chain Lake and smaller towns along the U.S. Route 2 corridor come to Monroe for shopping and dining. The drive to Monroe from Chain Lake averages about 5 miles, though it depends on the departure point.
Lakes, state parks and the Snohomish Golf Course
The actual lake, Chain Lake, is close to 40 acres in size. Fishing and boating are permitted, but gasoline-powered motors are not. Community parks with 10 miles of Chain Lake homes include Lake Tye Park, which has a beach area, a skate park, baseball and soccer fields and pickleball and basketball courts. Monroe's biggest park, Al Borlin Park, is 90 acres with Skykomish River frontage and a network of trails. For more hiking and nature immersion, it's about 20 miles from Chain Lake to Wallace Falls State Park and 35 miles to Mount Pilchuck State Park.
Besides hiking, other popular outdoor activities include extreme sports like BMX and more leisurely activities like golf. The family-owned Snohomish Golf Course is a public course. It opened in 1967 with a grassy pasture landscape to which thousands of Douglas fir trees were added. Events include tournaments and fundraisers, and Dave's Dawghouse is on site for breakfast and lunch. Skiers and vacationers pass through Monroe on U.S. 2, traveling to ski resort Stevens Pass, about 50 miles east.
Suburban-style streets and secluded multiacre lots
Chain Lake has suburban-style developments with homes set close together. Other areas are more spread out; multiacre lots are common. Older homes of 1,500 to 2,500 square feet include ramblers and split-levels. Contemporary homes built in the 2000s through the 2020s have multicar garages and driveways. Prices can range from the mid-$400,000s to the mid-$900,000s.
Luxury home subdivisions like Garibaldi, Woods Creek Vista and the gated Trombley Ridge Estates have traditional and Craftsman-inspired homes. Sizes range from 3,000 to 4,000 square feet, and prices from $1 million to $1.5 million. Even larger homes are set apart on lots of 5 to 20 acres for privacy and equestrian lifestyles. These go for $2 million to $2.4 million.
Feral Brewing, shops and food near U.S. 2 and West Main Street
Chain Lake does not have a commercial district. Instead, there are some businesses scattered throughout, including restaurants, stores, event venues, a dog-training facility and an equestrian center. Feral Brewing on Westwick Road has a beer garden to enjoy when weather permits; they are only open on Fridays and Saturdays. People living in Chain Lake often head to Monroe to go shopping. Most businesses are close to U.S. 2 or West Main Street. Locally owned eateries include Hwy 2 Fusion Diner, which blends Mexican and American cuisines. Tuscano's Italian Kitchen serves brick oven pizzas and specialty dishes. Galaxy Theatres Monroe shows first-run films and themed series. Safeway, Fred Meyer and a Grocery Outlet are some grocery options in Monroe.
Chain Lake Elementary, Park Place Middle, Monroe High
Public schools in the Monroe School District include Chain Lake Elementary School, which earns a B grade from Niche. It had a soft-surface play area installed in 2019. Park Place Middle School receives a C-plus, and Monroe High School has a B-minus. Some addresses in Chain Lake may be zoned to the Snohomish School District, which has an overall A-minus grade from Niche.
U.S. Route 2, SR-203 and 522, Monroe Park & Ride
Major thoroughfare U.S. 2 runs roughly east and west here. State Routes 522 and 203 lead south. Everett and Bothell are each within a 20-mile drive, and Downtown Seattle is about 40 miles away. Though bus routes do not travel within Chain Lake, Community Transit's Bus 271 stops at Monroe Park & Ride on its route from Gold Bar to Everett Station.
Evergreen State Fair, farm tours and the Reptile Zoo
The Evergreen State Fair, held at the end of the summer in Monroe, has been going on since 1949. The Evergreen State Fair Park also has year-round events, including trade shows, animal shows, festivals and car shows. An equestrian center and a speedway with a 6,000-person capacity are other highlights of the fairgrounds. Monroe's Sky Valley Farm Festival Tours is an autumn experience that features working farm visits, hayrides and pumpkin picking. The Reptile Zoo offers visitors hands-on learning as they navigate the exhibits and habitats of snakes, lizards and other creatures.
