# Pookode Lake, Wayanad: Timings, Entry Fee, Boating and Visitor Guide

> Complete guide to Pookode Lake in Wayanad, Kerala, with timings, entry fee, boating charges, facilities, best time to visit and practical visitor tips.

Source: https://www.whatnewtrends.com/blogs/travel/pookode-lake-wayanad-kerala-india  
Published: 29 August 2026  
Updated: 29 August 2026

## Pookode Lake at a Glance

Pookode Lake lies in the Vythiri region of Wayanad district in Kerala, roughly 15 kilometres south of Kalpetta and a short drive from the Lakkidi ghat section. It is a natural freshwater lake held in a shallow bowl of evergreen forest at about 770 metres above sea level, and it is commonly described as the smallest and highest situated freshwater lake in the state. The water surface covers close to 8.5 hectares, and seen from the air the outline of the lake resembles the map of India, a detail that has become part of its identity in travel writing about the district.

The site is managed by the District Tourism Promotion Council in coordination with the South Wayanad forest division. A paved path circles the water, and a compact cluster of visitor facilities sits near the entrance, including a boat jetty, a freshwater aquarium, a children's play area, a fish spa and an emporium selling handicrafts and Wayanad spices. The terrain is gentle throughout, which makes the lake a straightforward stop for families, older visitors and anyone looking for a relaxed break between the more demanding attractions in the district.

### Quick facts

| Detail | Information |
| --- | --- |
| Location | Pookode, near Vythiri, Wayanad district, Kerala |
| Elevation | About 770 metres above sea level |
| Surface area | Approximately 8.5 hectares |
| Maximum depth | About 6.5 metres |
| Distance from Kalpetta | Around 15 km |
| Distance from Vythiri | Around 3 km |
| Managed by | District Tourism Promotion Council, Wayanad |
| Typical visit duration | 1.5 to 2 hours |

## Geography, Origin and Ecology

### How the lake fits into the landscape

The basin collects rainfall and runoff from the forested ridges that enclose it, which is why the water level responds quickly to the monsoon. Water leaving the lake forms the Panamaram rivulet, a stream that eventually feeds the Kabani River, one of the important east flowing rivers of the region. A maximum depth of about 6.5 metres is modest for a water body of this surface area, and the shallow margins support the dense aquatic plant growth visible along the banks for much of the year.

### Plant and animal life

Blue water lilies grow across parts of the surface and are the feature most visitors notice first from the walking path. The forest ring around the lake belongs to the wider Western Ghats ecosystem and holds a mix of birds, butterflies and small mammals, so early morning visits often turn up more wildlife activity than midday ones. The lake is also of scientific interest because a small cyprinid fish, Pethia pookodensis, has been recorded only from this water body, which makes the basin a narrowly restricted habitat rather than an ordinary scenic pond.

> **Note:** Feeding the fish, dropping food waste into the water and picking the water lilies are all discouraged at the site. The lake supports an endemic fish species with an extremely small range, so litter and disturbance carry more consequence here than at a larger water body.

## Things to Do at Pookode Lake

The attraction is compact, and most of what it offers can be covered without hurrying in about two hours. The main activities cluster into a lakeside walk, a boat ride, and a short circuit of the small facilities near the entrance gate.

- Walk the circular path around the lake, which stays close to the water for most of its length and passes several open spots suited to photographs
- Take a pedal boat or a rowing boat onto the lake, which is the only way to see the far bank and the lily beds up close
- Visit the freshwater aquarium near the entrance, which displays fish species associated with regional rivers and lakes
- Let younger visitors use the children's park, a practical break point on a longer sightseeing day
- Browse the handicrafts and spices emporium for cardamom, pepper, coffee, tea, handmade soaps and Ayurvedic products
- Try the fish spa stall, one of the small paid add-ons available near the shopping area

### Boating options and charges

Boating is the headline activity and is operated from a jetty on the near bank. Pedal boats are available in two seat and four seat configurations, and a larger rowing boat handles bigger groups. Boats stop going out before the gate closes for the day, so arriving in the last hour usually means missing the ride. Rates are revised from time to time, and the figures below reflect the charges published by the district tourism council.

| Boat type | Capacity | Indicative charge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pedal boat | 2 seats | Rs. 300 |
| Pedal boat | 4 seats | Rs. 450 |
| Rowing boat | 7 seats | Rs. 700 |
| Photo shoot permit | Not applicable | Rs. 1,000 |

## Timings, Entry Fee and Facilities

Entry is ticketed at the gate, with a lower rate for children. Tickets are sold on the spot, and there is no advance online reservation for the lake itself. Weekends, school holidays and the stretch between October and January bring the heaviest footfall, and the ticket counter can hold a queue during those periods.

| Item | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Opening hours | 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Boating closes | Around 5:00 PM |
| Entry fee, adult | Rs. 40 |
| Entry fee, child | Rs. 30 |
| Booking | Counter sales only, no online booking |
| Parking | Paid parking near the entrance |
| On site facilities | Aquarium, children's park, fish spa, emporium, refreshment stalls |

> **Note:** Entry rates, boating charges and closing times are set locally and change without much notice. Confirm the current figures at the ticket counter or with the district tourism council before planning around them, particularly during monsoon months when boating can be suspended.

## Best Time to Visit

The lake is open through the year, but the experience shifts noticeably with the season. The months from October to May offer the most reliable weather for walking the full circuit and taking a boat out. The southwest monsoon between June and September turns the surrounding forest intensely green and fills the lake, though heavy rain can make the path slippery and boating may be paused on any given day. Early mornings are cooler, quieter and better for birdwatching, while late afternoons carry the strongest crowds.

- October to February
- Cool and clear
- March to May
- Warm and dry
- June to September
- Heavy rain and mist

### A practical sequence for the visit

- Arrive shortly after opening, when the queue at the ticket counter is short and the light on the water is at its best
- Head straight to the boat jetty, since boat availability tightens as the morning progresses
- Walk the circular path afterwards, allowing about 30 to 40 minutes at an unhurried pace
- Stop at the freshwater aquarium and the children's park on the way back towards the gate
- Finish at the emporium, where spices and handicrafts are easier to browse without a boat ride still pending

## Practical Tips for Visitors

The lake demands very little in the way of preparation, but a few points make the difference between a smooth stop and a frustrating one.

- Carry cash, since counter payments and small stalls are not always equipped for card transactions
- Wear shoes with grip, because the path stays damp under tree cover even outside the monsoon
- Budget extra time on weekends and holidays, when boat waiting times stretch considerably
- Keep plastic to a minimum and carry waste back out, as bins near the path fill quickly on busy days
- Combine the visit with nearby stops such as Lakkidi View Point or Vythiri Park, all of which sit within a short drive
- Check whether the boating operation is running before travelling during heavy rain

> **Note:** The lake is not a swimming spot. Entering the water is not permitted, and life jackets issued at the jetty should be worn for the full duration of the boat ride.

## Image Gallery

![](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/whatnewtrends-admin.appspot.com/o/blogs%2Fc37152fe-d470-43bb-8d1a-57b9a5474386%2Fpookode-lake-wayanad-kerala-india-section-7-gallery-2.webp?alt=media&token=d35af295-2d7d-4694-9334-a5a31cbe9366)

![](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/whatnewtrends-admin.appspot.com/o/blogs%2Fc37152fe-d470-43bb-8d1a-57b9a5474386%2Fpookode-lake-wayanad-kerala-india-section-7-gallery-3.webp?alt=media&token=2a0568f6-5f4d-4b16-b999-0950bc1db5e2)

![](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/whatnewtrends-admin.appspot.com/o/blogs%2Fc37152fe-d470-43bb-8d1a-57b9a5474386%2Fpookode-lake-wayanad-kerala-india-section-7-gallery-4.webp?alt=media&token=dd31a6ac-dd6a-45b2-bc64-26887bf3e65c)

![](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/whatnewtrends-admin.appspot.com/o/blogs%2Fc37152fe-d470-43bb-8d1a-57b9a5474386%2Fpookode-lake-wayanad-kerala-india-section-7-gallery-5.webp?alt=media&token=9c093734-602d-49ab-b894-eff4858feed6)

![](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/whatnewtrends-admin.appspot.com/o/blogs%2Fc37152fe-d470-43bb-8d1a-57b9a5474386%2Fpookode-lake-wayanad-kerala-india-section-7-gallery-6.webp?alt=media&token=314e8cf1-ddda-4b8b-aaf2-28e8a47f1345)

## Summary

Pookode Lake works best as a short, low effort stop within a wider Wayanad itinerary rather than as a full day destination. Its appeal comes from the combination of a genuinely natural setting, an easy walking circuit and a small set of family friendly facilities in one place. For visitors staying around Vythiri or Lakkidi it is one of the closest ticketed attractions, and for anyone travelling up the ghat road from Kozhikode it makes a convenient first halt in the district.

- Natural freshwater lake at about 770 metres, roughly 8.5 hectares in area with a maximum depth near 6.5 metres
- Open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with boating closing about an hour earlier
- Entry priced at Rs. 40 for adults and Rs. 30 for children, tickets sold at the counter only
- Pedal boats and a rowing boat available, with charges ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 700
- Habitat of Pethia pookodensis, a fish recorded from this lake and nowhere else
- Best visited early in the day, ideally between October and May

## Nearby places

- 9b87aa92-fcdf-4744-a1f3-8af3211b5800
- c7600059-6e07-4c46-b89a-fae715832256
- 588a1efa-b9a5-4583-aeac-68b6751cbc90
- e3c1f135-1d53-42ca-91b2-16c23330dc84
- d28f5bc1-65c0-4135-a030-ac11fd57e88d
- 21d100c6-d6ca-4ed9-a574-78b2509b44eb
- 55a81636-9b17-49f2-a276-1fffb5944b01
- edcd0f62-cba7-457a-9e34-a2bafc621d47
- c5f39a4e-8cb0-4c71-97a9-1ade87d6ae12
- cbcd6c01-2ba8-4f3c-bd7f-332a8969e0ba

## Nearby hotels

- 8962d84c-e726-4580-92b9-028694531a0b
- b8dafe2d-c03a-4843-8253-d420ce8f82de
- 05fe9eb4-2d12-4415-a4d0-af8dc95fc3d1
- 82e144fe-ce1d-4cb9-aef4-14a507af297f
- 1e65f00e-e015-457e-9945-f33b1b434d29
- c7f8df52-dd00-4a80-a53e-7ba2e962327c
- 23d87850-8fc4-4e51-a429-89cde0d46ddc
- 548fff2f-0a67-4187-8ab1-b2ca1131bd22
- caa2bd93-0501-4ebe-b737-ee33dd377967
- 8fe1eef0-83a6-4bbd-9498-6f68898a9855

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the entry fee for Pookode Lake in Wayanad?

Entry is charged at approximately Rs. 40 for adults and Rs. 30 for children. Tickets are sold at the counter near the gate, and there is no online booking option for the lake. Rates are revised periodically, so confirming the current figure at the counter is advisable.

### What are the timings of Pookode Lake?

The lake is generally open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Boating stops earlier, at around 5:00 PM, so visitors planning a boat ride should arrive well before the closing hour.

### How much does boating at Pookode Lake cost?

A two seat pedal boat costs about Rs. 300, a four seat pedal boat about Rs. 450, and a seven seat rowing boat about Rs. 700. Boats are allotted at the jetty on a first come basis, and waiting times increase on weekends and holidays.

### How far is Pookode Lake from Kalpetta and Vythiri?

The lake lies roughly 15 kilometres from Kalpetta and about 3 kilometres from Vythiri, which places it within easy reach of most accommodation in the Vythiri and Lakkidi area.

### Is Pookode Lake worth visiting during the monsoon?

The surrounding forest is at its most striking between June and September, but heavy rain makes the walking path slippery and boating can be suspended on short notice. Visitors travelling specifically for a boat ride are better served by the drier months from October to May.

### How much time is needed at Pookode Lake?

Most visitors cover the walking circuit, a boat ride, the aquarium and the shopping area in about one and a half to two hours. Allowing extra time is sensible on weekends when boat queues are longer.