Getting There: Drive over Thompson Pass from the Idaho side; at about 6.75-mile mark off the Montana side of Thompson Pass, take the primitive road to your right. It is not well marked and comes up fast, but there is hiking sign. In addition, there is a residence across the road, either the first or last depending on your direction of travel. If coming from Thompson Falls, the intersection is 1.25 miles up the road from the Cooper Pass road junction. Stay on the primitive road for 0.5 miles, staying left at the junction. The road ends at the trailhead by Evans Creek, there is a trailhead sign. 
There is room to park a couple vehicles. Cross the creek at the trailhead, you’ll make another crossing in a 1/2 mile. There are a number of small creeks and seeps along the way so plenty of water for the dog along the route. The trail is in good shape and was sawed out in 2025, and follows an old road through much of the lower sections.
The trail does climb 2,000 feet over the 3.5 miles with a gain of 500 feet via 12 switchbacks over the last 1/2 mile to the lake. So, this is just not a stroll up to the lake as there are some steep but short pitches along the way. It is a short but steep drop down to the lake.
At the Lake: The lake rests up against a steep headwall on the far side of the lake and is relatively deep there, but it is brushy and hard to get around on that side of the lake. But over half the shoreline is easily walkable. Fishing for Brook Trout is relatively good with either flies or small lures.
There is one good camping site along the right shoreline. Other camp sites above the lake with a steep drop down to the water are scattered about as you get to the lake. A moose came down for a drink while Skye & I were there in 2020, but have not seen any other game during my visits. Evans Lake is not nearly as popular as the other lakes accessed by Thompson Pass. If you wanted a cross-country venture, you could access this lake from the Cooper Pass side, but it looks to be a bit of a chore.
