North Cascades is the forgotten national park. Fewer than 30,000 overnight visitors per year — a fraction of the crowds at Olympic or Rainier — despite containing some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the lower 48. Over 300 named glaciers on jagged peaks that the early mountaineers called the American Alps. Diablo Lake with water so blue-green it looks digitally altered. Trails that deliver genuine solitude even in summer.

If you're doing the Washington loop, don't skip this one. The people who know the North Cascades tend to say it's their favorite park in the state.

Getting there with an RV

The North Cascades Highway — State Route 20 — is the main access route through the park complex. It runs east-west through the Skagit Valley and over Washington Pass, connecting the wet west side of the Cascades to the dry east side.

The highway closes from approximately late November through April due to snow and avalanche conditions. It's one of the last mountain highways to open in spring — check current road status at wsdot.wa.gov before your visit.

The road is paved throughout and handles most RVs. Washington Pass at 5,477 feet has some switchbacks and tight sections — larger rigs should drive carefully on the eastern descent. Pull-outs are frequent and the scenery on both sides of the pass justifies stopping.

Diablo Lake

Diablo Lake is the visual signature of the North Cascades — a reservoir on the Skagit River with water so intensely blue-green that first-time visitors frequently assume the photos are color-enhanced. They're not. The color comes from glacial rock flour suspended in the water, and it changes shade with the light and season.

Diablo Lake Overlook

A short walk from a parking area on Highway 20 delivers the best view of the lake with the jagged peaks of the North Cascades reflected in the water. One of the great roadside viewpoints in the Pacific Northwest. Go in morning light when the surface is calm and the reflection is sharp.

Diablo Lake Trail Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 7.6 miles round trip

Follows the north shore of Diablo Lake through old-growth forest with continuous lake views. The trail passes Thunder Point, a rocky promontory directly above the water with views up the lake toward the high peaks. One of the best day hikes in the park complex.

Diablo Lake Boat Tours

Seattle City Light — the utility that operates the hydroelectric dams on the Skagit River — runs guided boat tours on Diablo Lake from late June through September. The tours include a boat ride across the lake, a short hike to a viewpoint, and a tram ride back up the cliff. One of the most unusual and genuinely enjoyable activities in the park complex. Book in advance at seattle.gov/city-light/tours-and-recreation.

Washington Pass Overlook

At the crest of the North Cascades Highway, a short paved trail leads to an overlook with direct views of the Liberty Bell and Early Winter Spires — a cluster of vertical granite pinnacles that epitomize the "American Alps" reputation of the range. On a clear day the rock walls catch the morning light and the scale of the peaks is extraordinary.

This is one of the best quick stops on the entire Washington loop — 10 minutes from the car and the view is among the best in the state.

The hikes

Maple Pass Loop — The best hike in the North Cascades Difficulty: Strenuous Distance: 7 miles loop Access: Rainy Pass on Highway 20

The Maple Pass Loop climbs from Rainy Pass through subalpine forest to a high ridge with 360-degree views of the North Cascades — jagged peaks in every direction, Lake Ann below, the Maple Pass glacier above. In late September the larches turn gold and the combination of fall color and alpine scenery makes this one of the great fall hikes in the Pacific Northwest.

This hike is worth planning your entire North Cascades visit around. Do it on the clearest day you have.

Cascade Pass Trail Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous Distance: 7.4 miles round trip Access: Cascade River Road from Marblemount

Cascade Pass is one of the historic routes through the Cascades — used by indigenous people, fur traders, and early settlers for centuries. The trail climbs through old-growth forest and meadows to the pass at 5,392 feet with views of the Cascade Glacier and the surrounding peaks. Marmots are commonly seen along the upper sections. One of the classic North Cascades hikes.

Note: The Cascade River Road is paved for most of its length but the final miles to the trailhead are rough. Check current conditions with rangers — the road may not be suitable for larger RVs.

Rainy Lake Trail Difficulty: Easy Distance: 2 miles round trip Access: Rainy Pass on Highway 20

A flat paved trail through old-growth forest to a small glacial lake at the base of a cirque. Easy for all fitness levels, stroller-accessible, and the lake setting is genuinely beautiful. Good option for a rest day or for family members who aren't up for the Maple Pass climb.

Thunder Knob Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate Distance: 3.6 miles round trip Access: Colonial Creek Campground

Climbs through forest from Colonial Creek Campground to a rocky viewpoint above Diablo Lake with views of the lake and surrounding peaks. A good evening hike from the campground — the light on the lake in late afternoon is excellent.

The North Cascades Highway drive

Highway 20 through the park complex is one of the great scenic drives in the Pacific Northwest. The full crossing from Burlington on the west to Twisp on the east is about 130 miles and takes 3–4 hours with stops.

Key stops westbound to eastbound:

Gorge Lake — the first of the three Skagit River reservoirs, a narrow canyon lake with good viewpoints from the highway.

Diablo Lake Overlook — the blue-green lake with peaks reflected in the water. Stop here.

Colonial Creek Campground — worth stopping even if you're not camping. The view of Thunder Arm from the campground area is excellent.

Washington Pass Overlook — Liberty Bell and Early Winter Spires from the pass viewpoint. Stop here.

Mazama — a tiny community on the east side with an excellent general store and the beginning of the Methow Valley, one of the best cross-country ski areas in the Northwest in winter and a mountain biking destination in summer.

Ross Lake

Ross Lake is the largest of the three Skagit River reservoirs, extending 24 miles north into Canada. There is no road to Ross Lake — access is by boat or a trail that descends from Highway 20 to the lakeshore. The Ross Lake Resort operates floating cabins accessible only by boat and is one of the most unusual accommodations in the national park system.

For RVers, Ross Lake is best experienced from the overlooks on Highway 20 rather than as a destination requiring boat access.

Newhalem

The company town of Newhalem at the park's western boundary was built by Seattle City Light to house workers operating the Skagit hydroelectric dams. The town is unusually well-preserved and the surrounding area has several easy trails worth doing.

Trail of the Cedars — a short loop through old-growth western red cedar forest near Newhalem Creek Campground. The trees are massive and the forest floor is covered in ferns. Easy and beautiful.

Ladder Creek Falls and Rock Gardens — a short evening trail from the Newhalem visitor center to illuminated falls and rock gardens. The night lighting on the falls is unusual and the trail is easy. Best after dark.

Practical notes

The highway closes in winter. Plan your visit between late June and mid-October for reliable access to all areas. The pass area gets snow in September — be prepared for cold weather.

Services are extremely limited inside the park. Newhalem has a small store. The next real services are in Marblemount to the west or Mazama to the east. Fill gas and stock provisions before entering.

Cell service is nonexistent through most of the park. Download offline maps before you enter. Starlink works well in the Skagit Valley but loses signal in the deeper canyons.

The campgrounds are not large. Newhalem Creek is the biggest option — book as early as possible on Recreation.gov. Colonial Creek is more atmospheric but smaller. Both fill on summer weekends.

Where to stay

See the Washington National Parks Road Trip guide for Newhalem Creek, Colonial Creek, and Gorge Lake campground details.

The Ultimate Washington National Parks RV Road Trip →

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