Camping road trip around Washington's
North Cascades Loop

The North Cascades Loop, located in the northern region of Washington, is one of the nation's most scenic drives. This 440-mile loop encompasses amazing landscapes that will take your breath away. Along the trip you will see spectacular mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, glaciers, islands, valleys, farms, wildlife, beaches, and just about everything else mother nature has to offer. This hidden gem is definitely worth visiting.

When to go

April through October, but if you visit during the late fall, you will be sure to see the Bald Eagles at the Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area. In the winter, the North Cascades Highway is closed between Ross Dam Trailhead and Mazama.

How to get there

From Seattle take I-5 north for 45 mins to Everett. The nearest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is also about 45 minutes south of where the loop starts in Everett.

How long should the trip be?

This loop is over 400 miles of total driving, so 4 full days are recommended. To fully enjoy outdoors activities at the different areas as well as view all of the beautiful scenic points. For those who do not have that much time, you can squeeze the trip in 2 full days by picking and choosing from our itinerary.

What to see and do

4 Day Visit - Everett to Everett: approximately 400 Miles

Day 1

1. Start at Everett and drive the loop clockwise (towards Whidbey Island). At Mukilteo, hop on the Mukilteo Terminal Ferry. They leave every half hour and the travel time is approximately a half hour. As the ferry takes you to the island look out for the lighthouse at Mukilteo. Head to South Whidbey Island State Park and admire the Douglas fir and red cedar trees, as well as eagles and black-tailed deer.
2. As you reach the northern tip of the island, you will arrive at the Deception Pass Bridge. Stop at Deception Pass State Park to see marshlands, beaches, freshwater lakes, forests, and scenic views of the Puget Sound.
3. Head over the bridge to Fidalgo Island. Head up to Mount Erie for a great view of the Sound and the busy maritime scene.
4. After lunch drive East on Rte. 20 to Sedro-Woolley a logging town and the gateway to the North Cascades the mountain range known as the "American Alps" that has the North Cascades National Park at the heart of it. The park offers serene wilderness preserves stunning lakes and glaciers (half of the glaciers found in the lower 48 states can be found here) and the chance to glimpse bears, marmots, mountain goats, deer, the Bald Eagle and maybe even a gray wolf. Stop at the visitor center in town to get a good grasp on the region.
5. Drive 9 miles to Baker Lake next to Mount Baker volcano a 10,778 ft. volcano that occasionally spews out clouds of steam. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy here where you can sail, fish, or hike.
6. Head back to Rte. 20 and then continue East to Rockport State Park. This park contains groves of Douglas Firs up to 300 ft. tall. Hike any of the five miles of trails to see close up views of wetlands and sunny overlooks. Stay the night at Skagit County Howard Miller Steelhead County Park or at another campground near Rockport, WA.

Day 2

1. Get an early start to your day and continue east along Rte. 20 following the Skagit River until you reach Skagit River Bald Eagle Natural Area where you can see America's national bird in its natural habitat. Up in the trees and all around the banks of the river, you can see these bald eagles soaring high in the sky and then quickly diving down into the water for salmon and steelhead. There are plenty of great viewing points to check out these birds.
2. Continue on Rte. 20 to the Gorge Creek Falls. Stand on the steel bridge and peer through the grating for a breathtaking view of the waterfalls 900 ft. below.
3. After you snap your pictures at the Gorge Creek Falls, continue on Rte. 20 to Diablo. During the Summer, the Seattle City of Light offers a 2.5 tour of Diablo Lake, a stunning jade-green colored lake surrounded by mountains. You'll need to book at least a month in advance by calling 206-684-3030.
4. Continue on to Diablo Lake Overlook for the best bird's eye view of the lake and snowcapped mountains in the background. Expect to become camera trigger-happy when you see how beautiful it is.
5. After a long morning of great things to see and do, drive to Rainy Pass, which is a great place to set up a picnic, so don't forget to pack lunch. This is one of the nicest lookout points in the area as you overlook surrounding mountain peaks, a waterfall, and a glacier.
6. Nearby Rainy Pass is Whistler Basin Overlook. In the Spring, you'll see waterfalls cascading into Whistler Basin, fed by melting snow from Whistler Mountain and in the Summer, an alpine meadow full of wildflowers. A little further on is Washington Pass the highest point on the North Cascades Highway with great views of the beautifully mountainous North Cascades National Park. Stop at these viewing points for some pictures and to take in the amazing landscape.
7. Continue on to Winthrop and spend the night at a campground in Winthrop, Washington.

Day 3

1. Start day 3 early by driving to Lake Chelan via Rte. 20, then Southwards on Rte. 153 and finally Rte. 97A. This great ride will take a little over an hour as you pass through hayfields, horse ranches, and fruit orchards. Spend time at the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area for nice hiking trails or visit the southern side of the resort town for a quick boat excursion. If you want to start your day at a slower pace, you can always lounge and fish on the lake.
2. The next stop is about an hour's drive and is the most southern point of the North Cascade Loop, Wenatchee Valley - the self proclaimed Apple Capital of the world. In the fall there are miles of trees with gorgeous red and golden apples hanging from them. There are other beautiful gardens in this area to checkout. The town of Wenatchee is a good place to grab lunch. Anything with apple on the menu is probably very fresh and delicious. McGlinn's Public House is a local favorite, but there are other places with good eats.
3. After lunch, head west and drive to Leavenworth. This is a prime location for white-water rafting or kayaking. If you are not into that, spend some time in this town, which has recently reinvented itself with the charm of the Bavarian Alps. Spend the night at one of the campgrounds near Leavenworth, Washington.

Day 4

1. Drive Rte. 2. West to Tumwater Canyon. You can take awesome pictures on your ride alongside a river, mountains, forests, and of course the canyon. Continue on your drive a little farther to Coles Corner and follow Rte. 207 to Lake Wenatchee. Spend your morning on the lake beaches. With plenty of picnic spots, you should enjoy a nice big brunch before you finish your last few hours on the North Cascades Loop.
2. After brunch head over to Stevens Pass. Keep your eyes open for the elusive mountain goats. Hike a few miles on the Iron Goat Trail which traces the route of the Great Northern Railway and combines scenic landscapes with a taste of railroading history.
3. Next stop, Mount Index for beautiful viewpoints of waterfalls that appear to be glimmering silver from the highway.
4. Make your last stop at Wallace Falls State Park, home to nine waterfalls. Follow the trail that leads to the top of a 265-foot waterfall offering stunning views of views of Skykomish Valley and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. When you have finished your hike, continue West on Rte.2 until you reach Everett or if you chose to spend one more night, you can stay at a campground in Wallace Falls State Park or or at any of other campgrounds near Gold Bar, Washington.

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