People might have various opinions of Washington, but there’s one thing we can all agree on: This state has some seriously gorgeous scenery. Our beaches, parks and forests are incredibly beautiful. And there’s one national recreation area that’s tucked up in north central Washington that is a true paradise. And while some parts of it are pretty popular during the summer, it’s an overall hidden gem.
zip98221 / TripAdvisor Ross Lake National Recreation Area is the most accessible part of North Cascades National Park, which tends to receive fewer visitors than Rainier and Olympic. It follows the Skagit River corridor from the Canadian border to the beautiful Western Cascades Foothills. There are three Skagit River reservoirs in the recreation area: Ross Lake, Gorge Lake and Diablo Lake.
Kristine A. / Yelp Ross Lake includes the beautiful and secluded Ross Lake Resort, a group of cabins and bunkhouses that sit right on the water. Fishing, canoeing, kayaking and hiking are primarily how people spend their time at Ross Lake.
anythiene / Flickr Gorge Lake is a beautiful place to fish for rainbow trout. It’s a little more secluded than Ross Lake, but there is a small campground with six primitive campsites for anyone who wants a rustic retreat. They can’t be reserved in advance, but they’re free.
zip98221 / TripAdvisor Diablo Lake is a gorgeous reservoir that sits in between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake. Its unique turquoise color is attributed to the surrounding glaciers, which grind rocks into a fine powder that’s carried into the lake through creeks. The powder stays suspended in the water and gives it a brilliant color. You can see it all on the 3.8-mile Diablo Lake Trail.
Pictoscribe / Flickr Thousands of Washington travelers get glimpses of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area each year as they drive down the North Cascades Highway, State Route 20. But in comparison to that large number, very few people stop to explore it. It’s definitely a beautiful place to go to get away from it all.
Did you know this series of lakes was part of a beautiful national recreation area? Here are a few of Washington’s other hidden gems.
zip98221 / TripAdvisor
Ross Lake National Recreation Area is the most accessible part of North Cascades National Park, which tends to receive fewer visitors than Rainier and Olympic. It follows the Skagit River corridor from the Canadian border to the beautiful Western Cascades Foothills. There are three Skagit River reservoirs in the recreation area: Ross Lake, Gorge Lake and Diablo Lake.
Kristine A. / Yelp
Ross Lake includes the beautiful and secluded Ross Lake Resort, a group of cabins and bunkhouses that sit right on the water. Fishing, canoeing, kayaking and hiking are primarily how people spend their time at Ross Lake.
anythiene / Flickr
Gorge Lake is a beautiful place to fish for rainbow trout. It’s a little more secluded than Ross Lake, but there is a small campground with six primitive campsites for anyone who wants a rustic retreat. They can’t be reserved in advance, but they’re free.
Diablo Lake is a gorgeous reservoir that sits in between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake. Its unique turquoise color is attributed to the surrounding glaciers, which grind rocks into a fine powder that’s carried into the lake through creeks. The powder stays suspended in the water and gives it a brilliant color. You can see it all on the 3.8-mile Diablo Lake Trail.
Pictoscribe / Flickr
Thousands of Washington travelers get glimpses of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area each year as they drive down the North Cascades Highway, State Route 20. But in comparison to that large number, very few people stop to explore it. It’s definitely a beautiful place to go to get away from it all.
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