Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park

Diablo Lake

Diablo Lake is a popular destination for hikers, kayakers, canoeists, and fishermen.

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Diablo Lake Details

One of three reservoirs created by the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project's dams, Diablo Lake is spanned by a powerful dam that helps provide power across Washington State; as a result, its water levels fluctuate on a daily basis. The 22-mile long lake is surrounded by beautiful, old-growth forests and the towering jagged peaks of the North Cascades. It's shores are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including owls, deer, squirrels, hares, and the occasional black bear, and the lake is well known for the native rainbow and bull trout that inhabit it's cold waters. Many hiking trails, including the popular Diablo Lake Trail, provide stunning views of the lake, and are often bustling with visitors during the summer months. There are a number of primitive campsites along the lake's shores, and the nearby Ross Lake Resort offers cabins and bunkhouses from mid-June to November. Diablo Lake is most easily accessed from the Diablo Dam Road at milepost 127 on Washington State Route 20.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

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Region

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Nearby Parks Around Diablo Lake

Compare nearby parks around Diablo Lake when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

7.6 mi away

North Cascades

National Park · WA

114.1 mi away

Olympic

National Park · WA

136.6 mi away

Mount Rainier

National Park · WA

288.0 mi away

Banff

National Park · Canada

325.9 mi away

Glacier

National Park · MT

405.2 mi away

Crater Lake

National Park · OR

Nearby Points of Interest Around Diablo Lake

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0.1 mi away

Diablo Lake Trail

The Diablo Lake Trail lets you experience the natural beauty of the Skagit River lakes and surrounding forest from higher elevations that aren't too hard to reach.

0.1 mi away

North Cascades Environmental Learning Center

The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is the program headquarters for the North Cascades Institute.

0.6 mi away

Diablo Dam

Diablo Dam is one of the dams created by the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, and was once the tallest dam in the world.

1.1 mi away

Sourdough/Pierce Mountain Trail

The climb up Sourdough Mountain is one of the most challenging and rewarding day hikes in North Cascades National Park.

1.2 mi away

Diablo Lake Overlook

The Diablo Lake Overlook on the North Cascades Scenic Highway is a favorite destination for many visitors.