Wonderful Washington: Kayak across the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake
If you’re feeling a little blue, a trip to Diablo Lake can help change your mood. Staring into the vastness of the lake will ease your pain, reminding you of how insignificant your problems are compared to the greatness of the world.
Although Diablo lake itself is a man-made reservoir created by the Diablo hydroelectric dam, you won’t feel like it’s artificial with the amount of nature nearby. We can thank glacial flour in the water for the stunning turquoise color of the lake — much of the water is fed by Thunder Creek Basin.
With both touristy spots and hidden nooks, you’re sure to find your happy place at one of Washington’s favorite lakes.
For your own safety, please make sure you are prepared before heading out on your next adventure. Information on how to prepare for your trip and stay safe while on your hike is available from waparks.org and parks.wa.gov. Always remember to leave no trace, pack out what you pack in, stick to designated trails, and refrain from feeding wildlife — and please note that irresponsibly taken selfies (even if they look great for the ‘gram) can be fatal.
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Where is it?
Diablo Lake is located in the North Cascades in Rockport, Washington.
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How do you get there?
Drive east on the North Cascades Highway and across the Gorge Lake Bridge. Continue for 1.5 miles and then turn left onto Diablo Dam Road. From there, follow signs for the North Cascades Environmental Center to get to the Diablo trailhead.
The drive should take you around 2.5 hours from Seattle.
What’s there?
Many visitors to Diablo Lake opt to hike the 7.5 mile Diablo Lake Trail that allows them to view the gigantic Ross Dam and witness breathtaking lake views. Visitors who’d rather not hike should visit in the summer, when they can obtain similarly pretty views by taking the ferry to the docks near the trailhead.
During the summer, take a dip, kayak, or play tourist for the day, enjoying lunch aboard a Diablo Lake Boat Tour, where you’ll learn about the area’s natural history, biodiversity, and geology of the lake. Boat tours start in June and run until the end of September.
If you really have no time to spare, make a stop on Highway 20 and peek at the water from the Diablo Lake overlook.
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