The ferry across Diablo Lake on the way to Ross Lake
Ross Lake is a gem and a highlight for those visiting the North Cascades National Park. But the logistics of getting there can be confusing and daunting to the point where many people simply give up. This is because Ross Lake is a reservoir created by a dam and the steep walls of the canyon make reaching the lake a challenge.
We recently planned our first trip there and literally spent hours trying to figure out the best way to get there and try our hand at boat camping. So to help others, here’s what you need to know to plan a trip on your own.
There are many options and none of them are simple:
Drive:
You can see a small sliver of Ross Lake from Highway 20 as you drive through the North Cascades. But that’s about it. The highway travels high above the lake and there isn’t a place to reach to the lake itself by vehicle – at least not on the US side of the lake. From the Canadian end you can launch a boat at Hozomeen but this requires a long drive down a 37-mile dirt road so it limits the size of watercraft you can tow.
Hike:
Along Highway 20 at milepost 134, park at the Ross Dam trailhead and hike one mile downhill to the lake. Call Ross Lake Resort from the landline phone on the shore for a water taxi to the resort ($2/pp one way). You can also backpack to the lake on the East Bank Trail and reach campsites by foot. We met several backpackers visiting this way. A big upside is that it’s completely free – entry to the National Park is free and camping permits are no charge.
Ferry/Truck/Water Taxi
Getting ready to load gear onto the ferry at Diablo Lake
The most common way for visitors to reach the lake is a combination of ferries and shuttles. Park at the Diablo Lake boat launch (Diablo Lake is the next lake downriver from Ross Lake – also formed by a dam). A Seattle City Light ferry boat departs the dock at 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM ($10/pp one way). This crosses the emerald Diablo Lake which is worth the ride just for the stellar views. The ferry meets up with a flatbed truck ($10/pp round trip) so you’ll transfer your gear and drive up a steep hill to Ross Lake. From there a water taxi zips across the lake a short distance to Ross Lake Resort. This rout allows you to easily transport your bags and we saw lots of fishing gear, coolers and provisions for a week’s worth of camping being transported this way.
A flatbed truck hauls people and gear to the Ross Lake Resort water taxi
The emerald water of Diablo Lake is worth the ferry ride even if you’re not traveling to Ross Lake
Canoe/Kayak
You can paddle across Diablo Lake and use the same flatbed truck to portage your boat to Ross Lake for an additional fee ($35). Be advised that your boat must be small enough to get it into the truck, so if you can’t lift it over your head, you’d better find a smaller boat.
Ross Lake Resort
One of the most interesting places you can spend the night in Washington State is at Ross Lake Resort. Built on the remains of a floating logging camp, there are modern floating cabins ranging in size for 2-10 people. It’s commonly used as a fishing camp or simply a great place to unwind without the internet or cell phone service. Getting reservations can be difficult – reservations are made starting 1 year in advance and waitlists are crowded. Priority is given to the groups that have been visiting for years (if not decades) and groups tend to book the same weeks year after year which forms a nice community of people who know each other. To get there follow the Ferry/Truck/Water Taxi instructions or the hiking instructions. Note the resort is only open from mid June to October 31st. www.rosslakeresort.com
Imagine spending a week at a floating camp with views like this one just outside your window
Rent a Boat
Ross Lake Resort offers canoe, kayak and motor boat rentals even if you’re not staying at the resort itself. Reservations are highly encouraged especially on busy summer weekends. Boats can be rented by the day, so it’s pretty easy to schedule a boat and then get camping reservations that coincide. Fishing gear is also available for rent.
Camping
Ross Lake’s boat-in campgrounds are some of the best in the state. Free backcountry camping permits must be obtained in advance. Many are issued through an online lottery but many sites are held for last minute visitors and cannot be reserved through a lottery. Walk-in permits are issued within 24 hours of the start of your trip at the Marblemount or Winthrop ranger stations. We were able to secure great campsites the day before our trip even though it was a summer weekend. It helped that we had a small group and a motorboat reserved so we weren’t limited to how far we could travel in a day. The camps closest to Ross Lake Resort tend to fill up quickly by those traveling by canoe or kayak. If you don’t want to rent a boat, Ross Lake Resort also offers a boat shuttle service to various campgrounds on the lake. Click Here for permit info.
