Washington's Vibrant Alpine Lake Is An Outdoor Haven With Turquoise Water & Scenic Camping

Tucked away within the bounds of one of the United States' least visited national parks lies a stunning, turquoise lake surrounded by lush evergreen forests and talus slopes. The Lake Louise of America, Diablo Lake, is truly a sight to behold. Diablo Lake was formed in 1930 with the construction of Diablo Dam along the upper Skagit River, and it covers over 900 acres of land beneath the towering Sourdough Mountain, Colonial Peak, and Davis Peak. Located within North Cascades National Park in Washington state, this dazzling lake attracts visitors from near and far. It is among the most popular destinations in the entire national park.

A haven for nature lovers, this lake offers incredible vistas along its many trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, great fishing, and scenic campsites speckled throughout the area. Whether you're making a day trip or spending a weekend in the pristine wilderness of North Cascades National Park, Lake Diablo is a must-see when visiting Washington state. You should be awed by the gorgeous color of the water, which is an opaque turquoise blue (especially during the summer months) due to suspended fine rock particles that refract light from above. Lake Diablo is a great place to visit at any time of year and is one of the few places in the national park that remains accessible even during the winter. But, of course, summer is the time when this place truly shines (literally).

Diablo Lake is inside the bounds of North Cascades National Park, which is situated approximately two and a half hours northeast of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Despite North Cascades National Park's reputation for being incredibly remote, Diablo Lake is relatively easy to access since it's crossed over by the only major road going through North Cascades, Highway 20 (also known as the North Cascades Highway).

From Highway 20, you can access the overview and also reach a parking lot a short drive off the highway that serves as the jumping-off point for the highly rated Diablo Lake Trail. A challenging 7.6-mile hike, this trail takes you through the massive cedar and Douglas fir forest, past remarkable cascading falls, across glistening streams, and wilderness that feels untrammeled despite its popularity, eventually leading to the bright blue star of the show.

Aside from hiking, there is plenty to do around Diablo Lake (and Ross Lake to its east), including fishing for naturally reproducing rainbow trout. The area surrounding Diablo and Ross Lakes is encompassed in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, where you can partake in activities such as boating, kayaking, and canoeing. However, there are certain requirements to what kinds of motorized boats are allowed, and personal craft, such as jet skis, are prohibited. Water skiing and tubing are also prohibited. If that's what you're looking for, head toward the southern most tip of the North Cascades, Lake Chelan, a great West Coast lakeside spot in Washington's wine country.

With a place as majestic and beautiful as Diablo Lake, stay for a day or two to truly soak in the immaculate backcountry you can only find in the North Cascades. Luckily, there is plenty of camping and lodging opportunities surrounding the lake that suit a range of preconditions. For sites along the banks of the lake, check out either the Colonial Creek North or Colonial Creek South campgrounds. Both are within the old growth forest with lake access. The north campground has over 40 sites that are suitable for small campers and trailers, and the south campground has just 10 primitive sites that are tent only. There are also boat-in only sites around the nearby Ross Lake at the Hozomeen Campground for those seeking a bit more exclusivity and solitude.

Don't worry if camping isn't your thing; there are other lodging options in the area, such as the Ross Lake Resort. While this resort isn't directly on Diablo Lake, it's only 10 minutes away and still resides along the shores of the beautiful Ross Lake. This awesome resort has been in operation since 1952 and consists of 15 small floating cabins spanning the edge of the water. Open from June to September, this lodge has become increasingly popular and requires a lottery to get a reservation. Don't be discouraged; it's worth the try, and it often gets last-minute availability you can check for on its website. Those who are flexible have the best chance of staying at this wonderful resort. Be sure to add this stop to your Washington road trip, along with Olympic National Park and Mt. Rainier National Park, or make it a trip all its own. You wont regret it!