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North Cascades Highway · 5 days

Traverse the 'American Alps' along the scenic WA-20 corridor. This journey highlights the dramatic jagged peaks, turquoise glacial waters of Diablo Lake, and the high-alpine beauty of Washington Pass before descending into the Methow Valley.

5days
15stops
232km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Newhalem · Rockport · Okanogan County — start in Burlington, end in Winthrop.

DAY01

Burlington → Newhalem

99 km · 1h 11m driving · Overnight in Newhalem
  1. Burlington· start
  2. 97 km · 1h 1m
  3. ⭐ North Cascades
  4. 2 km · 10m
  5. Newhalem· overnight
DAY02

Gorge Creek Falls → Ross Lake Overlook

18 km · 30m driving · Overnight in Ross Lake Overlook
  1. Gorge Creek Falls· start
  2. 7.1 km · 10m
  3. ⭐ Diablo Lake Overlook
  4. 6.2 km · 10m
  5. Ross Lake Overlook· overnight
DAY03

Rainy Pass → Liberty Bell Mountain

50 km · 46m driving · Overnight in Liberty Bell Mountain
  1. Rainy Pass· start
  2. 7.5 km · 10m
  3. ⭐ Washington Pass Overlook
  4. 1.6 km · 10m
  5. Liberty Bell Mountain· overnight
DAY04

Blue Lake → Winthrop

52 km · 42m driving · Overnight in Winthrop
  1. ⭐ Blue Lake· start
  2. 26 km · 16m
  3. Mazama Store
  4. 25 km · 16m
  5. Winthrop· overnight
DAY05

Shafer Historical Museum → Winthrop

13 km · 30m driving
  1. Shafer Historical Museum· start
  2. 6.6 km · 10m
  3. ⭐ Sun Mountain Lodge
  4. 6.2 km · 10m
  5. Winthrop Town Center
Heads Up
  • WA-20 is seasonally closed between Ross Dam and Mazama from late autumn to late spring due to heavy snow.
  • Cell service is non-existent for most of the drive through the National Park; download offline maps.
  • A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required for parking at most trailheads.
  • Fuel up in Marblemount or Winthrop as there are no gas stations for over 60 miles in the park core.