Diablo Lake

Nature in Cascade Mountains, Washington, United States

• Best months: May–October
• Elevation gain: 0 m
• Open weeks per year: 26

Access & fees

• no entrance fee (fee: none · park: North Cascades National Park)

Things to do

• camping — multiple types (types: drive-in, boat-in, backpacking)
• fishing — trout species (species: rainbow, cutthroat, brook, bull trout · restriction: no two-pole fishing)
• hiking — diablo lake trail (gain ft: ~1,300 · distance: 7.5–7.6 mi out-and-back · difficulty: moderate)
• hiking — thunder knob trail (distance: 3.5 mi out-and-back · difficulty: moderate, family-friendly)
• kayaking and canoeing

Amenities

• boat launch at campground (location: Colonial Creek Campground)
• overlook parking and facilities (includes: auto, RV/bus parking, picnic tables, vault toilets)

Best time to visit

• peak turquoise color (window: July–September, sunny days)

Features

• diablo dam, 1930 (operator: Seattle City Light · operational: 1936)
• glacial flour coloration (cause: suspended rock particles refracting sunlight)

Nearby

• north cascades visitor center
• ross lake and gorge lake (relation: adjacent reservoirs, same dam system)

Good to know

• 125 miles from seattle (route: Highway 20)
• arrive by mid-morning (reason: first-come sites fill fast in summer)
• reservations book quickly (tip: reserve well in advance for summer)