Chasing mountain views, lush forests, alpine lakes, and the form of distant tranquility that solely the Pacific Northwest can ship, van tenting or RVing by means of the North Cascades signifies that tenting right here moved shortly to the highest of our listing. Tucked away in northern Washington State, the North Cascades are referred to as the “American Alps.” Typically famous as one of many least visited Nationwide Parks, the solitude of North Cascades Nationwide Park makes it certainly one of our favourite summer season locations. With craggy peaks, countless mountaineering trails, and breathtaking viewpoints, this area is tailored for adventurous highway trippers.
The Cascade Loop Scenic Byway: An Overview
Whether or not you’re rolling in a van (like us), towing a trailer, or cruising in an enormous rig, the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway gives a various and unforgettable drive by means of a few of the most stunning and accessible components of Washington. The Cascade Loop is a 440-mile scenic drive that circles by means of 9 of Washington’s most iconic areas. Beginning and ending within the Seattle space, the loop travels by means of Seattle Northcountry, Stevens Cross Greenway, Leavenworth, Lake Chelan, Methow Valley, North Cascades Nationwide Park, and even by means of the San Juan Islands.
Van campers and RVers love this loop for its mixture of backcountry entry and small-town appeal. Anticipate straightforward pull-offs for dispersed tenting, RV parks with facilities, and loads of choices for scenic boondocking. We took on the Cascade Loop this July for a two-week van journey. We stored our plans unfastened and didn’t guide any campsites forward of time as a result of we wished to attempt to expertise the number of choices the loop has to supply.
Mountain Loop Freeway
We started in Seattle Northcountry, visiting a farmers market, grabbing some groceries, and visiting just a few small companies earlier than taking a detour. Branching off from the western fringe of the loop close to Darrington or Granite Falls, the Mountain Loop Freeway is much less traveled however filled with wilderness experiences.
Should-see stops embody:
Large 4 Ice Caves – A brief, family-friendly hike to gorgeous (and chilly) ice formations. In case you are up for a bigger hike, head to the Mount Pilchuck Lookout – The most effective hearth lookout hikes within the state, with views from the Sound to the Cascades.
Tenting Choices
- Paca Delight Visitor Ranch: We booked immediately for this Hipcamp and loved each unimaginable hospitality in addition to a sundown spent with their alpacas earlier than retreating to our quiet van house.
- Verlot Campground – Forested and near a number of trailheads. This can be a primitive campground with potable water entry and vault bathrooms.
- Dispersed Tenting – The Forest Service land alongside the freeway gives quite a few pull-offs and primitive campsites. Many of those are for tent tenting or can accommodate a smaller rig.
Steven’s Cross Greenway
Nestled within the coronary heart of Washington’s scenic Cascade Mountains, the Stevens Cross Greenway gives an unforgettable mix of pure magnificence, outside journey, and quirky appeal. A must-stop alongside this lush hall is the Heybrook Lookout Tower hike, a brief however invigorating path that rewards hikers with panoramic views of Mount Index and the encompassing wilderness from a historic hearth lookout. Simply down the highway, you’ll discover the Espresso Chalet: the right pit cease after your hike.
Leavenworth, Lake Chelan, and Methow Valley
These areas are to not be missed. Whereas on the highway, hovering temperatures and a small wildfire pushed us by means of these areas on the loop to chase cooler temperatures within the mountains; nonetheless, now we have loads of suggestions from earlier journeys.
Leavenworth: This alpine-themed city is a vacationer hotspot. Nice stops for mountaineering, procuring, consuming, and tenting. We cherished our earlier hike in Icicle Creek Canyon in addition to our downtown stroll by means of countless retailers and eating places. Now we have dreamed of returning to camp at Eightmile Campground, about 20 minutes exterior of city.
Lake Chelan: Don’t miss a visit on the lake. Lease a ship or convey a guide and a seashore chair to Lake Chelan for a dreamy lake day. When you’ve got a bit extra time, enterprise to Stehekin. Solely accessible by boat, this quiet city on the north finish of the lake will depart your coronary heart full of affection for a slower tempo of life.
The Methow Valley: The Methow Valley boasts a dry, sunny local weather, which is a stark distinction to the damp forests we had been enveloped in.
Should-see cities on this area embody Winthrop and Twisp. Winthrop is a captivating Outdated West-style city with eating places and retailers galore. Twisp is a low-key artsy city with nice farmers’ markets and wonderful meals on the Twisp River Pub.
North Cascades Nationwide Park: Should-See Stops
- Diablo Lake Overlook – Probably essentially the most iconic viewpoint within the park. The surreal turquoise water surrounded by towering peaks is jaw-dropping. There’s a day-use space, but additionally close by campgrounds like Colonial Creek Campground (RV and van accessible).
- Washington Cross Overlook – Situated simply exterior the park boundaries on Hwy 20. A brief, paved stroll brings you to panoramic views of Liberty Bell Mountain.
- Cascade Cross Trailhead – This 7.5-mile round-trip hike rewards with panoramic alpine views and occasional mountain goat sightings. The highway to the trailhead is gravel and could be tough, finest for smaller vans than giant RVs.
Tenting at Colonial Creek Campground is a good possibility, proper on Diablo Lake with spots for tents and RVs. No hookups, however vault bathrooms and water can be found. That is the place we stayed throughout our time within the North Cascades, and it served as a superb jumping-off level for most of the hikes and overlooks throughout the park.
Mt. Baker Wilderness Space
Although barely off the Cascade Loop, Mt. Baker is effectively well worth the detour. The Mount Baker Freeway (SR 542) results in a few of the most scenic drives and hikes within the state. This was our favourite add-on throughout our journey, and we extremely advocate reserving a number of days to completely expertise the world.
Should-See Stops Embrace:
Artist Level and Heather Meadows. We hiked the Hearth and Ice path with our pups to benefit from the views of the alpine space, together with many blooming wildflowers.
Tenting Choices:
- Silver Fir and Douglas Fir Campgrounds – Forested websites close to the Nooksack River with fundamental facilities.
- Dispersed Tenting – A number of pullouts and primitive websites off SR 542. We opted to remain two nights in two totally different places immediately on the river. When you’ve got four-wheel drive, you’ll be able to even park on the rocky riverbed and camp.
Suggestions for Van Life and RVing within the North Cascades
- Gas Up Typically: Companies are sparse between cities—don’t let your tank drop too low.
- Examine Highway Circumstances: Snow can linger into July at increased elevations. All the time test WSDOT and Nationwide Forest web sites.
- Pack Out What You Pack In: Particularly vital when dispersed tenting—depart no hint.
- Cell Sign Is Spotty: Obtain offline maps and path data forward of time.
Remaining Ideas
Van tenting and RVing by means of the North Cascades and across the Cascade Loop is the form of journey that lingers with you lengthy after the final mountain fades in your rearview mirror. The combination of epic wilderness, charming small cities, and scenic byways makes it a Pacific Northwest highway journey of a lifetime.
