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Ross Lake
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National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
North Cascades National Park Service Complex
Ross Lake National Recreation Area
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By Automobile |
The only vehicle access to Ross Lake is at Hozomeen, reached via the
Silver-Skagit Road, a 39-mile (62.4 km) gravel road leaving Highway 1
just three kilometers west of Hope, British Columbia (exit 168). The
Silver-Skagit Road is graded at times, but washboards and potholes are
common. Carry a spare tire as flats are common. Call 360-856-5700 for
current conditions.
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By Boat |
Two graded cement ramps at Hozomeen are normally usable from mid-June
through September. Alternately, canoes, kayaks and small craft can be
launched at Colonial Creek Campground, boated five miles on Diablo Lake,
then portaged around Ross Dam to Ross Lake. To avoid the mile long 600
foot climb, boaters can contact Ross Lake Resort (206-386-4437) to haul
canoes and motorboats under 14 feet for a fee.
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By Foot |
Three trails provide easy to moderate day hikes to Ross Lake. Ross Dam
Trail descends 500 feet in less than a mile from State Route 20 (m.p.
134) on the south side of Ross Lake. Diablo Lake Trail wanders 3.8
miles along Diablo Lake to the access road below Ross Dam. The 31 mile
East Bank Trail along Ross Lake connects S. R. 20 (at milepost 138) to
Hozomeen Campground.
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Hozomeen Campground |
At the north end of Ross Lake along the International Boundary, Hozomeen
Campground is open from late May through October. There is no fee or
garbage service. Facilities include boat launches, pit toilets,
potable water, picnic tables and fire grates. Contact Ranger Station
for programs & information.
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Boat-in Campgrounds |
There are 19 boat-access backcountry campgrounds along Ross Lake. All
have pit toilets, fire grates, picnic tables and wildlife-resistant
food storage boxes. A backcountry permit is required for all over night
stays in these sites and may be obtained from the Wilderness Information
Center in Marblemount or the Hozomeen Ranger Station on a first-come,
first-served basis. Party size limit is 12 individuals.
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Ross Lake Boat Access Campgrounds |
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Campground |
Miles (km) from Ross Dam |
Miles (km) from Hozomeen |
Number of Sites |
Group Sites |
Trail Access |
Boat Dock |
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Green Point |
0.8 (1.3) |
21.4 (34.4) |
5 |
X |
X |
X |
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Cougar Island |
2.4 (3.9) |
19.7 (31.7) |
2 |
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X |
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Roland Point |
4.1 (6.5) |
18.1 (29.1) |
1 |
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McMillan |
4.3 (6.9) |
17.8 (28.7) |
3 |
X |
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X |
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Big Beaver |
4.5 (7.3) |
17.6 (28.3) |
7 |
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X |
X |
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Spencer's |
4.4 (7.1) |
17.7 (28.5) |
2 |
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X |
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May Creek |
5.0 (8.0) |
17.2 (27.7) |
1 |
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X |
X |
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Rainbow Point |
6.2 (10.0) |
15.9 (25.6) |
3 |
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X |
X |
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Devil's Junction |
9.2 (14.8) |
12.9 (20.8) |
1 |
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X |
X |
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Ten Mile Island |
9.9 (15.9) |
12.2 (19.7) |
3 |
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Dry Creek |
10.4 (16.7) |
11.8 (19.0) |
4 |
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Ponderosa |
10.9 (17.6) |
11.2 (18.0) |
2 |
X |
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Lodgepole |
11.4 (18.4) |
10.7 (17.3) |
3 |
X |
X |
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Lightning Creek Stock Camp |
11.8 (18.9) |
10.4 (16.7) |
3 |
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X |
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Lightning Creek Boat Camp |
12.0 (19.3) |
10.2 (16.3) |
6 |
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X |
X |
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Cat Island |
13.0 (20.8) |
9.2 (14.8) |
4 |
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X |
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Little Beaver |
15.1 (24.3) |
7.0 (11.3) |
5 |
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X |
X |
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Boundary Bay |
16.5 (26.5) |
5.7 (9.1) |
3 |
X |
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Silver Creek |
20.3 (32.6) |
1.9 (3.0) |
3 |
X |
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X |
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Ross Lake Campground |
Administered by Skagit Valley Provincial Park (BC Parks), this
campground offers pit toilets, fire grates, firewood, potable water and
a playground for a fee. The adjacent International Point Day Use Area
has a boat launch and swimming area.
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Boating Regulations |
All federal and state boating regulations are enforced on Ross Lake.
Approved PFD's, oars, bailing buckets and running lights are
required. No personal watercraft (i.e. jet skis) are allowed on Ross
Lake. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the Canadian section of the
Skagit River.
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Boating Safety |
Ross Lake is a reservoir with unpredictable water levels and many hidden
dangers such as submerged logs. Ross Lake is usually at full pool
(1602.5', 488.8 m) from July through Labor Day. Winds can be strong,
most commonly going north in the afternoon. Safest paddling is along
the eastern shore with more camp and trail access.
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Fishing |
The Ross Lake fishing season is from July 1 - October 31. A Washington
State fishing license is required and all Washington Game Fish
regulations, seasons, and catch limits apply. Only artificial flies or
lures with barbless hooks are allowed (no bait). Ask a Ranger for more
information. Closed waters include all of Ruby Creek, 1/4 mile (0.4 km)
upstream along Big Beaver Creek, and one mile (1.6 km) upstream on all
other tributaries.
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Trails |
Trails along Ross Lake offer a variety of experiences from the ancient
cedar forests of Big Beaver Valley and the scenic East Bank Trail to
panoramic vistas from a historic fire lookout atop Desolation Peak.
Conditions change rapidly, so be prepared and always carry the 10
essentials. For more information call (360) 856-5700 or visit the
North Cascades National Park website at www.nps.gov/noca.
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Backcountry Camping |
A free permit is required for all overnight stays in the backcountry and
may be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis from the Wilderness
Information Center in Marblemount (360-873-4590 x39) or the Ranger
Station in Hozomeen. Camp only in designated sites. Please leave no
trace of your visit to this wilderness park.
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Boat Taxi |
Arrangements can be made with Ross Lake Resort (206-386-4437) for a
water taxi drop-off or pick-up at any of the trailheads on Ross Lake. A
courtesy phone is available across the lake from the resort at the
bottom of the Ross Dam Trail. Rates are per boat ride (up to six
people) and one-way.
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You Can Help |
- Camp only in designated sites.
- Stay on established trails at all times.
- Keep fires small and within fire grates.
- Use driftwood for campfires. The cutting of standing trees is prohibited.
- Carry out all trash and keep a clean camp. Do not burn trash.
- Hunting is allowed in Ross Lake NRA. Ask for more information.
- Keep pets on leash at all times (no pets allowed in National Park proper).
- Be respectful of other visitors (Quiet hours are from 10:00pm - 6:00 am).
- Store all food and scented items inside vehicles or wildlife-resistant containers.
Food left in coolers, tents and on tables attracts wildlife that can become
dangerous to humans. A fed bear is a dead bear.
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Leave No Trace Principles |
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
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North Cascades National Park Service Complex
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