Hozomeen

NPS / Astudillo

Until further notice, the gate at Hozomeen will remain closed; vehicle and foot traffic across the US/Canada border is prohibited. Visitors must enter through a designated port of entry. For backcountry permit questions email [e-mail]. (2/13/25)

The name "Hozomeen" comes from the Salish word meaning "sharp like a knife," referring to both the sharp peaks of the mountains and also chert, a type of rock commonly worked into sharp-edged tools by early Native Americans and First Nation members.

Hozomeen lies at the north end of Ross Lake, near the U.S.-Canada border. Visitors to Hozomeen can find a range of activities, including boating, camping, hiking, fishing, and swimming. The remote location of Hozomeen, combined with the calming waters of Ross Lake and the surrounding rugged peaks of the North Cascades, will fill you with wonder and inspiration.

Things to know before you arrive:

• There is no cell phone reception at Hozomeen.
• There are no trash services. Trash that you bring in must be taken out with you.
• Lake levels vary at different times of the year. Ross Lake is usually at full pool (1602.5 ft) from July through Labor Day.
• During August and September large populations of mosquitoes are present. Plan accordingly.
• The Silver Skagit Road may and may not be open depending on the time of year and current conditions. Check road conditions before heading out.

 

Getting to Hozomeen

By Automobile

The only vehicle access to Hozomeen is 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 occur due to sharp rocks. There is no gas or services available at Hozomeen.

By Boat

Hozomeen has two graded cement ramps, which are generally accessible from mid-June through September. There is no boat launch on the south end of Ross Lake; to reach Hozomeen from the south, canoes, kayaks, and small crafts can be launched at Colonial Creek Campground, boated five miles on Diablo Lake, then portaged around Ross Dam to Ross Lake. Ross Lake Resort offers a portage service. Learn more about boating on Ross Lake.

Backcountry Camping

The 31-mile East Bank Trail along Ross Lake connects State Route 20 (at milepost 138) to Hozomeen Campground. This trail takes multiple days to hike, and backcountry permits are required for overnight stays in the backcountry.

 

Camping at Winnebago Flats

Hozomeen Campground has 75 first-come, first-served designated sites, and facilities include pit toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and fire grates. Guests must pack out all trash.
Drive-in campgrounds are on a first-come, first-served basis. Campsites located in the Upper Loop are closed until further notice due to hazard trees.

Backcountry permits for trips starting in Hozomeen will be issued remotely via email, [e-mail].

 

Hiking

Popular trails in the Hozomeen area include the following:

• Trail of the Obelisk / .8 miles (1.3 km) roundtrip
• Hozomeen Lake Trail / 3.6 miles (5.5 km) one way
• East Bank Trail / variable distance

 

For More Information

• 

  Ross Lake

  Ross Lake provides opportunities for visitors to experience a scenic reservoir surrounded by mountain wilderness.

• 

  Boating

  Find information on boating in the park complex.

• 

  Skagit Valley Provincial Park

  Learn about Skagit Valley Provincial Park, located just across the U.S.-Canada Border and managed by BC Parks.

• 

  Fishing

  Fishing is a popular pastime in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.