damnitdash
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Everything is updated now! I accidentally clicked too fast and posted while still editing.
Note: This trip took place in late July 2021. The rules and regulations mentioned were accurate at the time, but they may have changed since then.
We were fortunate to snag an incredible 8-day backcountry route in Olympic National Park, but with two weeks off work, I wanted to add something special to our itinerary. While researching the North Cascades, I discovered their paddle-in backcountry sites—how cool is that? With about five days to spare, we decided to make it happen.
Ross Lake offered stunning views and a true sense of solitude. We highly recommend it and can’t wait to return—next time, for a longer adventure!
Helpful info & tips:
Relevant websites:
Our Itinerary
Here’s how our trip shaped up:
(this map shows our Ross Lake campsites and Ross Lake Resort)
Day 1: SeaTac to Newhalem Campground
We picked up our backcountry permits on the way in and had a quick chat with the rangers to gather some up-to-date info.
The campground was pretty big and we reserved site #18 which was a little more private since it was off in the corner of a loop. After setting up camp we hiked the Skagit River Loop.
Day 2: Paddle - Ross Lake Resort to Devil's Junction
There’s a 1-mile hike down to the pickup spot for the boat shuttle to Ross Lake Resort. When you arrive, you’ll find a telephone at the dock—just give them a call, and they’ll come get you. I don't believe this shuttle cost anything or if it did, then it was nominal. If you’d rather skip the shuttle, you can cross the dam and take the trail around instead.
We picked up our canoe, paddles, and life vests at the resort, loaded up, and set off on the water. A pro tip: Ross Lake Resort offers bag storage in their boat shed, which we found super helpful. We used our backpacks to haul gear but didn’t want to risk them getting soaked before our Olympic adventure.
During our paddle, there were forest fires nearby, and we got to witness three firefighting planes scoop water from the lake one after another—an incredible sight!
Before reaching our first campsite, we took a short detour to explore the inlet at Devil’s Creek. If you have the time, I highly recommend checking it out—it’s a beautiful and serene spot!
I think it only took around 3 hours to arrive at the campsite and that's with exploring and stopping for lunch.
Devil’s Junction boat camp has just one site, so we had it all to ourselves.
(hike from the TH to the Ross Lake Resort water taxi pickup)
(Ross Lake Resort and our rental canoe)
(Ross Lake Dam behind us)
(Devil's Creek inlet with fireplane in background)
(Devil's Creek inlet)
Day 3: Paddle - Devil's Junction to Spencer's
We explored the shoreline as we paddled, spotting a waterfall along the way. While we stopped for lunch on the boat, some sort of crustacean curiously checked us out. For our next stretch, we stuck to the same shoreline to reach our next campsite. Paddling wasn’t as easy as the first day, but it was still manageable.
Spencer’s Camp, located on an island, has two sites—and plenty of mice to keep you company. With the sun shining, we took a quick swim to rinse off and cool down. Afterward, we spent some time exploring the island.
(view from Spencer's Camp)
Day 4: Paddle - Spencer's Camp to Green Point
We checked out the area behind Spencer’s Island before crossing the lake. Going around the point near Cougar Island was brutal with the wind—I swear we were paddling with all our might and barely moving forward! But we made it to Green Point in the end.
Even with five sites, Green Point Campground was packed! We were the last to arrive and ended up with the group site, which we shared with a PNT backpacker who had been re-routed due to forest fires.
(sunset from Green Point)
Day 5: Green Point to Ross Lake Resort, Gorge Lake Campground
The paddle back to the resort was easy and short. Once there, we took the resort water taxi and hiked back up to our car. On the way to our next stop, we paused at the Diablo Lake Overlook to take in the stunning views before heading to Gorge Lake Campground.
The campground is small, with only eight sites. We ended up at site #8, the accessible site near the dock, which felt a little more private than the others. The sites along the bank are pretty tight, but the sound of rushing water makes for a soothing backdrop as you drift off to sleep. A neighboring camper gutted the fish she’d just caught right on the dock near our campsite—cool, cool.
(Diablo Lake Overlook)
(Gorge Lake Campground, Site #8)
Note: This trip took place in late July 2021. The rules and regulations mentioned were accurate at the time, but they may have changed since then.
We were fortunate to snag an incredible 8-day backcountry route in Olympic National Park, but with two weeks off work, I wanted to add something special to our itinerary. While researching the North Cascades, I discovered their paddle-in backcountry sites—how cool is that? With about five days to spare, we decided to make it happen.
Ross Lake offered stunning views and a true sense of solitude. We highly recommend it and can’t wait to return—next time, for a longer adventure!
Helpful info & tips:
- Ross Lake offers a peaceful paddling experience, largely due to the limited number of motorized boats. Most are either hiker shuttles or rentals from Ross Lake Resort, all of which are required to use low-impact engines
- The wind typically carries you north on Ross Lake, so we planned our route accordingly. We chose our first night at the furthest campsite and then worked our way back south, paddling against the wind toward the resort.
- Backcountry permits are required for overnight camping at boat camps.
- All Ross Lake campsites are equipped with fire-rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and bear-resistant food storage boxes. Some have docks.
- We rented a canoe from Ross Lake Resort, which also offers kayaks if that’s more your style. The process was easy, and the staff were great.
Relevant websites:
Our Itinerary
Here’s how our trip shaped up:
- Car Camp: Newhalem Campground
- Ross Lake Night 1: Devil’s Junction – 9 miles from Ross Dam.
- Ross Lake Night 2: Spencer’s – 4.3 miles from Ross Dam.
- Ross Lake Night 3: Green Point – just 0.8 miles from Ross Dam
- Car Camp: Gorge Lake Campground
(this map shows our Ross Lake campsites and Ross Lake Resort)
Day 1: SeaTac to Newhalem Campground
We picked up our backcountry permits on the way in and had a quick chat with the rangers to gather some up-to-date info.
The campground was pretty big and we reserved site #18 which was a little more private since it was off in the corner of a loop. After setting up camp we hiked the Skagit River Loop.
Day 2: Paddle - Ross Lake Resort to Devil's Junction
There’s a 1-mile hike down to the pickup spot for the boat shuttle to Ross Lake Resort. When you arrive, you’ll find a telephone at the dock—just give them a call, and they’ll come get you. I don't believe this shuttle cost anything or if it did, then it was nominal. If you’d rather skip the shuttle, you can cross the dam and take the trail around instead.
We picked up our canoe, paddles, and life vests at the resort, loaded up, and set off on the water. A pro tip: Ross Lake Resort offers bag storage in their boat shed, which we found super helpful. We used our backpacks to haul gear but didn’t want to risk them getting soaked before our Olympic adventure.
During our paddle, there were forest fires nearby, and we got to witness three firefighting planes scoop water from the lake one after another—an incredible sight!
Before reaching our first campsite, we took a short detour to explore the inlet at Devil’s Creek. If you have the time, I highly recommend checking it out—it’s a beautiful and serene spot!
I think it only took around 3 hours to arrive at the campsite and that's with exploring and stopping for lunch.
Devil’s Junction boat camp has just one site, so we had it all to ourselves.
(hike from the TH to the Ross Lake Resort water taxi pickup)
(Ross Lake Resort and our rental canoe)
(Ross Lake Dam behind us)
(Devil's Creek inlet with fireplane in background)
(Devil's Creek inlet)
Day 3: Paddle - Devil's Junction to Spencer's
We explored the shoreline as we paddled, spotting a waterfall along the way. While we stopped for lunch on the boat, some sort of crustacean curiously checked us out. For our next stretch, we stuck to the same shoreline to reach our next campsite. Paddling wasn’t as easy as the first day, but it was still manageable.
Spencer’s Camp, located on an island, has two sites—and plenty of mice to keep you company. With the sun shining, we took a quick swim to rinse off and cool down. Afterward, we spent some time exploring the island.
(view from Spencer's Camp)
Day 4: Paddle - Spencer's Camp to Green Point
We checked out the area behind Spencer’s Island before crossing the lake. Going around the point near Cougar Island was brutal with the wind—I swear we were paddling with all our might and barely moving forward! But we made it to Green Point in the end.
Even with five sites, Green Point Campground was packed! We were the last to arrive and ended up with the group site, which we shared with a PNT backpacker who had been re-routed due to forest fires.
(sunset from Green Point)
Day 5: Green Point to Ross Lake Resort, Gorge Lake Campground
The paddle back to the resort was easy and short. Once there, we took the resort water taxi and hiked back up to our car. On the way to our next stop, we paused at the Diablo Lake Overlook to take in the stunning views before heading to Gorge Lake Campground.
The campground is small, with only eight sites. We ended up at site #8, the accessible site near the dock, which felt a little more private than the others. The sites along the bank are pretty tight, but the sound of rushing water makes for a soothing backdrop as you drift off to sleep. A neighboring camper gutted the fish she’d just caught right on the dock near our campsite—cool, cool.
(Diablo Lake Overlook)
(Gorge Lake Campground, Site #8)
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