Best of the North Cascades

Heather Meadows Area [1]: One of the North Cascades’ best year-round recreational destinations, this serene spot at the base of Mount Baker is equally beautiful blanketed with snow or flowers.

Ross Lake [2]: Get a bird’s-eye view of this massive reservoir from the trails that summit nearby peaks, or see it from water level on a motorboat or canoe.

Lake Chelan [3]: This is the state’s longest lake and a favorite summertime destination for travelers looking to splash around and then dry out under central Washington’s hot summer sun.

Stehekin [4]: Reachable only by boat, this little mountain hamlet is a hub for hikers exploring deep into the Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, or Glacier Peak Wilderness.

The Bavarian Village [5]: Cozied up under mountainsides that look strikingly similar to the Alps, Leavenworth dresses up as a delightfully campy Bavarian town.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area [6]: Crystalline lakes, craggy mountaintops, and emerald meadows await the hearty adventurer willing to trek into this pristine wilderness.

Wallace Falls State Park [7]: You can see this white gush of water from Highway 2, but don’t just zoom by. The trails that take you up close are well worth the effort.