| Ross Lake National Recreation Area | |
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IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)[1] | |
 Ross Lake from Desolation Peak in 2017 | |
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 Interactive map of Ross Lake National Recreation Area | |
| Location | Whatcom County andSkagit County, Washington, United States |
| Nearest city | Newhalem, Washington |
| Coordinates | 48°40′23″N121°14′43″W / 48.67306°N 121.24528°W /48.67306; -121.24528 |
| Area | 117,575 acres (475.81 km2)[2] |
| Established | October 2, 1968 |
| Visitors | 998,019 (in 2022)[3] |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | North Cascades National Park |
Ross Lake National Recreation Area is a USnational recreation area in north centralWashington just south of theCanada–US border. It is the most accessible part of theNorth Cascades National Park Complex which also includesNorth Cascades National Park andLake Chelan National Recreation Area. Ross Lake NRA follows theSkagit River corridor from the Canada–US border to the western foothills of theCascades. The NRA contains a portion of scenic Washington State Route 20, theNorth Cascades Highway, and includes threereservoirs: 12,000-acre (4,900 ha)Ross Lake, 910-acre (370 ha)Diablo Lake, and 210-acre (85 ha) Gorge Lake. These reservoirs make up theSkagit River Hydroelectric Project operated bySeattle City Light. Nestled in the "American Alps" the Ross Lake NRA bisects the north and south units ofNorth Cascades National Park.
Ross Lake National Recreation Area is a major recreation destination in the Northern Cascades, attracting visitors from across the US and Canada with fishing, hunting, canoeing, kayaking, climbing and hiking opportunities. The NRA contains trailheads that connect to hundreds of miles of hiking trails in adjoining North Cascades National Park,Pasayten Wilderness andSkagit Valley Provincial Park.National Park Service campgrounds along the North Cascades Highway including Newhalem Creek, Colonial Creek and Goodall Creek feature tent and RV camping.Newhalem, Washington is home to both the North Cascades Visitor Center and the Skagit Information Center. Along Ross Lake and Diablo reservoirs boat-in camping is allowed, permits are required from the Wilderness Information Center inMarblemount, Washington.
Desolation Peak Lookout remains an operational fire lookout staffed each summer by fire personnel. The lookout features sweeping vistas of North Cascade peaks includingHozomeen Mountain. The lookout is best known as the setting forJack Kerouac's novelDesolation Angels. Kerouac spent the summer of 1956 manning the 14-by-14-foot (4.3 by 4.3 m) structure for theU.S. Forest Service. The lookout can be accessed via a six-mile (10 km) trail from the shore ofRoss Lake.
Ross Lake NRA provides the primary access points for motorists and backpackers entering the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Public automobile access is allowed via two roads. Most travelers in the region use the North Cascades Highway, which bisects the National Recreation Area east to west. The second vehicle access point is the southern terminus of the 43-mile (69 km) gravel Silver Skagit Road just south of the Canada–US border at the Hozomeen campground. The nearest large town on the west side of the park isSedro-Woolley, Washington, whileWinthrop lies to the east andHope, British Columbia to the north. The entrance to the complex lies 50 miles (80 km) east ofInterstate 5. No entrance fee is charged for North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, orLake Chelan National Recreation Area.
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