Along the Cascade Loop, you’ll see a little slice of all that makes Washington great: a series of mountain passes, rivers, and lakes that feel distinctly Pacific Northwestern. The roadway passes through the spiky summits of North Cascades National Park, past the fertile farmlands of the Skagit Valley and the apple orchards of Wenatchee, and along the shorelines of Lake Chelan. You’ll stop in charming small towns like the Bavarian-style Leavenworth and the Western-themed Winthrop. Yep, we’re claiming this as one of the most beautiful road trips in the United States, and we’re not alone in that thinking: in January 2021, the Cascade Loop was designated as one of the country’s 34 National Scenic Byways.
You could drive the Cascade Loop in a weekend, but give yourself four or five days to truly experience it. The North Cascades Highway, or State Route 20, is closed in winter and reopens each spring, usually by late May. Plan on heading out between June and October, but check the site for the latest information on opening dates. Driving an electric car? You’ll find plenty of along the way. Though you can drive the loop in either direction, go counterclockwise for the best views. Start in the town of Everett, 30 minutes north of Seattle, then make your way east on Highway 2 along the Skykomish River and over Stevens Pass. Here are some stops worth pulling off for.
Mile 29: Wallace Falls State Park
Grab a coffee and a made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuit egg sandwich from in the waterfront city of Everett. Then put Snohomish—the Antique Capital of the Northwest—into your navigation system. If you’re into collecting or just browsing funky old stuff, pull over at the or the for relics from a bygone era. Afterward, stretch your legs at , where the 5.6-mile round-trip passes nine waterfalls, including the 265-foot Middle Falls.
Mile 65: Stevens Pass Bike Park
The is slated to reopen this summer after a brief hiatus. This is Washington’s only lift-accessed mountain biking, with purpose-built singletrack and flow trails, jumps, tabletops, drops, berms, and a pump track. If you’re not a biker, there’s still plenty to do at Stevens Pass in summer, including hiking, scenic lift rides, and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Mile 100: Leavenworth
Spend a night or two in the faux Bavaria that is Leavenworth. The budget-friendly hotel brand opened a downtown outpost here in 2020, with gear and bike rentals, live music, free morning yoga, and an outdoor beer garden (from $109). This Alps-style town has ample places to drink beer, but we like the for rice bowls and cocktails or for cider. The next morning, grab coffee and a breakfast burrito at before heading to the 4.2-mile , a well-loved hike in the Icicle Creek Valley.
Mile 123: Wenatchee
Wenatchee feels worlds away from the mountain passes you’ve just driven over so far. This rolling, fertile farmland has heaps of you-pick apple farms and fruit stands during the late-summer and fall growing season. Stop by , which has shops, cafés, and tasting rooms in a former steel factory, and for peaches or cherries. Right before you hit Lake Chelan, pull over at , a roadside stand on the shores of the Columbia River that sells coffee and whatever produce is in season.
Mile 152: Lake Chelan
As the largest lake in the state and the third deepest in the United States, this natural wonder is 50 miles long and around 1,500 feet deep. Ditch your car and hop aboard the to Stehekin, a roadless lakefront community accessible only via hiking or boating. Once you’re there, you can get strawberry-rhubarb pie and a log cabin to sleep in at the (from $240), or stay at the 27-room (from $249), located right at the ferry landing. From there, you’re in a prime location to paddleboard, kayak, or hike.
Mile 207: Twisp
In winter, the 60-mile-long Methow Valley is known for its 200 kilometers of nordic ski trails. But in summer, they make for great hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. The town of Twisp is known for its arts and culture scene, thanks to its festivals, downtown art galleries, and maker’s markets. The , held in Twisp on Saturdays from April through October, sells locally grown produce and handcrafted goods. Don’t miss a visit to and the, both in town.
Mile 215: Winthrop
The town of Winthrop, eight miles down State Route 20 from Twisp and still a part of the Methow Valley, feels like a place locked in time—the main street is designed to look like an 1850s Western town. Here, you can take old-timey photos, fly-fish for trout on the Methow River, or sleep in a covered wagon at the (from $142). For a comfier base camp, stay at one of six rustic (from $135), design-forward tiny homes in the valley, or a guest room at the 18-room (from $150) in nearby Mazama. Make sure to fill up on gas there, because it’s up and over the remote North Cascades Highway next.
Mile 286: Diablo Lake Overlook and Trail
Take your time driving over this pass. It’s downright gorgeous. Pull over at the for a view of the turquoise water located within North Cascades National Park. Hike the 7.6-mile , which is accessible from the highway, and you’ll cross over the lake on a high-strung suspension bridge. If you want to stay overnight in the park, there are a handful of—check for availability at the drive-in (from $20). Alternatively, the , an educational field campus, has overnight accommodations (from $81) near the shores of Diablo Lake. Stop for pizza at the Eatery in Rockport’s , a winery that also has campsites.
Mile 336: Edison
End your road trip in the bountiful Skagit Valley, known for its springtime tulip festival. Stay at the (from $350), a three-bedroom rental in an old schoolhouse that’s connected to a contemporary art gallery in the village of Edison. The popular , in town, is worth the wait for its creative sandwiches. Need a souvenir? Stop into , in the nearby town of Mount Vernon, for a sweatshirt designed by a local artist and printed on-site.