17. Ross Lake Overlook
Situated along the picturesque North Cascades Highway, Ross Lake Overlook gives visitors a beautiful glimpse of the majesty that is the North Cascades. The overlook itself is located at mile 136 just past the turnout for the Happy Creek Nature Trail.
From this viewpoint you can see the southernmost end of Ross Lake which winds its way toward Canada in the distance. There are actually two overlook turnouts that are officially designated as Ross Lake Overlook so don’t worry if you accidentally miss the first one.
There isn’t much else to do from here other than admire the sweeping views so consider this one of the quicker things to do in North Cascades National Park
16. Thunder Arm
Thunder Arm refers to a large, southern turn of Diablo Lake that is less-talked about and fits into the hidden gems category of things to do at North Cascades National Park. To get here, search for Thunder Knob Trailhead on google maps.
In the summer this area is a great spot for a family picnic lunch along the rocky beach featuring epic views of the north cascades mountains across the crystal blue/turquoise lake. In the winter this area totally transforms to a winter wonderland but is typically still accessible depending on weather conditions.
The Thunder Knob Trail located here is a nice, short hike for a leisurely afternoon stroll. Sounds like an idyllic spot for a campground, right? It sure is! Colonial Creek Campground is also located here and is one that I can personally recommend!
