Reader Trip: Bald Eagles and Sunshine on the Skagit River

Even bald eagles enjoy relaxing in the sunshine. Northwest TripFinder reader Josh Pelman captured this shot of an adult bald eagle from below during his trip to visit the Skagit River Bald Eagle Festival this past weekend. The pilgrimage to see this dense congregation of eagles is a winter tradition in the North Cascade Mountains along the scenic […]

On the Mountain with Jack Kerouac

In 1956, twelve years before the land under his boots would become North Cascades National Park, Jack Kerouac spent 63 days in the deep, craggy wilderness of Washington state. It was a year before the publication of On The Road, a year before Jack Kerouac would become a household name and a beat generation icon. […]

Greetings from Snoqualmie Falls

I’ve been experimenting with Photoshop to replicate some of my favorite vintage postcard designs. This, of course, is Snoqualmie Falls. The font is inspired by none other than Twin Peaks. And, am I ever grateful that old episodes of Twin Peaks are on Netflix. However would I get through a Pacific Northwest winter without it?

A Scenic Drive Through the North Cascades

There’s something magnetic about the varied scenery here that draws us out onto the open road. If you’ve got a cooler packed with snacks, a road map and a tank full of gas, you’re ready to take a drive. And a great road to do just that is the North Cascades Scenic Highway (State Route […]

Cargo Camping: Reserve a Rehabbed Shipping Container

When I was a kid I was obsessed with a classic children’s book called The Boxcar Children.  These four kids are suddenly orphaned and instead of living with a grandfather they’ve never met, they decide to make a home for themselves in an abandoned railroad car in the woods. They sleep on beds made of soft pine needles, forage […]

HIKE IT: Colchuck Lake

Icicle Canyon near Leavenworth is such a treat in September after Labor Day. Summer draws crowds of hikers, campers and climbers to this area, but in fall you’ll have a little solitude on the trail and much less of an issue snagging a campsite. Birds and other wildlife become more active in fall as they prepare for hibernation or […]

CAMP: Ida Creek Campground near Leavenworth

Details: 10 sites, $19 a night. RVs to 30 feet Water and vault toilets. No reservations; campsites are first-come, first-serve. Campground info. The Icicle River canyon just east of Leavenworth is one of the most beautiful areas of Washington state, and so naturally it’s a magnet for hikers and rock climbers all summer long. It’s on the confluence […]

CAMP: Nason Creek Campground near Lake Wenatchee

Skip the crowds camping on top of each other at Lake Wenatchee State Park and opt for this nearby US Forest Service campground, complete with flush toilets and potable water. You can walk from here to Lake Wenatchee State Park if you want a shower, canoe rental, horseback ride or ice cream cone. We especially love the tent-only […]

CAMP: Lake Chelan State Park and Campground

Location: South Shore of Lake Chelan in Washington State campground website | (509) 687-3710 | Reservations Campground type: state park, 109 tent spaces, 35 utility spaces, one dump station, five restrooms and five showers. A summer vacation on Lake Chelan is a must-do for many Washington families, and Lake Chelan State Park is pretty much the epicenter of all that family […]

Q: Can We Rent Canoes on Diablo Lake at Colonial Creek Campground?

Dear TripFinder, Hi there. I was wondering if you could give me some information regarding canoe rentals in North Cascades National Park. Do you know if they have canoe rentals available at Colonial Creek Campground? Thanks! -Vicky Dear Vicky, The waters of Diablo Lake are a brilliant jade green color, created by cold glacial runoff […]