Kayaking Diablo Lake: Everything You Need to Know for an Epic Paddling Adventure
Kayaking Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park is easily one of the most stunning paddling experiences in all of Washington. No trip to the North Cascades National Park complex is complete without making a visit to this gorgeous body of water, and I’m here to tell you how to make it happen!
As an adventure travel writer and Pacific Northwest local, I’ve spent years planning and embarking on outdoor-focused trips around Washington, from backcountry hikes to scenic paddling routes. When I first kayaked Diablo Lake, I was completely blown away by its beauty. But I also learned firsthand what it takes to plan a successful kayaking trip here, and now I want to share it with you so you don’t deal with the same headaches that I did!
If you’re visiting North Cascades National Park for the first time and want to kayak Diablo Lake, you probably have questions: Where can you rent kayaks near Diablo Lake? Do you need a permit? How challenging is it to paddle Diablo Lake?
Those are the exact questions I’m here to help answer. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan your own Diablo Lake kayaking adventure—so you can confidently hit the water and soak in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Washington! Keep reading to dive into everything you need to know before getting out on the water and kayaking Diablo Lake.
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Why Kayak Diablo Lake?
If you’ve never visited North Cascades National Park before, you might be wondering: “why do I need to kayak Diablo Lake, can’t I just see it from the shore?“. And while, yes, you can technically enjoy the beauty of Diablo Lake from the shore, it’s a much more immersive way to experience the serenity of this unique section of the park.
Plus, by kayaking out on Diablo Lake you’ll have a much more peaceful and less crowded experience—it’s one of the most fun kayaking adventures I’ve ever had! Even on Labor Day weekend, I mostly had the lake all to myself despite the beaches being overly crowded.
Most people don’t realize you have to plan ahead to kayak Diablo Lake (likely because they haven’t read this blog post!). There aren’t any kayak rental concessioners directly on the lake, so if you don’t come prepared you won’t be able to get out on the water.
Where is Diablo Lake?
Diablo Lake is a large, glacier-fed reservoir located in North Cascades National Park in the northern part of Washington State. North Cascades National Park is divided up into three main areas: National Park Proper, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Diablo Lake is part of Ross Lake National Recreation Area.
Unlike much of the national park, which requires backcountry trekking, Diablo Lake is easily reachable by car along the scenic North Cascades Highway (Highway 20). The closest nearby towns to Diablo Lake are Newhalem and Marblemount, both of which are on the western side of the lake. Winthrop, a town to the east of the lake, is roughly about an hour away and not always accessible in winter.
Despite feeling remote, Diablo Lake is a actually a pretty reasonable day trip or weekend trip from several major cities in Washington:
- Seattle to Diablo Lake : 2.5-3 hours (130 miles via I-5 and Highway 20)
- Bellingham to Diablo Lake: 1.5 hours (80 miles via I-5 and Highway 20)
- Everett to Diablo Lake: 2 hours (100 miles via I-5 and Highway 20)
Where to Rent a Kayak Near Diablo Lake
If you don’t have your own kayak, you can easily rent one to make this kayaking trip possible! Depending on your itinerary, budget, and personal preferences, I have a few different recommendations on where and when to rent your kayaks.
Option #1: Rent Kayaks Near Diablo Lake
This is probably the easiest option but it also requires thorough planning. The two main options for kayak rentals near Diablo Lake are Ross Lake Resort and North Cascade Kayaks in Rockport.
Ross Lake Resort is about 5.5 miles east of the main parking and launch area at Diablo Lake. However, the important thing to note here is that there is no direct road access to Ross Lake Resort to pick up your kayaks. There are 2 ways to reach Ross Lake Resort, but there is really only one main way to access Ross Lake Resort for the purposes of renting gear to return to Diablo Lake with the kayaks.
I really would only recommend the Ross Lake Resort option if you’re planning to do a multi-day rental and also kayak Ross Lake. Otherwise, I’d opt for renting at North Cascade Kayaks in Rockport.
The main way to get to Ross Lake Resort to rent kayaks is to drive to milepost 134 and hike 1 mile down the trail. You then need to turn right onto the gravel road and follow it down to Ross Lake. Once you reach the end of the road, locate the phone on the last power pole by the side of the road and follow the dialing instructions inside the box to call the on-demand water shuttle. This shuttle operates 8am to 8pm every day of the week, and costs $4 per person each way.
Once you arrive at Ross Lake Resort and pick up your gear, you return back the way you came to head toward Diablo Lake. This also means that you’ll need to carry the kayak you rented 1-mile back up the trail to the car once the water shuttle drops you off. This whole process is very involved and will take a significant amount of time out of your day to coordinate. Don’t forget, you’ll need to repeat this process when you go to return your gear at the end of the day.
Kayak rentals from Ross Lake Resort will cost about $75/day (plus tax) for a single kayak or $100/day (plus tax) for a double kayak. Kayak rentals include a paddle, spray skirt, and bilge pump. A dry bag is not included in the rental from Ross Lake Resort, so plan accordingly. It’s also important to note here that you’ll need to coordinate your own rooftop transport or tie-down system for the kayaks because there is no transport system included in the rental.
There is NO direct road access to Ross Lake Resort. If you’re renting equipment from Ross Lake Resort and planning to return to kayak Diablo Lake, buffer in 1.5-2 hours for both pick-up and drop-off at Ross Lake to account for hiking and transportation time out to Ross Lake Resort via boat shuttle.
North Cascade Kayaks is a much more straightforward option that doesn’t involve having to take a water shuttle out and back multiple times to kayak on Diablo Lake. North Cascade Kayaks is located in Rockport, roughly 30 miles west of Diablo Lake.
If you’re coming from the Seattle or Bellingham area, Rockport is actually along Highway 20 on your way to Diablo Lake! This means you won’t need to go off your path or out of the way to pick up the kayaking gear.
The only possible downside to doing a day rental from here would be if you’re planning to camp at Colonial Creek or somewhere closer to Diablo Lake. This scenario would mean driving pretty far out of the way to drop your kayaks back off after use. If your plan is to stay in the Diablo Lake area overnight (or for a weekend), I would simply request a multi-day rental through North Cascade Kayaks to avoid driving back and forth unnecessarily.
Kayak rentals from North Cascade Kayaks will run you about $100/day for a single kayak and $150/day for a double kayak. The rental includes a life vest, dry bag, paddle and a universal rooftop transport system for vehicles without roof racks!
Option #2: Rent Kayaks in Seattle
To avoid the involved process of getting to and from Ross Lake Resort, I’d recommend an alternative option: rent kayaks at your origination point and drive them in. This will likely be much more cost effective and straightforward for a weekend trip to Diablo Lake.
There are dozens of kayak rental options to choose from in Seattle. Double check rental rules before committing, as some contracts mandate that you can only use the kayak in certain zones. Regardless, this is a great option if you want to kayak on both Diablo Lake and Ross Lake during a weekend or week-long trip to North Cascades National Park.
Where to Launch Your Kayak From on Diablo Lake
Whether you’re bringing your own kayak or renting a kayak, the next important thing to know is how to actually get it on the water! There are a couple possible launch points to be aware of, but know that seasonality and weather can impact accessibility.
My personal recommendation (if it’s open and accessible during your trip) is to launch from Colonial Creek South Campground. There is plenty of parking and a lovely boat ramp and a boat dock at this campground that you’re able to launch from.
During my kayaking trip, I had planned to launch from the South campground but it was closed for fire response staging due to wildfires nearby. Thus, I was forced to launch from Colonial Creek North Campground, located just across the road.
Launching from Colonial Creek North Campground is less ideal because there isn’t a dedicated boat ramp. However, there is a pebble beach that makes for an easy launch experience. Because the campground was full and there were already dozens of cars parked for day use by 10am, I had to park roughly .5-mile away down Highway 20 and carry my kayak down to Colonial Creek North. Again, less than ideal but oh well.
The third option is to launch from just south of the Environmental Learning Center parking lot (south of Sourdough Creek). While there is a boat launch at the ELC, they’re more strict in recent years about launching from it and it’s technically only for ELC watercraft use. I would advise against this option, personally.
What to Expect On the Water
One of the most striking features of Diablo Lake is its vibrant turquoise color. It’s the lake’s unique milky blue coloring that usually brings visitors from far and wide, and this is caused by fine rock particles—called glacial flour—suspended in the water from melting glaciers in the North Cascades. Because Diablo Lake is fed by glacial runoff, its temperature remains extremely cold even in the summer, typically hovering between 40-50°F (4-10°C).
Even on the warmest summer day, putting your body in the water can be an extreme shock to your system. This is part of the reason why you should always wear a PFD (personal flotation device/life jacket) when kayaking on Diablo Lake. Plus, it’s the law and violating it could result in a fine!
Wind conditions can shift quickly on Diablo Lake depending on the time of day and season, so being prepared is key. Morning tends to offer the smoothest kayaking experience and easiest launch experience. If possible, I’d recommend arriving at the launch site between 8am-9am and being out on the water before 10am. This will ensure you beat the crowds and the wind.
As you move into the afternoon hours, stronger winds are more likely and they can make even the easiest paddling route a challenge. If you aren’t able to start your paddle early, double check the wind report before committing to an afternoon launch. When I kayaked Diablo Lake, I ended up launching after 10am and the crowds made it more challenging to find a parking spot. The wind wasn’t too bad on the day I kayaked, but still make sure to check the weather report before going out!
The evening is also a nice time to consider kayaking Diablo Lake, but you’ll likely only want to do this if you’re camping or staying nearby and don’t have to drop your kayak off by a specific time. I was out on Diablo Lake until around 5pm and temperatures definitely started dropping significantly around that hour. I would hate to be stuck on the lake during or after sunset without proper layers.
If you’re new to kayaking or want the smoothest kayaking experience, start your paddle early in the morning to avoid battling the wind in the afternoon.
My friend and their dog kayaking with us on Diablo Lake!
Harold loved getting out on the water and kayaking around Diablo Lake!
Thunder Point Boat-In Campground, located on Diablo Lake. North Cascades backcountry permits must be acquired before overnight camping here!
FAQs About Kayaking Diablo Lake
Is Diablo Lake beginner-friendly for kayaking?
Diablo Lake is definitely beginner-friendly! However, I’d recommend checking the weather and the wind report before heading out on the water to get a better idea of the conditions.
On a calm morning, it’s very manageable for beginners, with plenty of shoreline to stick close to in case you need a break. However, if winds pick up, the lake can quickly become challenging, especially for paddlers who aren’t used to rougher water or longer excursions.
If you’re new to kayaking, Diablo Lake is a good spot to get practice in. Stick closer to the launch site or the shoreline until you build paddling confidence, though!
Do you need a permit to kayak on Diablo Lake?
No, you do not need a permit to kayak on Diablo Lake for the day.
However, if you plan to camp overnight at any of the boat-in sites on the lake, you will need a North Cascades National Park backcountry permit. For those interested, learn more about how to obtain backcountry permits in North Cascades National Park.
What’s the best time of year to Go Kayaking on Diablo Lake?
In my opinion, the best time to kayak Diablo Lake is early summer through early fall (June–September) when temperatures are warmer, and conditions are generally more stable.
Summer offers the best weather and longest daylight hours, but it can also be more crowded. You can kayak on the lake earlier or later than this window, but you’d need to bring more cold weather gear and clothing!
Where are the best campsites near Diablo Lake?
Colonial Creek Campground is the best drive-in camping option with direct lake access. The campground is split into two sections: North and South. If possible, I recommend camping at the South campground for the easiest launch.
There are also three boat-in campsites along the lake, but you’ll need a backcountry permit from North Cascades National Park to stay at those! The boat-in campsites are: Buster Brown Campground, Thunder Point Campground, and Hidden Cove Campground.
There are also campgrounds in the nearby towns of Newhalem, Marblemount, and Rockport.
For more lodge-style accommodations, there aren’t a ton of options due to the remote nature of Diablo Lake. However, check out the list of lodges below that I’d recommend for a weekend near Diablo Lake:
- North Cascades Inn – located in Marblemount, roughly 35 minutes (drive time) west of Diablo Lake
- Glacier Peak Resort – located in Marblemount, roughly 40 minutes (drive time) west of Diablo Lake
- The Inn at Mazama – located in Mazama, roughly 1 hour (drive time) east of Diablo Lake
Is Diablo Lake Dog-Friendly?
Yes, Diablo Lake is dog-friendly! You can bring your dog out on the water with you while paddling or kayaking, but it’s important to make sure your furry companion stays safe while out on the water.
Make sure they’re wearing a doggy life vest and bring bowl and fresh water for them to drink, as I would not advise drinking the water from Diablo Lake. The water temperatures are quite frigid (even in the summer), so I’d recommend against letting your dog swim for too long. Always bring a towel to help dry them off and keep them warm.
The trails around Diablo Lake are not dog-friendly, as they are part of North Cascades National Park. You must also keep your dog on a leash at all times, especially while launching your kayak from the beach or boat launch area.
🤩 Check out my list of kayaking essentials before launching out on Diablo Lake! 🤩
Final Thoughts On Kayaking Diablo Lake
Kayaking Diablo Lake is an awesome bucket list experience within the North Cascades National Park area. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a first-time visitor looking to “get your feet wet”, Diablo Lake is a great spot to get out on the water and explore in a fun, unique way.
After reading this blog post, you’ve got all of the information you need to plan a successful day on the water—where to launch, what to pack, when to go, and how to stay safe. The only thing left to do? Get out there and experience it for yourself!
If you found this guide helpful and want more expert tips for planning the ultimate PNW adventure, be sure to check out more posts on my blog where I share detailed guides, insider recommendations, and firsthand experiences to help you make the most of your time in the Pacific Northwest!
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