The Road Worth Waiting For: North Cascades Highway Reopens to Washington's Most Spectacular Scenery
By Jennifer Coleman
The reopening of the North Cascades Highway is one of Washington's most anticipated signs of summer. This year, after winter storms damaged sections of the roadway and delayed access to the mountains, travelers were especially eager for the gates to swing open. And for anyone making the drive, the wait was worth it. The North Cascades Highway (SR20) officially reopened last weekend on June 14th, 2026. Kudos and credit to the WSDOT crews who worked around the clock to make it happen.
With its hairpin turns, glacier-clad peaks, and jaw-dropping overlooks, many consider the North Cascades Highway to be the most scenic road trip in Washington State. As State Route 20 winds through the heart of the North Cascades, the road hugs emerald forests, skirts turquoise lakes, and climbs into a landscape so rugged and dramatic that these mountains have earned the nickname "The American Alps."
Unlike other Cascade crossings, the North Cascades Highway feels truly wild. Towering summits rise on all sides, waterfalls cascade down steep cliffs, and more than 300 glaciers cling to the surrounding peaks. The highway's extreme mountain terrain forces it to close each winter beneath deep snow, making its annual reopening a celebrated event for road trippers, cyclists, hikers, and photographers who line up before sunrise to be among the first to cross.
The 140-mile scenic byway stretches from Sedro-Woolley to Twisp, connecting travelers to historic company towns, family-owned farms, and eventually the outdoor playground of the Methow Valley, home to the old western themed town of Winthrop, and the arts-focused community of Twisp. Along the way, adventure awaits around almost every bend. Bring your hiking boots, mountain bike, kayak, or simply a camera because the scenery alone is worth the journey.
One of the most iconic stretches of the drive unfolds near Washington Pass, where the jagged granite spires of Liberty Bell and Early Winters dominate the skyline. Pullouts along the highway offer sweeping views of rugged peaks that soar above 9,000 feet, showcasing some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Pacific Northwest. We like to refer to the Washington Pass Overlook as the most scenic rest area in the state! There are restrooms and a paved path to stretch your legs and step out onto the solid rock viewing platform to see the majesty of Liberty Bell Mountain.
Just about 30 miles west of Washington Pass, brilliant turquoise waters steal the show. Ross Lake and Diablo Lake glow with an almost unreal blue-green color created by fine glacial silt suspended in the water. The Diablo Lake overlook provides panoramic views into one of the most glacier-rich landscapes in North America outside Alaska, where snowy peaks stretch toward Canada and deep valleys disappear into the wilderness. This rest area may be tied with Washington Pass for most scenic…you can be the judge of that.
The highway also serves as the gateway to North Cascades National Park, one of the nation's least visited and most spectacular national parks. With no entrance fee, visitors can easily access hiking trails, campgrounds, and scenic viewpoints. Colonial Creek and Newhalem campgrounds offer convenient base camps for exploring old-growth forests, waterfalls, and miles of mountain trails.
The North Cascades Highway delivers a road trip experience unlike any other in Washington. It’s great for those just looking for a scenic drive and accessible views to wild places without the challenge of a strenuous hike. If you have time to explore further, consider “doing the loop” which includes two other scenic byways that make up the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway.
After months of winter closure, the return of this legendary route is a reminder that some journeys are worth waiting for. Make sure you gas up in Marblemount on the west side, or Mazama on the east and don’t forget the snacks. Let the 2026 road trip season commence!