This Scenic Byway In The Northern United States Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime

There are few routes in America more breathtaking, adventurous, and magical than the 440-mile Cascade Loop Scenic Byway. Regularly cited as one of the country’s best drives, this ambitious road trip covers nine distinct regions in Washington State, meandering from the sea-tossed Puget Sound through the tranquil river valleys of Western Washington and across the rugged peaks of the Cascade Mountains.

While you can drive the entire loop in nine hours, speeding through doesn’t do it justice. You’ll want to take your time with this trip. Below is a three-day itinerary that gives you enough time to hit the highlights and soak up the scenery.

Know Before You Go

If you’re flying in to take the loop, the nearest international airport is Seattle's Sea-Tac International Airport. You can also jump onto the loop straight from Seattle, which is around 40 minutes south of our suggested starting point in Everett. Most of the loop is open year-round, although the North Cascades Highway does close in the winter due to risk of avalanche activity. This section typically closes in November or December and re-opens in March or April, depending on the weather.

Driving the loop counterclockwise is the most scenic and typically most common route, with convenient access to beautiful lookout spots. Many of the recreational areas and activities along the loop require permits or passes. It’s best to get these in advance so you don’t lose any time on the trip. You may also want to check road conditions and weather alerts before you travel, as the route goes through several different regions, each with its own weather. It’s also important to note that summer is wildfire season, so check for emergency alerts before you set off in the warmer months.

Day One: Everett to Winthrop

Start your journey in Everett, picking up a Cascade Loop Printed Travel Guide at the Visitor Center before hitting Highway 2, which leads to the Stevens Pass Greenway, a scenic byway in its own right. As you climb up to the 4,061-foot summit of Stevens Pass, you’ll see the landscape become wilder, changing into imposing granite rock and dense forest. Stop at the Espresso Chalet, east of Index, to fuel up with a coffee, grab a photo with its iconic 14-foot wooden Sasquatch, and pick up a Bigfoot souvenir. The chalet also has a scenic viewpoint with beautiful views of Bridal Veil Falls and Mount Index.

The road continues onto Leavenworth, the perfect spot for a lunch break and a chance to stretch your legs. A Bavarian-style alpine hamlet, the picturesque town is beautiful in every season. Treat yourself to the true Bavarian experience with a hearty lunch on the patio of the Leavenworth Sausage Garten, which serves homemade bratwurst, kielbasa, and pretzels.

Get back on the road and bid auf Wiedersehen to Leavenworth, heading south and then north through the Lake Chelan Valley. Lake Chelan is a 50-mile glacier-fed lake surrounded by orchards and vineyards. For the best views of the lake, explore the trails at Lake Chelan State Park or rent a kayak or paddleboard from the park to cool off in the pristine waters.

It’s just over an hour’s drive from Chelan through the Methow Valley to your stop for the night in Winthrop. You’ll be able to see the North Cascade peaks in the distance as you climb to higher elevations. End your day with a cozy stay at the Sun Mountain Lodge, a resort on the outskirts of town with a spa, activity center, two restaurants, and incredible views.

Day Two: Winthrop to Concrete

Winthrop is the gateway to North Cascades National Park. Leaving Winthrop and passing through the small town of Mazama, you’ll join Highway 20 and enter the park. This section of the byway is closed in winter.

There are more than 300 glaciers in North Cascades National Park, making this stretch the most picturesque portion of the trip. Be sure to stop at the Diablo Lake Vista Point for incredible views of the turquoise-colored lake with snow-capped peaks in the background. The park has several hikes suitable for a short stop, including the 1.5-mile Ross Dam Trail, which leads to the historic Ross Dam, and the 0.3-mile Happy Creek Forest Walk, which wanders through a stand of old-growth forest by a bubbling alpine creek.

As you leave the park, you’ll pass through the small town of Marblemount, where you can take a break and grab some lunch at local favorite, the Upriver Grill and Taproom. Back on the road, the next stop is Rockport. Rockport State Park, at the foot of Sauk Mountain, is home to 250-foot rare old-growth trees as well as the Skagit River overlook.

Your second day ends in Concrete, a historic and aptly named town that supplied the nearby Ross and Diablo dams. Despite its industrial name, the town is a cute foothills community with old-world charm. Get a glimpse of its history with a stay at the Mt Baker Hotel on Main Street, which first opened in 1924. Now a popular boutique hotel with themed rooms, the inn offers a range of suites in the heart of town.

Day Three: Concrete to Everett

The last leg of the journey covers two distinct areas, east along the flood plain of the Skagit River to the Salish Sea, and south down the coast of Whidbey Island. Get an early start and aim to be in Anacortes by lunch, spending the morning enjoying the pastoral beauty of the Skagit Valley, home to one of the largest commercial flower bulb industries outside of Holland. Drive this section between March and May to see the valley strewn with vibrant blooms.

The historic town of Mount Vernon is a good place to pause for a moment. The pretty waterfront and downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town is also home to Tulip Valley Farms, dubbed ‘the world’s most scenic u-pick tulip experience’ and the largest farm of its kind on the West Coast.

Follow the road to Fidalgo Island and the coastal community of Anacortes, once the salmon canning capital of the world. Washington Park, a 220-acre preserve on the peninsula, is a popular spot to take in the local beauty. A paved 2.2-mile path leads to stunning overlooks from which you can see the San Juan Islands and Olympic Mountains in the distance. For lunch, try some local seafood at Tide and Taste, which specializes in locally sourced ingredients, including fresh oysters.

After lunch, get back on the road for the home stretch through Whidbey Island. To get to the island, you'll drive over Deception Pass Bridge, a stunning landmark in its own right. This is also where you can explore Deception Pass State Park, a marine and camping park covering almost 4,000 acres of saltwater and freshwater shoreline on three lakes.

From here, carry on to Coupeville, the second-oldest town in Washington State. The 90s romantic comedy Practical Magic was filmed here and the picturesque town has over 100 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Check out Fort Casey State Park, a historic military base at the entrance to Puget Sound and home to the iconic Admiralty Head Lighthouse.

The route continues through several more quaint island towns to Clinton, where you’ll take the Washington State Ferry to Mulkiteo on the mainland. From there, it’s just a 20-minute drive back to Everett, where your Cascade Loop road trip began.

A Road Trip To Remember

There are a few must-haves when planning the perfect road trip, such as breathtaking views, unique activities, welcoming communities, and easy access to accommodation and services. The Cascade Loop Scenic Byway has all of these and more. Visit in spring to see alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, travel in summer to take a dip in glacier-fed lakes, come in fall to see the canopy alive with color, or do a partial section of the byway in winter for world-class skiing and snowshoeing. Whenever you visit, the Cascade Loop is a chance to immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of the Pacific Northwest with a road trip that showcases the best of the Northern United States.