North Cascades National Park guide · 1 min read
Paddling Diablo Lake's Turquoise Glacial Waters
Diablo Lake gets its unusual color from the glaciers that feed it. As the ice grinds against bedrock, it breaks the stone into a fine powder called rock flour.
Meltwater carries this silt into the lake and leaves the water a milky green-blue. The color shows best on a clear day, since overcast skies mute it.
Kayaking and canoeing are popular on Diablo Lake, and the lake has ramps and launches for paddlers. The boat launch at Colonial Creek Campground on State Route 20 offers easy access to the water. There are no boat rentals on Diablo Lake, so bring your own boat. The water is very cold because of the glacial meltwater, and it can be very windy, so come prepared.
Diablo Lake also has three boat-in campsites, all within a few miles of the launch. Buster Brown has three sites about 2.8 miles from Colonial Creek Campground. Hidden Cove has a single site 2.6 miles away, and Thunder Point has three sites 2.0 miles away. Every boat-in camp on Diablo Lake requires a backcountry permit.
From the road, Diablo Lake Vista Point sits right on Highway 20. Several viewpoints are spread around its large parking lot, and there are bathrooms on site. For a higher look, the Thunder Knob Trail climbs 425 feet over 3.6 miles, which usually takes two to three hours. It is rated easy to moderate and suits families and beginners. The trail starts at the lake, and the summit offers views over the turquoise water.
Diablo Lake is a reservoir created by dams on the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. The lake's shoreline is full of hidden coves, islands, and bays to explore by boat.
