Loading...

Diablo Lake Overlook

Directions
Map
Pictures
Send to App
Distance:
0.2 Miles / 0.3 km
Type:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Easy
Time to Hike:
~6 minutes
Features:
Surface Type:
Universal Access
Park:
North Cascades National Park
Town:
Diablo, Washington
Directions:
48.710246, -121.096218
Added:
June 19, 2025
Updated:
July 07, 2025
Copy Trail Link Hiking this trail? Send a friend or family member a link to this trail guide for your own safety. Hike at your own risk (disclaimer)
Loading...
Loading...
3'

Total Change
3'

Ascent
3'

Descent

Download the Trail Route for Offline Use

Supporters get exclusive access to download trail routes to the MyHikes app for offline use. Stay prepared on your adventure, even without an internet connection! Become a Supporter today to unlock this feature and hike with confidence.

Send to App

Diablo Lake Overlook

The Diablo Lake Overlook at North Cascades National Park near Diablo, Washington is an easy, universally-accessible 0.2-mile out-and-back walk that features panoramic views of turquoise waters and alpine mountains.

Explore the Diablo Lake Overlook

This short and easy walk is one of North Cascades National Park most-popular destinations for tourists and hikers alike. If you plan to visit the park, this overlook is a must-have on your bucket list. Starting on the east end of the overlook, you'll extend your walk a bit by exploring the "lesser" views of Diablo Lake first. While the views from the eastern end of the overlook are a bit less stunning than the westerly views, within just feet from the parking lot you'll be hit with views of turquoise water and alpine peaks that tower overhead. At the end of the eastern section, you'll find an obstructed view upstream of the Skagit River where its flow is blocked by the Ross Lake Dam.

After exploring the eastern views, a walk to the western half of the Diablo Lake Overlook provides visitors with the best views of the lake, Davis Peak, and the alpine mountains that surround the Colonial Glacier. Slowly walk along the path to take in different perspectives and panoramic views of the turquoise water and its surrounding mountains. Located to the southwest are views of the alpine peaks that surround the Colonial Glacier, however, the glacier might be blanketed by clouds if you show up on a cloudy day.

Restrooms

Visitors will find restrooms at the parking lot, located south of the main path. The restrooms might be pit toilets.

Parking & Fees

Visitors will find a very large parking lot at the coordinates provided, located along the North Cascades Highway. The lot is large enough to fit several dozens of vehicles as of June 2025. As of June 2025, there are no fees to enter North Cascades National Park, making it one of the few national parks that does not require an entrance fee.

Pets

Dogs are allowed only if leashed and must be cleaned up after.
Explore 6 trails near Diablo, WA
  1. Parking

    48.710246, -121.096218
  2. Main Trailhead

    48.710212, -121.096283
  3. View of Diablo Lake from the eastern side of the overlook

    48.710336, -121.096358
    View of Diablo Lake from the eastern side of the overlook
  4. View / Overlook / Vista

    48.710453, -121.096306
    View / Overlook / Vista
  5. View / Overlook / Vista

    48.710453, -121.096306
    View / Overlook / Vista
  6. Best view of Diablo Lake from the eastern overlook

    48.710539, -121.096192
    Best view of Diablo Lake from the eastern overlook
  7. Stunning view of Diablo Lake's turquoise water and Davis Peak

    48.710114, -121.097175
    Stunning view of Diablo Lake's turquoise water and Davis Peak
  8. View / Overlook / Vista

    48.709903, -121.097428
    View / Overlook / Vista
  9. View / Overlook / Vista

    48.709717, -121.097358
    View / Overlook / Vista
  10. View / Overlook / Vista

    48.709719, -121.097358
    View / Overlook / Vista
  11. View of Diablo Lake and the peaks surrounding the Colonial Glacier

    48.709739, -121.097144
    View of Diablo Lake and the peaks surrounding the Colonial Glacier
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

Hazards

Rockfalls / Ledges / or Scrambles

Seasons

All

Trip Reports

Trail Guide By:
Admin user profile picture
0.2 miles / 0.3 km
Preview of the MyHikes mobile app interface

Track, Log, and Explore Hikes with the MyHikes App

Shop Landscape Prints
Shop our Washington State landscape prints

Weather Forecast

In Diablo, WA

Explore Hiking Trails

You May Also Like

Colorado's Million Dollar Highway - Plan a day's drive adventure along the iconic Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Explore the best short trails, roadside stops, waterfalls, vistas, ghost towns, and hot springs within a ~6 hour road trip.
Explore

Colorado's Million Dollar Highway

Plan a day's drive adventure along the iconic Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Explore the best short trails, roadside stops, waterfalls, vistas, ghost towns, and hot springs within a ~6 hour road trip.

Read
Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road - Discover the breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. From stunning roadside stops to picturesque waterfalls and vistas, this engineering marvel offers endless opportunities for exploration.
Explore

Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. From stunning roadside stops to picturesque waterfalls and vistas, this engineering marvel offers endless opportunities for exploration.

Read
New York's Best Waterfalls - Whether you're planning a day hike, roadside stop, or a leisurely short walk, this guide provides hikers, travelers, and locals alike with 63 different locations to over 100 scenic waterfalls to help plan your next adventure!
Explore

New York's Best Waterfalls

Whether you're planning a day hike, roadside stop, or a leisurely short walk, this guide provides hikers, travelers, and locals alike with 63 different locations to over 100 scenic waterfalls to help plan your next adventure!

Read

Before you boogie...

Find our trail guides useful? Consider becoming a Supporter to unlock perks!

MyHikes is an indie platform that makes exploring public trails easier for everyone. The platform has no investors, no ads, and is owned and operated by one person, Dave Miller. Dave has personally mapped and written over 1,800 trail guides on MyHikes for the public to explore. MyHikes has helped millions outdoor enthusiasts plan their next adventure.

But it takes a lot of time 🕦, money 💰, work, and espresso shots ☕ to run MyHikes, including hiking , mapping , writing , and publishing new trails with high-quality (accurate) information... along with software engineering (coding) the platform like building new features, website and mobile app development (iOS and Android), site maintainance . and much much more.

Supporters unlock website and mobile app perks with an annual one-time payment of $25 (you renew) 😎👍. Or you can simply make a Donation of your choice. Otherwise, you can support us by telling your friends about MyHikes - both quick and free 🎉

Admin user profile picture

Dave Miller
MyHikes Founder