Summer is peak season on the Cascade Loop and for good reason! Imagine picnicking under bluebird skies with warm weather, westerly breezes, a bottle of local vino and a feast of locally-sourced produce and seasonal goodies all under the shade of towering evergreens and leafy green hardwoods. Depending on where you are, you may even see a deer wander by. This idyllic time of year is when most folks hit the Loop so be sure to make reservations for your stay!
Warm weather is perfect for camping -- but even here , we can't stress enough that you plan ahead and reserve your accommodations. There are a LOT to choose from all the way around the Loop, but during high season, particularly when festivals are going on, you don't want to be left in the lurch. Use our Online Booking tool to see what is available for your timeframe.
Lakes warm up this time of year and rivers get lower as mountain snow melt slows and stops. Either take a dip in a lake, river or stream (or perhaps a water park) or simply head to higher elevations to keep cool!
Due to winter snow and cold temperatures, there are some places and businesses only open during the summer. If your bucket list includes these activities, be sure to plan accordingly! The North Cascades Highway closes every winter, but there is not a scheduled date when the snows will cause the road conditions to force closure, so its always good to have a Plan B if you are traveling late in the year!
Once the Highway closes, you won't be able to drive to Washington Pass and get amazing views of Liberty Bell and the surrounding scenery, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly! To see the historic open and close dates, check the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
Highway 20 closes each season from milepost 171 (west of Mazama) to milepost 134 (East of Diablo) usually late November through late April or early May. Check out the pass’s historic opening and closing dates at https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/roads-bridges/mountain-pass-closure-and-opening-dates
A family favorite for generations, Slidewaters is open from Memorial Day Weekend (end of May) through Labor Day Weekend (early September).
Float around the Lazy River, race your friends on the Downhill Racer or one of our numerous body or tube slides. Everyone will find ways to play all day! https://www.slidewaters.com/
Next to Slidewaters, Lakeside Surf is a complete surf facility and services. Lakeside Surf is an extension of the waterpark for paying waterpark guests. Guests only wanting to visit Lakeside Surf do not need to pay admission. https://www.lakesidesurf.com/
The museum features over 13,000 square feet of Native American objects, pioneer artifacts, geological specimens, taxidermy, and ornithology. The cabins in the Pioneer Village are furnished with antiques from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The beautiful Pioneer Village consists of furnished authentic local cabins, a waterwheel, a series of Great Northern Railway buildings, and well kept grounds to picnic within.
Open 10:00am – 4:00pm Wednesday through Sunday. (April - October)
There's nothing like a guided kayaking trip to put you up-close and personal with all manner of sea life, whether it's flora such as bull kelp and eel grass or fauna such as harbor seals, sea birds or porpoises. Book a trip with a licensed professional for the exciting and SAFE way to paddle your way around on the Loop!
Book your trip before the end of the season - see our recommended guides here: https://www.cascadeloop.com/kayaking
For a true nature experience, plan a horseback ride in the Cascade Mountains! Our preferred hostlers are in Plain and Winthrop - where you can be matched with a mount, and guided through amazing scenery and find wildlife around the corners.
The season ends before the snow falls, so be sure to book your adventure soon: https://www.cascadeloop.com/horseback-riding
Family-friendly amusement on the Columbia River near Wenatchee, this energized, piloted boating experience take you on a ride like no other! it's like a roller-coaster on the Columbia!
Book your adventure before the season ends: https://www.cascadeloop.com/account/wileys-boat-rides
One of the best things about summer is the availability of fresh produce! There is a farmers market in every region of the Loop, so check what days and where you can find them - and be prepared to be amazed at the local wares!
Open daily from April 15th through October 15th (9am-6pm)
We are proud to say that Gordon Ohme was one of the founders of the Cascade Loop, and Ohme Gardens, his families pride and joy, has always been a favorite of travelers on the Loop!
While the entrance and the upper level are accessible for wheelchairs, be prepared for amazing views when you follow the stone paths that wind up and down the hillsides through flowerbeds and shrubbery. Look for hidden gnomes and fairies!
The parking area closes in the winter, but during the summer you can enjoy a great interpretive trail, that even has a wheelchair accessible route. The trail winds through the forest along Deception Creek with great views of the multi-tiered waterfall. Stand on a bridge over the water -- in spring the power of this water is spectacular!
Picnic tables with shelter make for a perfect wiggle-stop through this stretch of the Loop!
This amazing flower garden in Manson opens in Spring when the bulbs begin to bloom and closes when the weather gets chilly enough, usually in September or October. The pumpkin patch and harvest activities are open each weekend in October.
Wander through their beautiful you-pick flower garden and in late September, they open the pumpkin patch and offer some fun harvest activities such as hayrides, you-pick pumpkins, an apple shoot, and a haybox to play in.
Guests staying at Mountain View Lodge can collect a bouquet as a gift!
Boating on Lake Chelan
Mountain Biking in Entiat, Photo by Oly Mingo
Deception Falls, Stevens Pass Greenway
Everett Marina, Snohomish River Valley
Deception Pass State Park, Whidbey Island
Fort Casey, Whidbey Island
Firepit hangout, Fort Casey, Whidbey Island
Indian paintbrush in burn area, photo by Andy Porter
Sauk Mountain sunset, Skagit Valley
Dawn kayaking in Stehekin, Lake Chelan Valley
Wildflowers in the North Cascades
Kayakers on Diablo Lake, North Cascades
Mossy trees, North Cascades
North Cascades with lupine bloom, photo by Andy Porter
Picnic on Icicle Ridge, Leavenworth
Wenatchee River, Leavenworth
Jetskiing on Lake Chelan
Wenatchee Valley
