
Cascade River Road in Washington is not suitable for large RVs
Usa, north-america
37 km
1,121 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for the Cascade River Road, a stunner snaking through Washington's Skagit County, right in the heart of North Cascades National Park!
This 23-mile gem kicks off from the North Cascades Highway (near Marblemount) and climbs to 3,677 feet above sea level at the Cascade Pass trailhead.
The first 10 miles are smooth sailing on pavement, but then things get a little more rustic. You'll be cruising on gravel, so watch out for the occasional pothole and washboard. While most cars can handle it, I wouldn't recommend bringing a huge RV – think steep climbs, narrow squeezes, and hairpin turns. And seriously, this road gets narrow, especially on those steep bits, so keep your eyes peeled. You're climbing over 3,300 feet, after all!
Heads up: even a little rain can make this road a beast. And keep an eye on the weather, as they might close it down if things get too hairy. Washouts are a real possibility during heavy downpours, so be ready to bail if needed. Also, from late fall to spring, the road's usually gated about three miles from the end (at Eldorado Creek), but you can still explore the lower sections as long as the snow's not too deep.
Where is it?
Cascade River Road in Washington is not suitable for large RVs is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 37.0415, -94.3379
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 37 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,121 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 37.0415, -94.3379
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