Ross Lake National Recreation Area

Ross Lake National Recreation Area
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location	Whatcom County and Skagit County, Washington, United States
Nearest city	Newhalem, Washington
Coordinates	48°40′23″N 121°14′43″W / 48.67306°N 121.24528°W / 48.67306; -121.24528Coordinates: 48°40′23″N 121°14′43″W / 48.67306°N 121.24528°W / 48.67306; -121.24528
Area	117,575 acres (475.81 km2)
Established	October 2, 1968
Visitors	728,353 (in 2011)
Governing body	National Park Service

Ross Lake National Recreation Area is a US National Recreation Area located in north central Washington just south of the Canada–US border. It is the most accessible part of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex which also includes North Cascades National Park and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Ross Lake NRA follows the Skagit River corridor from the Canada–US border to the western foothills of the Cascades. The NRA contains a portion of scenic Washington State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, and includes three reservoirs: 12,000-acre (4,900 ha) Ross Lake, 910-acre (370 ha) Diablo Lake, and 210-acre (85 ha) Gorge Lake. These reservoirs make up the Skagit Hydroelectric Project operated by Seattle City Light. Nestled in the "American Alps" the Ross Lake NRA bisects the north and south units of North Cascades National Park. The Shape of the National Recreation area, was designed to prevent the proposed High ross dam from flooding the national park.

Ross Lake National Recreation Area is a major recreation destination in the Northern Cascades, attracting visitors from across the US and Canada with fishing, hunting, canoeing, kayaking, climbing and hiking opportunities. The NRA contains trailheads that connect to hundreds of miles of hiking trails in adjoining North Cascades National Park, Pasayten Wilderness and Skagit Valley Provincial Park. National Park Service campgrounds along the North Cascades Highway including Newhalem Creek, Colonial Creek and Goodall Creek feature tent and RV camping. Newhalem, Washington is home to both the North Cascades Visitor Center and the Skagit Information Center. Along Ross Lake and Diablo reservoirs boat-in camping is allowed, permits are required from the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount, Washington.