RV route guide
Cascade Loop — Washington
440 miles. Pacific to alpine to high desert and back. Washington's everything-loop in a week.
The Cascade Loop is a 440-mile scenic circuit through Washington State combining the North Cascades, the Methow Valley, the Columbia River basin, and the Seattle metro area. The route is paved its entire length, RV-friendly throughout, and offers some of the most diverse landscape on any US scenic byway: marine waters, alpine summits, sagebrush steppe, and lush valleys. Plan 5-7 days for the full loop.
- Tier
- Scenic byway
- State
- Washington
- Best season
- Late May through October. Winter loop available via Stevens Pass + I-90.
- Sources
- Cited official (.gov / .org)
When does the North Cascades Highway open?
Washington State Route 20 over Washington Pass typically opens late April to early May, weather permitting. WSDOT crews begin avalanche-control clearing in March. Closure mid-November through opening. Other Cascade Loop segments (Stevens Pass on US-2, US-97, I-90) stay open year-round. To drive the full loop, plan May through October.
- 440 miles, plan 5-7 days
- RV-friendly throughout
- SR-20 closed mid-November to late April
- Loop runs year-round via Stevens Pass alternative
- Multiple NPS + USFS campgrounds
At a glance
Route facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded numbers for planning — always confirm against current conditions and state DOT 511 before you depart.
Distance
440 mi
Cascade Loop full circuit
Drive time
13–22 hr
5-7 days savoured
Elevation
0–5,477 ft
RV compatibility
RV-friendly
Best season
Late May through October. Winter loop available via Stevens Pass + I-90.
Cell coverage. Spotty in central segments. Better in towns.
Elevation profile
Sea level to 5,477 ft at Washington Pass.
Vehicle restrictions
- No posted RV restrictions on the loop
- Washington Pass closed mid-November to late April
- Long stretches between fuel in eastern sections
Loop segments
From Seattle north: I-5 to Mt Vernon, SR-20 east over Washington Pass into the North Cascades. Diablo + Ross Lakes, North Cascades NPS. Mazama and Winthrop in the Methow Valley. South on US-97 along the Columbia. Wenatchee. West on US-2 over Stevens Pass. Sky Valley. Back to the I-5 corridor. Many RV-friendly campgrounds along the way.
North Cascades NPS has three NPS campgrounds: Newhalem Creek, Goodell Creek, and Colonial Creek. All accept RVs. Multiple USFS campgrounds in Okanogan-Wenatchee NF. State parks at Lake Wenatchee and Lake Chelan.
Real warnings
Washington Pass closes mid-November
Plan the full loop May-October.
Wildfire smoke late summer
August-September wildfire smoke can degrade air quality.
Long stretches no services
Plan fuel buffer.
Wildlife active
Mule deer, black bear, mountain goats. Drive cautiously dusk-dawn.
What Cascade Loop Association + Visit Washington doesn't tell you
The Cascade Loop Association markets the full 440-mile circuit but covers it segment by segment. The integrated multi-day plan is what RV travelers need.
Visit Washington's marketing skews toward the Seattle-area attractions. For RV travelers, the eastern Cascade Loop (Methow Valley, Lake Chelan, the Columbia River basin) is arguably more interesting and dramatically less crowded.
Bavarian-themed Leavenworth on US-2 is the loop's tourist hotspot. Skip the town's tourism core (overcrowded in summer) and stay at Lake Wenatchee State Park or a Wenatchee River-front USFS site instead.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I do this in 3 days?
- Mechanically yes. The 5-7 day pace is what makes the loop worthwhile.
- Best direction?
- Either works. Many travelers go counter-clockwise (Stevens Pass east first, North Cascades return) so the most scenic segment is last and the trip builds.
Authoritative sources
Verify current conditions with state DOT 511 systems before departure. RV restrictions may change. Weather may close roads.
Planning an RV trip along Cascade Loop?
Was this guide helpful?