The Cascade Loop is a thrilling ride through the heart of Washington State. Visitors will see some of Washington’s most beautiful countryside and interesting areas. The loop is 440 miles long encompassing magical cityscapes and spectacular landscapes, chilly alpine lakes and rushing rivers, islands and towering peaks. The byway travels through areas as diverse as they are magnificent: the salty waters of the Puget Sound, the verdant foothills of Cascade Mountains’ western slope, the peaks of the North Cascades National Park enclosed in glaciers, and the sun-drenched expanse of the Columbia River Valley. The loop is as recreational as it is scenic. It houses millions of miles of hiking and biking trails, ski hills and cross-country trails dusted with fresh powder, and shimmering blue lakes and rivers that summon rafters, boaters, and fishermen. Communities line the loop urging visitors to stop and relax at a quaint restaurant or search for a treasure in an old antique shop. This isn’t a complete list, but rather some of the best options that are easily available.

Length	440 miles
States	1 – Washington
Astronomy Sites	3

North Cascades National Park

A wonderfully dark sky away from the cities, the North Cascades National Park is a wonderful dark sky place. Diablo Lake Overlook, Washington Pass Overlook, and Ross Lake Overlook serve as great places to go see the Milky Way and the sky.

Lake Wenatchee

Lake Wenatchee is a glacier- and snowmelt-fed lake situated in the Wenatchee National Forest on the eastern slopes of the Cascades Mountain Range in the state of Washington. The area has a plethora of outdoor options and is a great spot to view the Milky Way due to its remote location.

Lake Chelan Area

Located in central Washington state, U.S. Lake Chelan is a lake and resembles a fjord, with an average width of 1.3 mi. Near its upper end, the lake surface lies more than 6,600 ft below peaks less than 3 mi away. It is a great place to visit during the day with a relaxing and beautiful views. At night, the remote location provides an amazing opportunity for viewing the night sky!

Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and make sure to view our other unique astronomy roadtrips such as this one for more places to view astronomy when on a roadtrip.