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Cougar Island — Ross Lake National Recreation Area

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Cougar Island in Ross Lake National Recreation Area is surrounded by rugged terrain with dense forests and mountainous landscapes. Temperatures range from lows in the 30s Fahrenheit during winter to highs in the 70s during summer. Nearby attractions include the scenic Ross Lake and the hiking trails of North Cascades National Park, offering opportunities for outdoor exploration.

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Location

Cougar Island — Ross Lake National Recreation Area is located in Washington

Coordinates

48.75310243 N
121.028202 W

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Drive Time

1 hr 36 min from Mount Vernon
1 hr 49 min from Bellingham
2 hrs 23 min from Seattle
4 hrs 11 min from Wenatchee

Sarah C.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 23, 2017

Stunning!

The recreation area has a number of backcountry camping options and at times, sites can get busy in the peak season but the permitting system will provide peace of mind that you'll have a spot for the night. Some sites are right on the lake while others are a bit tucked in. Most sites have fire rings, picnic tables and a few have grills. There's plenty of space to pitch a tent at each spot.

As for all waste, pack it in and pack it out. There are a lot of mice roaming around these campsites so be sure to secure your food appropriately as well as any overly salty clothing (turns out mice really love salt soaked fabric). Some sites have heavy duty bear boxes for food storage.

The great thing about these sites is that you can get to them by foot or by boat. We spent several days traveling along the lake, ending in Hozameen and taking a boat ride the length of Ross Lake back to our vehicle at the end.

There are also several day hike options if you are canoeing/boating to your site or from site to site. Desolation Peak is one of my favorites and has some cool ties to Jack Kerouac. This spot is a gem and totally worth spending a few days here.

Month of VisitOctober