Gorge Lake Overlook

Gorge Lake Overlook is a short loop off Highway 20 above Gorge Lake, with views of the reservoir, Gorge Dam and a waterfall. It’s a good leg-stretcher on the North Cascades Highway, and you can see the main sights from the paved section without taking the gravel return.

Start from the western parking area, where the loop begins. NPS lists the paved part at about 0.2 mile, with grades up to 6%, and it gives you an accessible out-and-back. The gravel section completes the loop and has occasional roots or rocks, with grades up to 14%. NPS lists accessible parking and curb ramps at the trailhead. The published pages disagree on the full loop distance, so treat this as a short stop rather than planning around an exact mileage.

The trail circles a small granite knob left behind by the last ice age. The Skagit River once ran through the gorge below it. Gorge Dam was completed in 1961 and now supplies electricity to Seattle, so the view brings a major piece of the river’s power system right into the landscape.

Gorge Creek Falls drops 242 feet toward the lake and flows year-round, with the strongest water in spring and early summer snowmelt. The paved trail has waterfall views; a separate sidewalk and grated bridge across Highway 20 look into the falls’ narrow side chasm. Cross only when it’s safe, and skip the bridge if the open grate or height feels uncomfortable.

From the paved viewpoints, include some of the evergreen slopes around the turquoise water to show the scale of the gorge. Trees screen parts of the dam, and power lines cross some compositions, so move along the paved section to find a clearer angle. Parking and toilets are available at the stop; NPS lists a vault or composting toilet. No food service or potable water was confirmed here, so bring what you need.