Diablo Lake and Lunch Tours

Come be a part of Skagit history! Seattle City Light has been offering this tour for approximately 90 years. Now in partnership with North Cascades Institute, the tradition continues better than ever. On the Diablo Lake & Lunch Tours, you will learn about the area's natural history, biodiversity and geology, as well as the unique relationship between the North Cascades environment and the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.

In 2024, Diablo Lake & Lunch Tours run Wednesdays-Sundays, July 3 -September 2 (including Labor Day Monday).  Check-in begins at 10:45. Tour experiences are approximately 2.5-3 hours long including check-in, orientation, time on the boat and lunch.

We also offer Afternoon Cruises without lunch Friday, Saturdays & Sundays July 5 - September 2 and Fall Morning Cruises without lunch Saturday-Sunday, September 7 - 29.

The adventure begins by boarding the Alice Ross IV – a modern watercraft designed especially for Skagit Tours by Rozema Boatworks in Bayview, Washington. The boat features heating and air conditioning, as well as an onboard head, and the cabin’s roof is mostly glass to allow for the best possible views. A 14-foot open aft deck also allows passengers to enjoy the tour from outside.

As you cruise the glacier-fed Diablo Lake, you’ll learn about the surrounding wildlife habitat and enjoy views of snow-clad mountain peaks, islands and waterfalls. Experience parts of the lake that are hidden from view when traveling the highway or trails. Your tour will come alive with stories about the early explorers and settlers in the area and the challenges of building the three Skagit River Hydroelectric Project dams and powerhouses in a very remote location. 

The tour ends with a delicious, organic and locally-sourced lunch at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center on the shores of Diablo Lake.

Whether this is your first time taking a Diablo Lake & Lunch Tour, or you have joined us many times before, this is an adventurous and enriching way to experience the inspiring North Cascades landscape.

For more information, call (360) 854-2589 or send us an email.