2 Best Sights in North Cascades National Park, Washington

The dam is one of three in the area that collectively produce hydroelectric power for Seattle City Light. Although its powerhouse can only be visited on bus tours that are sometimes offered (check at the Skagit Information Center), the experience of driving across a dam makes the short detour off Highway 20 worthwhile. To see the dam from the water, continue a mile farther east along Diablo Dam Road to the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, which offers Diablo Lake boat tours. As you cruise past Diablo Dam and then north to Ross Dam, guides share the secret of how the lake gets its vibrant turquoise color. The guides can sometimes take visitors into the Ross Dam powerhouse for a closer look.

Built in 1917 to support the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project—three dams (Gorge, Diablo, and Ross) that work together to provide power—this art deco structure has a visitor gallery with displays on project operations and history. Currently about 20% of Seattle's electricity comes from here. The best way to visit is on one of the summer tours operated by Skagit Tours in partnership with Seattle City Light and the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center.