Washington state hwy 20 from Okanagan to Mt Vernon

Speaking of fall colors the route has a couple of unusual sights - western larch around Loup Loup pass (and campground), and subalpine larch around Washington Pass.

Stop at Diablo Lake Overlook for bathroom break and a beautiful view plus kiosks about geography, geology and history. Easy access westbound. Just watch for folks cruising westbound when exiting.

Rockport is another rest stop plus trees are amazing. You can park there for 15 minutes without Washington state parks pass. I, too, wish we could still camp there. In the soring, native dogwoods are in bloom; early fall, the vine leaf maple are colorful.

paulj wrote:
I miss camping under the old growth at Rockport SP. Still a nice lunch spot and hike.

That is such a neat place. When ever we camp at Rasar we stop by Rockport to have a picnic lunch and walk under the massive old growth tree's. (to those that have never seen it, the branches of those old tree's are as big as the trunks of normal tree in other CG's. One falling could kill many - that's why it closed to camping now)
I'd like to see them remove enough tree's just inside the camping area to make it safe and use the funds from the timber sales to improve the CG's facility and re-open.
I know they wont ever tough a single tree though.

There are also two camp grounds at Birdsview just west of Concrete.

Rockport has the old Steelhead Park along the Skagit River.

I miss camping under the old growth at Rockport SP. Still a nice lunch spot and hike.

If your looking for a CG on 20, Rasar State park is gorgeous. All the roads and sites are paved and the facility is second to none.
You WILL need reservations though.

I would much rather use 20 than 2 any day.

When you transit south on 97 from the border you start west on 20 at Okanogan, from there up into Loup Loup pass the road is a bit twisty up hill, but only for a short distance, the let down out of Loup Loup pass is easy and really good road into Twisp. 2 miles east of Twisp there is a stop sign at the bottom of the hill and a right hand turn to stay on 20. Twisp is the place to fuel up, and stock up on supplies at the Red Apple market, there really isn't much between there and Burlington.
The next attention getter is the river bridge in Winthrop. The west end of the bridge is a pretty sharp corner swing it wide. And enjoy Winthrop, there is great parking at the Red barn west end of town and a short walk back to main street. West out of Winthrop is the best part of the highway, gently rolling hills and curves and gentle grade all the way into Mazama, then the climb starts, 6-7 miles west of Mazama you'll be on the major pull of the highway with 1 wide sweeping switch back that places you on the side of the mountain, with a Oh My God view of the Methow Valley you just came thru. at the top of the pass there is a pullout and an over look. it's a must for pictures.
Out of the pass to the west there is a 5mile 5% down grade, don't smoke your brakes, then a short climb into Rainey pass, then a long 5-7 miles down grade but keep your speed down, there's no sharp turns for a while, then another down grade with a couple twisty spots, then no big deal until you get to the Diablo over look, Another must for pictures.
Then it is down hill again with a 90 degree turn onto Diablo lake bridge, then a little up hill pull and down again and a couple curves that are a slow speed curves, then it's middle river lake, another bridge, a slight up hill then the last slow going on a down grade with curves, then Newhalem, from there it is just a 2 lane highway to Burlington with Marblemount, and Concrete as speed traps.
Have fun it really is an enjoyable trip, just keep the speed down, don't smoke your brakes, take lots of Pictures.
On Thursdays the Seattle city light tour is a must do. (Newhalem) Boat trip on lake Diablo, power house tour, and a big feed/dinner camp style.
One more thing, going to Bellingham take Cook road off the second round about in Sedro-wooley to I 5, north. and save the Burlington traffic, the 20 to I5 intersection is a mess, even worse with a big rig.

The state park near Winthrop is Pearrygin Lake
It gets very busy during the summer.
There is some commercial parks around Winthrop.

I haven't paid attention to private campgrounds in this area. There is a state park near Winthrop that may have hookups, but it tends to be busy and reserved in the summer. Next state park is out of the mountains (Raser).

The closest NF campground to Washington Pass is Lone Fir, which I've used several times. But the sites and loop road may be tight for a big RV. The Nat Park campgrounds are on the other side, Colonial Creek, and around Newhalem. Hookups, if anything, are limited.

Lone Fir and Colonial Creek are best for access to the trails. A couple of trails leave from CC itself.