North Cascades Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Discount Tickets

4.7
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 3 reviews |

Get your discount tickets for the North Cascades Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour, save up to 10% !

Overview

Explore the breathtaking North Cascades with this self-guided driving tour. This drive through Washington’s mountains includes snow-capped peaks, rushing rivers, and lush forests, but that’s not all. There’s a whole lot of history in these parts too, from Native tribes and early logging communities to helicopter-skiing daredevils and beyond. Take one of the nation’s most scenic drives and get a whole lot of fascinating stories and travel tips as you drive! Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not a ticket for attractions along the route. Check hours before visiting.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Start at 1244 State Rte 530 NE in Darrington. Continue north on Route 530 toward North Cascades National Park and follow the route shown in the app. Suggested start only; no affiliation with nearby businesses or locations. Audio starts automatically—check email/text.

Language Offered

English-AUDIO

Itinerary

1. Sedro Woolley
We’ve just left the quaint town Sedro-Woolley. Once two towns, this unusually-named settlement was later combined into one town. Before the merger, men had a different name for Sedro. They called it Bug! The mosquitos were pretty thick at that time, so it seemed a fitting name. Luckily, the ladies of the town disagreed, so the name didn’t stick. The tour is over 144+ miles long, with more than 100+ audio stories, and takes about 4–5 hours to complete. You can start from Sedro-Woolley to Winthrop or vice versa. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
2. Lyman
That’s what early pioneers did in the mid-to-late 1800s. These pioneers came from all over the country. Some were from Pennsylvania. Others from North Carolina. And a few weren’t American at all—they were Canadian. Most came in search of gold, but others were fur trappers or just seeking plentiful farmland.
Duration: 10 mins
3. Rasar State Park
We’re just a short way away from Rasar State Park, known as the rainforest of Skagit County. Home to views of the Skagit River, 4,000 feet of freshwater shoreline for fishing and camping, Rasar State Park is a beautiful pit stop. There is a fee to visit.
4. Rockport State Park
Old-growth forest is, well, old. Old-growth forests are forests that have grown for a very long time without any major disturbances from things like logging. As you can imagine, that makes them pretty rare. Some of the trees in this forest are over 300 years old!
5. Skagit River
We’ve been driving alongside the powerful Skagit River for some time now. At 150 miles long, the Skagit River runs all the way from British Columbia to northwest Washington, where we are now.
Duration: 10 mins
6. North Cascades National Park
At last we’re approaching the western entrance to North Cascades National Park. It doesn’t cost anything to visit the park, but you will need a Northwest Forest Pass if you plan on hiking any of the trails.
7. Diablo Dam
We’re approaching Diablo Dam and Diablo Lake. Diablo Dam is the second dam in the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. Built in 1930, Diablo Dam is 389 feet high. At the time it was built, that made it the tallest dam in the world.
8. Diablo Lake Vista Point
We’re crossing the Thunder Arm of Diablo Lake. Don’t worry, we’ll have a better look soon. We’re approaching the Diablo Lake Vista Point. This quick stop is well worth your time.
9. Ross Lake National Recreation Area
This forested trail leads down to Ross Lake and Ross Dam. It’s a moderate hike of only 1.5 miles, which takes about an hour. If you have the time to spare, this is a great option for most skill levels.
10. Easy Pass Trail
We’re approaching Easy Pass Trail. Ironically, this trail is anything but easy. Covering seven miles, this challenging hike can take over three hours. Part of the difficulty comes from the creeks the trail crosses. If there’s been rain or snowmelt, they can get seriously treacherous. To make things trickier, this trail can be snowy well into July.
11. Blue Lake Trailhead
This moderate four-mile hike takes about two hours to complete. It winds its way through meadows and dense forest before arriving at the main event: A sparkling blue glacial lake tucked into the wilderness. If you have a couple of hours to spare and want to capture that perfect mountain photo, this is a great option.
12. Washington Pass Overlook
We’re approaching the Washington Pass Observation Site. This is a must-see viewpoint of the Washington Pass. Here, you’ll see spectacular views of Liberty Bell Mountain and Early Winters Spires. Thanks to its position between soaring peaks, the Washington Pass is covered by up to 40 feet of snow in the winter.
13. Kangaroo Ridge
We’re coming up on a bend in the road ahead, where we’ll get a fabulous look at Kangaroo Ridge. This three-mile-long ridge tops out at 8,326 feet at its highest point. I highly recommend stopping at the bend for a quick look at these mountains.
14. Okanogan
We’re currently driving through Okanogan County, home to the Okanogan tribe. Today, just over 38,000 people live here. This area was one of the last to be settled by non-Okanogan due to how remote it is.
Duration: 10 mins
15. Methow River
we’ll be driving alongside the pristine Methow River. Crossing nearly 2,000 miles, the river gets its name from one of the Native American tribes of the area. The Native American name of the river translates roughly into salmon falls river.
Duration: 10 mins
16. Winthrop
We’re heading toward the town of Winthrop. Initially, only fur trappers visited. It wasn’t until the late 1800s when more white settlers came to the area.
Duration: 10 mins

Inclusion

Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.

Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.

Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.

Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.

Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.

Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.

One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.

Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.

Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.

Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.

Exclusion

No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.

Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.

At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.

Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.

Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.

More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.

Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.

Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.

Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.

Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.

The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Supplied by Adventures with Action

Reviews

4.7

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 3 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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