Family Getaway – North Cascades Institute

Every summer, along the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake, families gather for more than just a vacation—they come for a reset. Hosted by the North Cascades Institute, the Family Getaway is a beloved multi-day program held at the Environmental Learning Center inside North Cascades National Park. Known affectionately by locals and repeat attendees as simply “Family Getaway,” the program is a cornerstone of the Institute’s mission to connect people, place, and nature—one generation at a time.

Whether you arrive with grandparents and toddlers in tow, or you’re a modern family with chosen siblings and blended roots, you’ll find an inclusive space designed for meaningful connection in one of the most awe-inspiring wild landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.

Who It’s For
The Family Getaway is tailored for all kinds of families—traditional, multigenerational, and everything in between. Parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and kids of all ages are welcome. The event emphasizes intergenerational learning, outdoor exploration, and shared wonder. You won’t find celebrity performers or name-brand distractions here. Instead, the magic comes from Institute naturalists, environmental educators, and the land itself.

Participants are grouped into daily activity pods based on age and interest, with options for everyone from young explorers to teens to adults seeking a deeper dive into the ecology of the North Cascades.

When It Happens
In 2025, Family Getaway programs will run over select long weekends in early August, with additional dates throughout the summer. Activities begin with a welcome circle and orientation, followed by full days of programming from early morning until evening. The final schedule is released closer to the season and includes both structured learning and flexible, freeform nature time.

Where It Happens
The experience is based at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, a modern, sustainably built campus located on the wooded shoreline of Diablo Lake, just outside Newhalem, Washington. The facility includes lodge-style accommodations, a lakeside dining hall serving locally sourced meals (many ingredients sourced from Skagit Valley farms), and access to stunning trails through old-growth cedar and Douglas fir forest.

Located along the North Cascades Highway (SR-20)—part of the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway—the Learning Center is approximately three hours northeast of Seattle and just under two hours from Bellingham International Airport (BLI). Day trips to Gorge Creek Falls, Sourdough Creek Waterfall, and Ross Dam are often included in the itinerary.

Why You Should Go
Because Family Getaway is not just about spending time outdoors—it’s about experiencing the outdoors together with intention. From guided forest walks to lakeside scavenger hunts, from fire-circle stargazing to map-and-compass orienteering, every activity is designed to spark curiosity and connection.

Signature experiences include:

Hikes to Sourdough Creek Waterfall with naturalist-led storytelling

Canoe adventures and aquatic critter identification on Diablo Lake

Night hikes and owl calls under the stars

Learning to spot constellations using star wheels and sky maps

S’mores and campfire trivia about the plants, peaks, and animals of the Cascades

Families can also take part in “free choice” blocks—maybe a watercolor painting session overlooking the lake, or time spent rock-skipping, journaling, or relaxing in the hammocks strung between trees.

The vibe is low-pressure, high-reward. It’s about noticing more, rushing less, and laughing often.