Ross Lake boat launch?

[MeepDog]

Anybody know where the boat launch is for Ross lake up by the canadian border in the diablo unit 426 gmu? I'm looking on maps but that's a long drive  to make without knowing there's a public launch.

[SWHUNTER]

Seems like I read some where that the road is washed out on the Canada side, so you cant drive to Ross Lake from there. I might be wrong though.

[Oldguy]

As of April 17, 2023 the road from Hope to Hozomee is only open to Silver Lake Campground on the BC side. Hopefully they get it opened for the Summer.

[MeepDog]

Reviving a dead thread.
Does anyone know if they figured out a boat launch for Ross lake? I heard the road was washed out. You have to go through Canada? How would that equate to hunting with firearms and meat involved crossing the border?

[X-Force]

If your plan is to hunt in Washington and getting your boat access from Canada, I would bet that you would run into trouble (but I could be wrong) with Canadian and US border patrol.

I’d recommend if you want to use a boat for access, having a canoe and portage from Diablo to Ross or rent a boat from the resort.

https://www.rosslakeresort.com/equipment-rentals

[MeepDog]

If your plan is to hunt in Washington and getting your boat access from Canada, I would bet that you would run into trouble (but I could be wrong) with Canadian and US border patrol.

I’d recommend if you want to use a boat for access, having a canoe and portage from Diablo to Ross or rent a boat from the resort.

https://www.rosslakeresort.com/equipment-rentals

That’s what I was afraid of. It sure seems like there’s no roads access of any kind to Ross lake itself and the only option is paying a portage fee to move your canoe from Diablo lake.  That resort rents boats but at that point you’re getting into the weeds.

Crazy to me that they’ll waste millions on redoing round abouts and building goofy statues with government dollars but they won’t put an access to a beautiful lake. It’s going to be an ordeal and a half to get a watercraft onto that lake with a gun in hand.

[Oldguy]

Type in Hozemeen Ross Lake. The crossing gate is closed until further notice. The Silver Lake road is open and mostly repaired but that is no help if you can't to the US side of the border.

[cjjcb]

If your plan is to hunt in Washington and getting your boat access from Canada, I would bet that you would run into trouble (but I could be wrong) with Canadian and US border patrol.

I’d recommend if you want to use a boat for access, having a canoe and portage from Diablo to Ross or rent a boat from the resort.

https://www.rosslakeresort.com/equipment-rentals

According to that website looks like The Hozomeen boat launch has been closed since 2020, and recommend checking with the Canadian Border Patrol for accessibility updates.

NPS says "Until further notice, the gate at Hozomeen will remain closed; vehicle and foot traffic across the US/Canada border is prohibited. Visitors must enter through a designated port of entry. For backcountry permit questions email noca_wilderness@nps.gov. (2/13/25)"


About 15 years ago me and my family hired a water taxi from the resort to take us to Lightning Creek CG so we could camp for several days. It was a good base camp for several days of exploring. Taxi came back 4 days later and picked us up. No phone service at the time so it kinda felt like a crap shoot but the guy showed up.

[MeepDog]

About 15 years ago me and my family hired a water taxi from the resort to take us to Lightning Creek CG so we could camp for several days. It was a good base camp for several days of exploring. Taxi came back 4 days later and picked us up. No phone service at the time so it kinda felt like a crap shoot but the guy showed up.

That’s a good ways in there and some steel country! Did you see any decent wildlife of the berry eating variety? How did the trip go?


It’s on my bucket list to go hunt out there and my best current plan is bring a flat backed canoe with a small motor and launch in Diablo lake, then pay the portage fee to have them move us up to Ross lake. That canoe can really move with a gas engine and I think we’d scoot right along that lake and get into some of the nooks and crannies. I figure 2 guys and a good sized bear can operate in that canoe.

[cjjcb]

About 15 years ago me and my family hired a water taxi from the resort to take us to Lightning Creek CG so we could camp for several days. It was a good base camp for several days of exploring. Taxi came back 4 days later and picked us up. No phone service at the time so it kinda felt like a crap shoot but the guy showed up.

That’s a good ways in there and some steel country! Did you see any decent wildlife of the berry eating variety? How did the trip go?


It’s on my bucket list to go hunt out there and my best current plan is bring a flat backed canoe with a small motor and launch in Diablo lake, then pay the portage fee to have them move us up to Ross lake. That canoe can really move with a gas engine and I think we’d scoot right along that lake and get into some of the nooks and crannies. I figure 2 guys and a good sized bear can operate in that canoe.

Since then, I've been back there backpack camping with my boys and on a few solo runs (hiked in from 20) and have seen critters every time...bears, big bucks, and a cougar.  If I was to target a bear by boat I'd go to Devil Creek campground and head up to Devil Dome. Beautiful country up there. I've seen bears on the east bank trail for that matter but you can avoid most other campers by heading up high.
If you do canoe, the winds coming out of the north straight down the lake can box you around a little and make progress slow...

Good Luck if you go. I'd love to hear about it.