Water Taxi & Portage Services
For those seeking to bring their own watercraft to Ross Lake, we offer a Portage Service for personal canoes and/or kayaks between Diablo and Ross Lake. We also offer a water taxi service to and from trailheads and campsites on Ross Lake. Water Taxi rides are custom built based on your itinerary and transportation needs.
Portage Service
Want to bring your personal canoe or kayak to Ross Lake? We offer truck portage between Diablo Lake and Ross Lake June 11th through October 31st in our 2026 season. Vessels launch on Diablo Lake at Colonial Creek Campground and paddle five miles to the end of Diablo Lake where there is an NPS dock. There are phones located at the Diablo and Ross Lake portage docks with instructions on how to call the resort to request service.
No reservations are required for portage service. We portage on a first-come-first-serve basis. As of 2024, cash or card is accepted and there is be an on-board payment option with your truck driver. During the peak summer months, backups can occur during busy days and we appreciate your patience. Our portage service operates 7-days a week from 8:00am - 4:00pm. Truck priority is given to our ferry guests, which runs twice daily.
Diablo Ferry Schedule
Arrives at Diablo Portage Dock at 11:00am and 2:30pm
*Times are subject to change*
Do you want to bring your personal watercraft larger than a canoe or kayak to Ross Lake? To do so you must go through Hozomeen Canada. Click here for more information.
Check out our Portage Your Own Vessel step-by-step directions and printable Portage Instructions and Map PDF.
Portage Fares (Prices are one-way)
1 canoe/kayak
$55 each
2 or more vessels
$50 each
Water Taxi
Water Taxis are for hikers or campers to/from trailheads on Ross Lake. Reservations are required and are custom-built based on visitor itineraries and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
We can pick up or drop off a maximum of 6 passengers with standard backpacking gear per trip anywhere on the lake. When meeting a water taxi bound for a trailhead, hike down from the Ross Lake Trail Head located off Highway 20. Advance reservations and prepayment are required for the water taxis from trailheads on the lake to the gravel road (have a car waiting for you at milepost 134 on Highway 20).
Backcountry permits are required for camping on Ross Lake.
For more information visit North Cascades National Park's Plan Your Visit website page.
North Cascades National Park Wilderness Information Center
Email: noca_wilderness@nps.gov
We provide water taxis daily during our open season from 8:00am - 5:00pm, reservations are required.
Water taxis are a different from our Shuttle Boat Service. Transportation back-and-forth across Ross Lake between the haul road to the Resort on our Shuttle Boat does not require a reservation and is provided as an on-demand service.
Please Note:
Water Taxis can only transport Ross Lake Resort paddle equipment, not personal paddle equipment
Pet Policy: Leashed and controlled pets are permitted on our rental equipment and Water Taxi, they are not permitted for overnight stays at the resort
The fares below are per boat trip, not per person (prices are subject to change). When possible, we offer a rideshare with passenger approval. On shared trips, each reservation holder receives a 25% discount at the time of service. As of 2024, there is an on-board payment option with your captain.
Water Taxi Fares
Prices and times are one-way
Green Point - $30 (~5 min)
Hidden Hand/Ruby - $65 (~6 min)
Cougar Island - $65 (~7 min)
Roland Point - $70 (~7 min)
McMillan - $110 (~10 min)
Spencer's - $110 (~10 min)
May Creek - $110 (~10 min)
Big Beaver - $110 (~10 min)
Rainbow Point - $110 (~15 min)
Devil's Junction - $155 (~17min)
10 Mile Island - $170 (~20 min)
Dry Creek - $180 (~22min)
Ponderosa - $180 (~22 min)
Lodgepole - $180 (~22 min)
Lightning Creek - $180 (~22 min)
Cat Island - $185 (~25 min)
Desolation - $190 (~30 min)
Little Beaver - $205 (~35 min)
Boundary Bay - $205 (~35 min)
Silver Creek - $265 (~45 min)
Hozomeen - $265 (~45 min)
Additional Stop/Vessel Handling - $30
Know Before You Go
Important notes about wind:
Ross Lake is a BIG lake with LOTS of wind. The weather can change quickly and without warning. Each week we have to assist/rescue multiple canoes/kayaks who get into distress on the lake.
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We frequently deal with high winds on the lake
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If winds are unsafe for day users we will make all attempts to contact you before your arrival
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When sustained winds pose a safety issue, we will stop renting canoes/kayaks/SUPs for day-use
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The predominant wind direction is from the south, which means your return paddle to the Resort will generally be longer and more difficult than your paddle up the lake
Please remember these key safety reminders:
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There is no restaurant or store on-site
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Know your skill level
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Be prepared for the elements
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Do not overload your vessel
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Paddle early in the day to minimize wind exposure
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Wear your life jacket (all rental equipment includes personal flotation devices, PFDs)
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There is no cell phone coverage on Ross Lake
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Equipment can be picked up as early as 8:00am and is due back to the Resort by 5:30pm*
*In October equipment is due back by 5:00pm or dusk (whichever is earlier)-
For equipment rentals we advise that you arrive before 11:00am for best lake conditions
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No day rental check-ins after 3:00pm
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Payments and Cancellation Policy:
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All reservations require a non-refundable booking fee
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All processed refunds are subject to a $25.00 administrative fee
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A $1.00 card transaction fee applies to all transactions
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Payments apply only to this reservation and are non-transferable
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No-shows, late arrivals, or early departures are not eligible for refunds and may be subject to full reserved trip fares
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If you are not at your designated pick-up location at the prearranged time, you will be charged for the trip and you may incur additional charges if multiple trips were made to locate you.
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If cancellations are not confirmed with the office by 4:00pm the day prior to your scheduled water taxi ride your card will be charged for the full fare of your ride
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Excess baggage fees may apply (determined at the time of service)*
*If gear does not fit on the water taxi we cannot bring it -
Cancellations by Ross Lake Resort for extreme weather, equipment maintenance, or staffing reasons will be refunded
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Expected seasonal weather, travel delays, and personal schedule changes do not qualify for refunds
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Getting Here
Please visit our How to Get Here page for step-by-step directions on how to get to Ross Lake and the Resort.