Campsites on the shores of Ross Lake at North Cascades National Park Complex will be getting new toilets this spring/NPS

Zion National Park in Utah isn't the only park that requires the help of a helicopter to deal with full toilets. At North Cascades National Park in Washington, the Diablo Lake Overlook will close to all visitors and traffic May 20-22 while crews transport toilet-related materials via helicopter to campsites along Ross Lake.

There will be a partial closure at the overlook on May 17-19, with visitor access and traffic limited in some areas of the overlook, while crews stage equipment.

Crews will work to replace 18 vault toilets at 16 campsites along Ross Lake in June and July. Park staff replaced five toilets at campsites last summer in preparation for this year’s project. The new ADA accessible vault toilets will replace old, outdated toilets, be less odorous, and allow better access for maintenance. Temporary toilets will be available at campsites during the replacement project.

Beginning the first week of June, work will be done by two crews at two separate campsites starting at the south end of Ross Lake, and will move north towards Hozomeen. Visitors on Ross Lake may experience noise associated with power tools and generators from 8 am-5 pm at and around the campsites as well as additional boat activity on Ross Lake to support the work being done. The project is expected to be completed by July 31.

There may be similar temporary closures and helicopter flights associated with the project to remove equipment in early to mid-September.