Summary of North Cascades National Park
- Major Attractions: Discover highlights like Stehekin and Washington Pass Overlook.
- Activities for Kids: Participate in engaging Junior Ranger Programs.
- Best Times to Visit: Explore during summer or winter for unique experiences.
- Accommodations: Choose from various camping and lodging options available in the region.
- Accessibility: Find out how to reach the park and important pet regulations.
Adorned with jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and over 300 glaciers, North Cascades National Park in Washington state is a stunning place to visit. Three park units in this region are managed as one and include North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas, all established by Act of Congress on October 2, 1968.
This park has something for everyone. Activities include camping, hiking, climbing, boating, fishing, birding, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and educational programs. Learn more about planning your trip to this park with the following tips and recommendations.
Major Attractions
- Stehekin: The valley offers various lodging alternatives, as well as backcountry camping without the backpacking. A shuttle will drop you off where you can stake your claim.
- Horseshoe Basin Trail: This moderate hike passes more than 15 waterfalls and includes glacier and mountain views.
- Washington Pass Overlook: The highest point on the North Cascades Highway offers stunning views of Liberty Bell Mountain. If you have binoculars, you may spot climbers and mountain goats!
- Buckner Homestead: Home to the Buckner family from 1911 to 1970, it offers a look at the challenges of frontier life.
Activities for Kids
Kids can enjoy a dynamic new Junior Ranger Program, which includes four age-appropriate booklets that introduce the unique cultural history of the North Cascades through a series of fun activities. Each booklet features a “totem animal” to guide children and families through the activities, providing exciting ways to explore the park.
When to Visit
Summer grants visitors the best access, although snow can block high trails into July. Conversely, winter also presents a wonderful time to visit as the park is less traveled, offering opportunities for solitude and cross-country skiing.
Where to Stay
The North Cascades Area provides a full range of camping experiences, catering to various preferences, from car-accessible sites to those requiring a trek into the wilderness.
Five car-accessible campgrounds (alongside several group camps) are situated along State Route 20, the main road through the park. Facilities and prices vary to accommodate diverse visitors. Campgrounds include Goodell Creek Campground, Upper and Lower Goodell Creek, Newhalem Creek Campground, Gorge Lake Campground, Colonial Creek Campground, and Hozomeen Campground.
Lodging is also available in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. For accommodations in Chelan, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (800) 424-3526 or (509) 682-3503.
Getting There
Major airports that serve the area are located in Seattle and Bellingham.
The park is approximately 115 miles from Seattle. To reach it, take I-5 to Wash. 20, also known as North Cascades Highway.
Primary access to the North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area occurs via State Route 20, which connects to I-5 (Exit 230) at Burlington. From November through April, State Route 20 is closed from Ross Dam Trailhead to Lone Fir. Furthermore, the only road access to the shore of Ross Lake is via the Silver-Skagit Road (gravel) from near Hope, British Columbia.
Pet Information
Pets such as dogs are not allowed within the national park except on a leash on the Pacific Crest Trail and within 50 feet of roads. Service animals are permitted for individuals with disabilities.
However, pets are allowed on a leash in the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas and are also welcome on most surrounding national forest lands.
If you’re unsure where you can hike with your pet, call the Wilderness Information Center at (360) 854-7245 for trip suggestions.
Admissions Information
There are no entrance fees to the park.
For visitors camping, sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some campgrounds are free, as is backcountry camping; however, a fee for backcountry hiking is required. For the most up-to-date information on admissions fees, check the official website.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required at numerous trailheads on adjacent U.S. Forest Service land, where trails lead into the national park. Additionally, you may use the Federal Land Passes.
Contact Information
North Cascades National Park Complex
810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
