North Cascades National Park
Official park boundary · National Park Service
Less than three hours from Seattle, an alpine landscape beckons. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth's changing climate. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades.
North Cascades National Park is a national park of the United States in Washington. At more than 500,000 acres (200,000 ha), it is the largest of the three National Park Service units that comprise the North Cascades National Park Complex. North Cascades National Park consists of a northern and southern section, bisected by the Skagit River that flows through the reservoirs of Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Lake Chelan National Recreation Area lies on the southern border of the south unit of the park. In addition to the two national recreation areas, other protected lands including several national forests and wilderness areas, as well as Canadian provincial parks in British Columbia, nearly surround the park. North Cascades National Park features the rugged mountain peaks of the North Cascades Range, the most expansive glacial system in the contiguous United States, the headwaters of numerous waterways, and vast forests with the highest degree of flora biodiversity of any American national park.
Access to North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is from the State Route 20 corridor. SR 20 (North Cascades Highway) connects with Interstate 5 (Exit 230) at Burlington. From the east, the highway intersects with US 97 at Okanogan and with SR 153 at Twisp. The State Department of Transportation closes a portion of the road between Ross Dam Trailhead and Lone Fir Campground in winter. The Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Stehekin) is accessible by ferry or plane from Chelan.
The best weather for visiting the North Cascades generally occurs between mid-June and late-September. Summer daytime temperatures average in the 70's F. Snow is off most trails by mid-July. Autumn and Spring are popular for color and wildlife. Storms are common: always be prepared for a few days of rain and wind. The east side of the Cascade Mountains (Lake Chelan National Recreation Area) is drier and warmer in the summer than the west side. Summer temperatures at Stehekin reach the 90's F.
Source: National Park Service
- Day Hiking in North Cascades
Hike the North Cascades to experience some of the finest mountain country in North America.
- Plan a Backcountry Trip
Backcountry camping in the North Cascades can be an exciting adventure for prepared hikers.
- Fishing in the North Cascades
Fishing is popular in many lakes and rivers of the North Cascades.
- Paddling in the North Cascades
Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular on the lakes of the North Cascades.
- Motorboating in the North Cascades
Motorboating is a popular activity on Gorge, Diablo, and Ross lakes, and Lake Chelan.
- Rafting in the North Cascades
The Skagit and Stehekin rivers attract many whitewater enthusiasts for rafting and kayaking, especially during the summer months.
Source: National Park Service
- Colonial Creek North Campground
- Colonial Creek South Campground
- Goodell Creek Campground
- Gorge Lake Campground
- Harlequin Campground
- Hozomeen Campground
- Lakeview Campground
- Lower Goodell Group Campground
- Newhalem Creek Campground
- Purple Point Campground
- Forest Info Center with HQ Administration Building
- Golden West Visitor Center
- North Cascades Visitor Center
- Wilderness Information Center
- Cascade LoopNationally designated · 1 mi away
- JCT KEYSTONE FERRY ZONE WHIDBEY ISLAND TO JCT SR 153 VIC TWISP1 mi away
- JCT SR 5 VIC BELLINGHAM TO AUSTIN PASS VIC MT BAKER1 mi away
- JCT SR 542 VIC KENDALL TO JCT SR 9 AT CANADIAN BORDER23 mi away
- JCT SR 530 VIC ARLINGTON TO CANADIAN BORDER25 mi away
- JCT SR 97 VIC PATEROS TO JCT SR 20 VIC TWISP27 mi away
Drive North Cascades with Byway
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