Jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 300 glaciers adorn the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Three park units in this mountainous region are managed as one and include North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. These complementary protected lands are united by a contiguous overlay of Stephen Mather Wilderness.
The Basics
Hours:
The park and recreation areas are always open, but access is limited by snow in winter. Note that State Route 20 (North Cascades Scenic Highway), the major access to Ross Lake NRA, is partially closed from approximately mid-November to mid-April. Exact opening and closing dates depend on weather, snow depths, and avalanche hazards.
Visitor Centers & Ranger Stations:
North Cascades NP Visitor Center - All Year, Daily from 9:00am - 5:00pm North Cascades NP Headquarters - All Year Daily beginning May 25, Mon. - Fri., 8:00am - 4:30pm Wilderness Information Center - Open late April through October. Weekends only in spring and fall, extended hours in summer. Golden West Visitor Center - Boat-time winter and spring. Daily in summer.
Primary access to the North Cascades and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is off of State Route (SR) 20, which connects to I-5 at Burlington. Branch routes lead to Baker Lake (Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest) and the Cascade River. In winter, SR 20 is closed at Washington Pass beyond Ross Lake. There is no car access to the Stehekin Valley and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Take Highway 2 to the town of Chelan where passenger ferry and plane access is available. There is also trail access off of SR 20. The only road access to the shore of Ross Lake is via the Silver-Skagit Road (gravel) from near Hope, British Columbia.
Climate
Steep mountains and onshore weather systems from the Pacific Ocean influence a wide range of climate conditions in the North Cascades. One of the snowiest places on earth, the westside mountains collect more snow than melts each year (forming glaciers). On the east side of the mountains, conditions are much dryer.
No Fees. Boat launch and camping may have additional fees.
Things To Do
Outdoor activities, scenic vistas, and educational opportunities abound. Stop by a visitor center and enjoy an interpretive talk or a walk with a ranger. Visit the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and stretch your legs at one of the stops along the scenic North Cascades Highway. Have a picnic, or go camping with the family. Take a trip into the wilderness for a premier backpacking or climbing experience. Ride the Lady of the Lake to the historic and unique town of Stehekin in the heart of Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Take a class from the North Cascades Institute at the new Environmental Learning Center. Go fishing in a lake or river. Perhaps, even take a rafting trip down a river! Have a horse? Stock are welcome on many of the trails. Learn about these activities and more from the links above.
Outdoor Camping
The North Cascades Area offers a full range of camping experiences. Whether your idea of camping is from a car, RV, boat, or a strenous trek into the wilderness, there is something for you here at North Cascades National Park.
Check the links above for more information on the camping experience of your choice. Keep in mind that reservations may not be needed ahead of your trip unless you wish to reserve a group camp or a nearby Forest campground. But, for all wilderness camping in the park, backcountry permits are required and can be obtained in person up to 24 hours before you enter the Wilderness.
Car Camping Many public campgrounds in the North Cascades are accessible by road.
Reservations can be made 3-240 days in advance for some federal campgrounds through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS).
North Cascades National Park offers group and a few individual camping reservations for Lower Goodell, Upper Goodell, and Newhalem campsites (please see below).
Washington State Parks reserves some sites by calling 1-888-226-7688 or online www.parks.wa.gov
Free campgrounds are primitive, requiring that you bring your own water and pack out garbage.
Colonial Creek Campground Phone: 360 856-5700 ext. 515 Located in old growth forest on the shore of Diablo Lake. 101 sites. First come, first served. No reservations. Fee: $12/night. Fully accessible fishing pier and trailside camping. Boat ramp. Dump station. Potable water. No firewood collecting. Firewood in communities west or east of the park. Thunder Creek, Thunder Knob and Thunder Woods Trails are all accessible from the campground. Evening programs and weekend activities during the summer.
Goodell Creek Campground Phone: 360 856-5700 ext. 515 Located in old growth forest on the banks of the Skagit River. 21 sites. Raft/kayak launch and covered picnic shelter. Fee: $10/night. First come, first served. No reservations except for group camps located nearby. You can reserve Upper or Lower Goodell Group Camps online through the National Recreation Reservation Service, or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. No firewood collecting but firewood can be purchased at communities near the park (Marblemount is 16 miles west).
Hozomeen Campground Phone: 360 856-5700 ext. 515 Rustic camping near the US-Canadian border at the north end of Ross Lake. First come, first served (no reservations.Potable water, boat ramp, no garbage service(pack it out). Firewood collecting prohibited.
Newhalem Creek Campground Phone:360 856-5700 ext.515 Just off the North Cascades Highway near milepost 120 and across the Skagit River. Visitor Center and variety of short interpretive trails nearby. Nightly fee: $12. First come, first served. Potable water, dump station. Firewood collecting prohibited. Firewood available in local communities outside the park. Ranger programs in campground and at the Visitor Center during summer. Most sites are still first come - first served. Group camp reservations are needed for Newhalem group area and Loop C only. You can reserve sites online through the National Recreation Reservation Service, or by phone at 1-877-444-6777.
Wilderness Camping North Cascades National Park Backcountry There are almost 140 backcountry campsites available, from boat-in sites to high alpine backpacking sites. Camping is allowed only at established sites along trail corridors. Camps include toilets, tent pads, and in some cases tables and firepits. All backcountry sites require a free permit available at ranger stations. Permits are issued on a first come, first served basis.
For permit information, contact: Wilderness Information Center 7280 Ranger Station Road Marblemount, WA 98267 Phone: (360) 873-4500 ext. 39
The North Cascades National Park Service Complex preserves some of the finest mountain country in North America—a hiker’s smorgasbord. From accessible trails and short, scenic strolls to steep, grueling hikes that will make your legs burn but your heart sing, there is a trail here that will suit your mood. The extreme gradients of climate and topography contribute to an impressive diversity of habitat and species. To navigate the incredibly steep elevational relief, the nearly 400 miles of trails often follow the long, forested, valley bottoms, then switchback up to the steep passes or ridges. Over 300 glaciers cling to the spires, peaks, horns and ridges of the surrounding mountains, and more than 127 alpine lakes lie in glacial cirque basins below. The valleys are narrow, deep, and U-shaped, covered on the lower reaches with dense stands of old trees and layers of green undergrowth.
A Wilderness Park This area is the core of a vast mountainous ecosystem of protected public lands. Envisioned as a wilderness park from its inception, over 93 percent of the park complex is designated as the Stephen Mather Wilderness. It lies at the core of over two million acres of federally designated wilderness, which is one of the largest such areas in the lower 48 states. Enjoy the solitude, peace, and challenge that hiking in this beautiful park offers. Remember to walk lightly, so that many generations more may discover this place as you will.
Hiking Season Intrepid hikers, backpackers, and climbers ply the trails of the park year round. However, the more common hiking season stretches from April through October. The driest and most popular time to visit is during the summer months of mid-June through September. Keep in mind that higher elevation trails often remain snow-covered well into July and sometimes August. Precipitation and snowfall are greatest from November through March. The park's winters are wet, and snowfall is heavy. Access is often limited during these winter months by impassable or closed roads, so be sure to check the park conditions report.
Trip Planning The key to a successful trip is to plan ahead and be prepared. Check out the Wilderness Trip Planner to find out all you need to know about park regulations, backcountry permits, party size limits, hiking with pets, current road and trail conditions, and more.
Day Hiking
What sort of hike do you want to take today? Fancy a peaceful stroll down to the river, looking for birds and wildlife, or a glimpse of migrating salmon? Or are you in the mood to push your limits, climb to the heights and watch the world unfold below you? Short or long, low elevation or high, there are hundreds of miles of trails awaiting your discovery throughout the season.
Trip Planning The key to a successful trip is to plan ahead and be prepared. Check out the Wilderness Trip Planner to find out all you need to know about park regulations, backcountry permits, party size limits, hiking with pets, current road and trail conditions, and more.
The trail guide below is organized by area. Or, if you already know the name of the trail you are interested in, check the alphabetical listing of all the trails in the park complex.
Backpacking
Backpacking options in the park run the gamut from short, one-night trips along a river or to a lake or high point, to multi-day treks up valleys and over multiple passes. The region is also known for the multitude of mountaineering opportunities, also from short climbs to lengthy bushwhacking and climbing epics.
Designated Sites and Cross-country Zones
Within the trail corridors, there are almost 140 designated sites. Camping in the trail corridors is allowed only at these camps, which are designed to provide a safe and low-impact camping experience. Most camps are located off the main trail, to provide privacy and a sense of solitude for passing hikers. Each camp has a flat tent pad area, pit or composting toilet, and access to water. Designated camps at lower elevations also have an established fire ring.
Cross-country camping is allowed as well, but must be at least one-half mile from any trail and one mile away from designated camps. Camping is not allowed in alpine meadows or on fragile vegetation, or near water sources. Off-trail hiking can be very challenging in this steep and thickly vegetated terrain. In many areas, hiking one-half mile away from a trail may literally put you on the side of a steep slope, or crossing a swift creek. Most off-trail travel is undertaken by mountaineers with climbing objectives beyond the forested lower slopes. However, adventurous and experienced backpackers will find a wild park with plenty of opportunities to bushwhack, explore your physical boundaries, find solitude, and discover some hidden gems.
Trip Planning The key to a successful trip is to plan ahead and be prepared. Check out the Wilderness Trip Planner to find out all you need to know about park regulations, backcountry permits, party size limits, hiking with pets, current road and trail conditions, and more.
If you know already know the name of the trail you are interested in, check the alphabetical listing of all the trails in the park complex. There are also several backpacking loop trips.
The North Cascades provides the wilderness traveler with great challenges of physical endurance, route-finding and navigation through on-and off-trail hiking. The park contains climbing routes of high quality and aesthetic appeal, guarded by remote, rugged access and weather volatility, resulting in mountaineering experiences of solitude, mental and physical challenge , and fulfillment.
Rock and weather conditions are both severe in the North Cascades. The shear number of peaks and diversity of climbs challenge many mountaineers. Hazards of unfamiliarity confront even seasoned climbers on their first North Cascades climbs. Mountain climbing here requires previous experience; safe, adequate, tested equipment and gear; the best current, local information on weather and conditions that you can obtain; and good technical skill matched by caution and commonsense.
Permits Please remember that all overnight climbing trips require that you get a free backcountry use permit. The Wilderness Information Station in Marblemount is the backcountry and climbing information station for the park.
Also note that trailhead parking passes are required at entry points in adjacent National Forests including access to Mt Shuksan (ie. Shannon Ridge and Lake Ann), and other peaks. The Northwest Forest Pass is available at Ranger Stations.
Guided Tours
Self guided tours of the park can be done by using this website, obtaining a copy of the North Cascades Challenger, talking to a Park Ranger, CD’s, books, and maps of the Park. Various commerical guided tours are also available.
Naturalist tours by National Park Rangers are regularly scheduled during the summer and by special request at other times of the year.
Many private companies offer activities and tours by permit in the North Cascades. Lady of the Lake cruises up Lake Chelan to the remote area of Stehekin.
Outdoor Boating and Fishing
Boating
River floating is an excellent adventure worth planning for. Experienced boaters run the Skagit, Nooksack and Stehekin Rivers.
Kayaking, canoeing and motor boating are other options. Boat and paddling rentals are available at Baker Lake, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan. Ramps are located at Baker Lake, Gorge Lake, Diablo Lake, Lake Chelan and the north end of Ross Lake at Hozomeen. Personal watercraft (jet skis, etc.) are not allowed in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.
Fishing
Fishing in Washington, including in National Parks and Forests, requires a valid Washington State fishing license. The Skagit River, one of Washington's major watersheds, is home to seven species of anadromous fish (five salmon, Steelhead and Cutthroat Trout) and freshwater trout and char. Diablo and Gorge Lakes have been stocked with Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout, but Ross Lake, which has been left natural, offers quality sport fishing.
Lake Chelan has freshwater cod, trout and kokanee (land-locked salmon.) The Stehekin River offers Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout.
In order to protect spawning fish populations, it is necessary to comply with special regulations including closures, seasons, catch limits and gear restrictions. Check ahead.
Birds are significant components of biological diversity within the North Cascades ecosystem. Over 200 species in 38 families can be found in park habitats that range from alpine meadows to low elevation forests and wetlands. Three species (Bald Eagle, Marbled Murrelet, and Spotted Owl) are listed as "threatened" under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The North Cascades is one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Animals with fins, fur, feathers and scales are all at home in this dramatic and beautiful environment. Elusive mammals like the gray wolf, fisher and wolverine wander the wilderness in small numbers, while more adaptable Columbia black-tailed deer, Douglas squirrels and pikas delight park visitors in abundance.
Fish and amphibians lurk in the clear mountain lakes and streams. The rich forests, rocky slopes and clean waters teem with invertebrate life, such as butterflies, dragonflies, stoneflies and mayflies.
North Cascades is home to approximately 75 mammal species in 20 families; around 21 species of reptiles and amphibians representing at least four orders; at least 28 species of fish; and recent surveys have documented over 500 types of land insects and approximately 250 aquatic invertebrate species.
Horseback Riding
Stock Trails in the North Cascades are designated and have specified camps for use with groups. Most are accessed from the Lake Chelan NRA but Ross Lake NRA is the access to several long trails that allow stock; Thunder Creek, Ross Lake and East Bank. All Wilderness party size limits apply, meaning that no more than twelve including all people and stock are allowed.
Plan Ahead
Be well informed about the regulations and trail conditions in the area in which you plan to travel.
A safer more enjoyable trip can be had when you and your stock possess a high level of fitness.
For their well-being, condition your stock to the equipment and feed you plan to use, and the sight of ‘unusual creatures’ such as humans wearing large backpacks, dogs, llamas and other stock animals.
Backcountry Travel
Stock
In the Park Complex, ‘stock’ are understood to be horses, mules, donkeys, and llamas.
Goats are prohibited throughout the Park Complex.
Trails
Not all trails in the Park Complex are maintained to standards safe for stock use.
Hitch rails are provided as a convenience at selected trailheads and backcountry sites. Where they are not provided use a highline as picketing is prohibited.
For sanitation reasons, stock are not permitted in tenting areas of campsites.
Be a role model for other trail users and stay on trails, regardless of mud, snow, or ruts.
Not all people know how to act when encountering stock. Greet other trail users and instruct them on how to allow your party to pass.
Camping
For overnight trips, Backcountry Camping Permits are required.
Permits are issued at Ranger Station locations on a first-come, first-served basis, and no sooner than the day before the start of a trip.
Campfires are prohibited in some areas, so plan to use a lightweight stove for cooking.
Keep camps and trails sanitary and tidy: carry a rake to scatter dung piles and fill in pawed areas.
Minimizing Impacts
Water
Water animals at established fords where low gravel or rocky areas exist. Carry lightweight containers to water stock where clear access to water is hard to find.
Clean water is crucial to life; prevent stock from defecating directly into water a water source.
Feed
Sterile weed-free pellets (loose hay prohibited) are light weight and an excellent source of nutrition on the trail, especially where grazing is limited or prohibited. Pellets also decrease introduction of non-native plant seeds into the backcounty. Non-native plants can wreak havoc on the health and diversity of native plant communities.
Keep wildlife healthy and self-reliant by not feeding them. Secure your food, garbage, and toiletries from resident rodents, deer, and bear to avoid potentially unpleasant or dangerous encounters. Store these items in wildlife-resistant containers or panniers, and hang at least 15 feet from the ground and 5 feet from the trunk of a tree.
Use a nose bag, ground cloth, or container when feeding stock as it can attract wildlife.
Ross Lake National Recreation Area, along State Route 20 is where most visitors enter the park complex. The Skagit River, and three major reservoirs (Gorge, Diablo and Ross Lakes) offer ample recreation and sightseeing. Points of interest include visitor centers, viewpoints, short trails, campgrounds, and the Stephen Mather Wilderness. A new Environmental Learning Center is located on the shores of Diablo Lake.
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area is most frequently visited at a remote village called Stehekin, by boat. Visitors embark on Lake Chelan via one of the Boat Company vessels from Chelan or Field's Point.
North Cascades Institute offers a variety of hands-on programs, including Mountain School, a residential program for elementary, junior and high-school students from various school districts in western Washington. Other programs include summer youth adventures, family getaways, adult seminars, and retreats, graduate studies and volunteer stewardship opportunities.
North Cascades Institute operates North Cascades Environmental Learning Center in partnership with the City of Seattle and the National Park Service.
