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WA

North Cascades National Park

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About the Park

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.

Animals Birds Cats (wild) Fish Wolves Climate Change Forests and Woodlands Glaciers
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What to See & Do

Two hikers walk along a trail with mountains in the distance.
Hiking

Day Hiking in North Cascades

Hike the North Cascades to experience some of the finest mountain country in North America.

In Park
Three backpackers hike through a meadow with mountains in the distance.
Backcountry Camping

Plan a Backcountry Trip

Backcountry camping in the North Cascades can be an exciting adventure for prepared hikers.

Wilderness Information Center, Marblemount, WA2-14 Days
Two men sit fishing in chairs on a wooden pier
Fishing

Fishing in the North Cascades

Fishing is popular in many lakes and rivers of the North Cascades.

In Park
Two silver canoes loaded with camping gear sit on the shore of a lake.
Boating

Paddling in the North Cascades

Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular on the lakes of the North Cascades.

In Park
Motorboats are docked on a large lake with mountains in the background
Boating

Motorboating in the North Cascades

Motorboating is a popular activity on Gorge, Diablo, and Ross lakes, and Lake Chelan.

In Park
A group paddle a raft on a wide river.
Boating

Rafting in the North Cascades

The Skagit and Stehekin rivers attract many whitewater enthusiasts for rafting and kayaking, especially during the summer months.

In Park

Visitor Centers

A stone and wood sign in front of a brown building.

Forest Info Center with HQ Administration Building

The North Cascades National Park Service Complex Headquarters (Administrative Offices) is five miles east of I-5 in Burlington and 46 miles west of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex boundary.

3608547200
A white building with an American flag in front

Golden West Visitor Center

Visitor Center located short walk from the passenger ferry landing at Stehekin Landing inside what was the historic Golden West Lodge.

Closed
A stone and wood sign for the North Cascades Visitor Center

North Cascades Visitor Center

Location: Across the Skagit River from the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) near milepost 120 and the town of Newhalem. Adjacent to Newhalem Creek Campground. Exhibits: Relief map of the park and surrounding area, exhibit room featuring multimedia exhibits on the park's natural and cultural history. Available Facilities: Theater featuring large format slide program and video presentation. Several short, accessible interpretive trails and restrooms. Information desk. Bookstore.

Closed 360-854-7200
A brown cabin with bulletin boards out front

Wilderness Information Center

The Wilderness Information Center is the main backcountry permit office for North Cascades National Park and the adjacent Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. Backcountry permits are required for overnights in the park year-round and are available at an outdoor self-issue station when the center is closed during the winter season. Information desk. Sales area with books, maps, videos, and other items related to the national park and adjacent national forests.

Closed 3608547245

Where to Stay

Benches in a forested amphitheater

Newhalem Creek Campground

Newhalem Creek Campground is a comfortable facility close to the town of Newhalem and the Skagit River. It is surrounded by forests that that can be explored through the area's many hiking trails. The campground has individual campsites as well as two group sites. It is private and secluded, yet the town, a visitor center and other amenities are only a short walk away.

🏕 107 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A picnic shelter next to a river

Goodell Creek Campground

Goodell Creek Campground is situated in lush, old growth forest on the banks of the Skagit River. Campsites are suitable for tents and small RVs. First-come, first-served during the winter; summer reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance or 7 days in advance. Nearby recreational opportunities include a raft/kayak launch on the Skagit River and fishing on the Skagit and its tributaries.

🏕 19 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A sheltered picnic area in the forest

Lower Goodell Group Campground

Lower Goodell Group Campground is a convenient campground on the banks of Goodell Creek. Each group site has 5 tent pads, a pavilion with picnic tables, and a fire grate. Maximum capacity is 50 people and 20 vehicles per site. Lower Goodell sites can accommodate RV's. Vault toilets and garbage service is provided. There are no hook-ups or potable water.

🏕 2 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
An empty campsite in the forest.

Gorge Lake Campground

Gorge Lake Campground is located on the bank of Gorge Lake, next to the cascading Stetattle Creek and is a primitive camp with no water. First-come, first-served during the winter. Summer reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. Nearby recreational opportunities include a boat launch on Gorge Lake, fishing, and hiking trails.

🏕 8 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A forested campsite with a picnic table, tent pad, and bear box.

Colonial Creek North Campground

Colonial Creek North Campground is a remote, yet bustling campground nestled in old growth forest. Located on the north side of State Route 20 near mile marker 130, there are 41 campsites that are surrounded by forest and located on Diablo Lake. Recreational opportunities include a fully accessible fishing pier and boat launch on Diablo Lake, as well as hiking opportunities for various abilities on Thunder Creek and Thunder Knob trails.

🏕 38 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
Wooden campground sign in front of a cabin.

Colonial Creek South Campground

Colonial Creek South Campground is a remote, yet busy campground nestled in old growth forest on the south side of State Route 20 near mile marker 130.Ten walk-in, tent-only sites are available first-come, first-served in the winter (sites 64-73). Sites may be difficult to access in winter. Reservations required late May to September. Recreational opportunities include a fully accessible fishing pier and boat launch on Diablo Lake, as well as hiking opportunities on Thunder Creek and Thunder Knob trails.

🏕 93 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
An open sunny forest surrounds small campsites with picnic tables

Lakeview Campground

Located at the head of Lake Chelan, Lakeview Campground is a five-minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing. All sites are walk-in sites for small to medium-sized tents and first-come, first-served. Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane.

🏕 9 sites💧 Water🚽 Toilets
A wooden picnic table at a campsite overlooks a paved road, large lake, and distant mountains.

Purple Point Campground

Located at the head of Lake Chelan, Purple Point Campground is a ten-minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing. All sites are walk-in sites for small to medium-sized tents and are first-come, first-served. Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane.

🏕 6 sites💧 Water🚽 Toilets
An open sunny forest near a green river.

Harlequin Campground

Harlequin Campground is located near Stehekin in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, 4.5 miles up the Stehekin Valley Rd from Stehekin Landing and 0.5 miles from the public airstrip. All sites are walk-in sites though some have limited parking. First-come, first-served during the winter; summer reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane.

🏕 7 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A wooded campsite with a picnic table and fire pit

Hozomeen Campground

Hozomeen Campground is located at the north end of Ross Lake and is open from late May through October. There is no camping fee, and all sites are first-come, first-served. Facilities include boat launches, pit toilets, potable water, picnic tables and fire grates. Guests must pack-out all trash. Campsites located in the Upper Loop are closed until further notice due to hazard trees.

🏕 75 sites💧 Water🚽 Toilets

Getting Here & Transit

How to Get Here

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.

Park Amenities

Accessible Sites
Amphitheater
Animal-Safe Food Storage
Automated Entrance
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Baby Changing Station
Beach/Water Access
Bear Spray Purchase/Rental
Benches/Seating
Bicycle - Rack
Boat Ramp
Bus/Shuttle Stop
Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch
Dock/Pier
Electrical Outlet/Cell Phone Charging

Permits & Reservations

Permits may be required

Some activities in North Cascades National Park — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.

Operating Hours

North Cascades National Park Service Complex

North Cascades National Park Service Complex is open year-round. The park operational season is late May-late September, with limited services outside the operational season. The North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem is open during the operational season, dates may vary annually.

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  • SundayAll Day

When to Go

Crowd Calendar

Plan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.

Jan

Low

Feb

Low

Mar

Moderate

Apr

Moderate

May

High

Jun

Low

Jul

Low

Aug

Low

Sep

Moderate

Oct

Moderate

Nov

High

Dec

Low
Low Crowds
Moderate Crowds
High Crowds

Location

810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Around This Park

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Common Questions

Planning North Cascades

These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.

Reservation policies vary heavily by season. During peak summer months, many popular national parks require timed-entry permits or vehicle reservations just to enter the park, or specific permits for popular hikes (like Half Dome or Angels Landing). Always check the official NPS alerts and recreation.gov before setting your dates.