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Would it shock you, if I said that North Cascades National Park is in the top ten of the LEAST visited National Parks in the United States? Somehow this beautiful place nestled in the Cascade Mountains, draws less visitors per year than most other parks. However, if you make the time to visit this stunning area, you will not be disappointed.
I am going to give an overview of NCNP, including hikes, best places to stay and pitfalls to avoid. I hope you enjoy this post, as I am truly in bliss reliving my adventures in this park!
National Park Musts
Before we jump in, a quick PSA:
- Download offline maps, service is spotty at best
- Tell someone your plans and check in after your hike
- Carry more water than you think you’ll need (trust me)
- Pack salty + protein snacks.
- Always stay on the trail to protect the landscape.
- Absolutely no smoking in or near the park.
Park Access
Don’t forget that entry to the park for 4 people/1 car is $30. If you plan on visiting more than 1 day or multiple national parks during the year you must opt for the year long pass. It has paid dividends for me time and time again. The American the Beautiful pass is $80, lasts for an entire year and has unlimited park access. Grab yours here.
How to Get There
Unfortunately, I think there is a reason why North Cascades National Park is continually one of the least visited of the US National Parks, and its location, location, location. As with most parks, driving is 100% necessary and there is also a fair bit of commuting while you are visiting this park as well. But I promise the juice is worth the squeeze!
- Seattle/Tacoma Airport (SEA) ~ 2.5 hours
- Paine Field (PAE) ~ 2 hours.
- Portland, OR Airport (PDX) ~ 5 hours
- Vancouver, BC (YVR) ~ 2.5 hours
Where to Stay
In my opinion, the best place to stay (if you want to camp) is at Colonial Creek Campground. These campsites are fairly “central” in the park, so your commute whether to the east or west won’t be too excessive. If you would rather stay somewhere with running water (me), you’ll end up sacrificing shorter drive times for hot showers. Here are a couple of spots in and around the park to stay. The good news is, if you plan early you will have access to a plethora of choices.
Ross Lake Resort
- Prices and sleeping arrangements vary by cabin.
Peaceful Forest Cabin, Winthrop
- ~$250/night. Sleeps 4-6.
- I am a little biased, because I stayed in this sweet cabin during my time in the North Cascades. The host was gracious and attentive, the cabin felt *woodsy* while still ensuring you wouldn’t be attacked by a bear or serial killer (the fear of every millennial). Additionally, if you happen to run out of, let’s say, beer? Driving to the town of Winthrop is no biggie.
Skagit Riverhouse Retreat
- ~$530/night. Sleeps 4.
- This lovely Airbnb sits 15 minutes west of the park entrance. Making it easy access for hikes that begin near the visitors center (looking at you Cascade Pass). The bonus part of this beautifully designed house is that it is dog friendly and directly on the river. After a long day of hiking and exploring, you can sit on the patio and watch the river run by or around the fire pit with your pals reminiscing on the day.
Camping
If you have ever camped in the Pacific Northwest, you will know it is a cutthroat and competitive process for campsite reservations. If you are wanting to camp in this spectacular national park, bring your fastest clicking fingers to snag a site. However, many campgrounds leave access for first come, first serve sites as well. Here are the campground options in NCNP:
- Goodell Creek Campground: 18 sites with 2 large group sites. Right next to the Skagit River
- Colonial Creek Campground: two grounds on either side of the bridge that divides Diablo Lake. There is a total of around 120 sites, but its a hot spot being next to the lake, so plan accordingly!
- Gorge Lake Campground: only 8 sites right on the Skagit River.
- Newhalem Creek Campground: 107 sites located right next to Newhalem, just past the visitor center of the park.
Hiking Overview
North Cascades spans 788 square miles and is the largest of the 3 national parks that are in Washington. From short and sweet to long and rewarding there is a hike here for everyone. As always stop by the visitors center for tips from the rangers, a NCNP sticker (a must) and to play around with their light up, topographical map of the Cascade Mountain Range (I loved it!).
Quickies
- Sterling Munro Boardwalk: a short 0.3 mile stroll behind the visitors center to a stunning mountain view. The walk will take less than 5 minutes and is well worth your stop.
- Trail of Cedars: 0.6 mile walk near the river, includes educational signs, magnificent trees, a suspension bridge and stunning river views. Perfect for the whole family!
- Ladder Creek Falls: 0.5 miles around a powerhouse that includes lovely gardens, bridge access and waterfall to top it all off.
- Gorge Creek Falls: see below for drivable viewpoints to check out these falls. Take the 0.5 mile walk from the parking lot to see the real pièce de résistance: the views of the lake.
Mediums
- Blue Lake: 4.6 miles, 900 feet of elevation gain. The hike ends epically with a crystal clear lake mirroring the mountain views. Bring bug spray if you want to hang out near the lake!
- Diablo Lake Trail: 7.6 miles, 1500 feet of elevation gain. Who can resist a medium hike with peek-a-boo lake views throughout? Not this gal.
- Pyramid Lake: 4.2 miles, 1500 feet of elevation gain, a steep and clear hike ending in a small lake. If you are looking for peace and quiet this trail is slightly less busy during the peak summer months.
- Maple Pass to Lake Ann: 7.4 miles, 2200 feet of elevation gain. I recognize those stats don’t scream easy, but this is a quick, not technical, extremely rewarding hike with forest and lake views.
Toughies
- Cascade Pass+ Sahale Arm: 11.5 miles and 4000 feet of elevation gain. A challenging hike with big efforts and big payoffs. This path includes mountain goats, bears (potentially!), forest pathways, rock scrambling, alpine lakes and incredible mountain views. Don’t be too intimidated by the mileage or elevation, there are multiple opportunities to call it a day while still experiencing the hike. If you aren’t ready to conquer the Sahale Arm turn back at the Cascade Pass Viewpoint or near Doubtful Lake. If you are ready for a real challenge continue the trail up the Sahale Arm for *peak* views of the peaks.
Don’t Miss Viewpoints
- Gorge Creek Falls: easily accessible from highway 20.
- Ross Lake Overlook: you really can’t get enough views of these aquamarine colored lakes.
- Washington Pass Observation Site: your jaw will be on the ground looking at the mountains from this viewpoint. Keep on your Birkenstocks, this an easy paved pathway to traverse.
- Diablo Lake Vista Point: have I made it clear that you should do everything you can to see these lakes? Don’t skip this one!
Lakes
You would be remiss to not spend an afternoon at Diablo Lake or Ross Lake enjoying the sun and aquamarine water. My recommendation would be to bring SUPs, kayaks or canoes along to full enjoy the lakes. Drive either to Thunder Knob Trailhead or Colonial Creek Campgrounds and set up along the shore for your lake day. Don’t be surprised if the water is just a little chilly, but it is well worth it paddle, swim or float along the lake.
If visiting Ross Lake, make sure to read their “getting here page” on their website so you are well informed!
Cycling
There are a few great cycling routes for enthusiasts in the park. Of course as with any adventure make sure you are well prepared with water, snacks, flat tire kit and spare tube as services in the park are limited.
- North Cascades Highway (state route 20)
- Stehekin Valley Road
- Cascade River Road
Hot Tips
Car Time
Anticipate spending a bit of time in the car! From our place between Winthrop and Mazama to the Cascade Pass trailhead was about 3 hours. Highway 20 (that runs through the park) is a 2 lane, very windy mountain pass. The mileage was short, but the nature of the highway doesn’t allow it to be traveled quickly.
Additionally, in the case of our trek to Cascade Pass, the 23 mile road up to the trailhead takes about an hour itself. This resulted in an early morning and long trek back after a long day of hiking. My best recommendation would be calling the visitor center before booking a stay to fully understand the drive time to your chosen hikes and potential accommodations. If you don’t mind beautiful, scenic drives then you are in luck there are plenty of those.
Maps
The largest challenge of planning a trip to NCNP, is doing the actual planning of routes. Highway 20, which is the highway that is the through line of the entire park closes due to snow from about November – May. Well, google maps will not route you down a highway when its closed, so it can be a little difficult when trying to plan during the off season and get an accurate idea of distance and time.
My best recommendation is to plan in advance, read the NPS website, chat with the NCNP visitor center OR ask me! Shoot me and email and let’s chat all things NCNP in the off season. I would love to be a resource for you.
Gas
Be advised there is no gas inside the park. The final gas station is the Chevron in Marblemount until you get to the other side of the park (about 2 hours) and have access to the town of Winthrop. Drive safely and fill up early and often!
The Bottom Line
Do whatever you can to spend time in this stunning park. The teal lakes and their viewpoints are enough to make me want to go again. Throw in the spectacular hikes like Cascade Pass and you’ll be forgetting that you spent an hour on a gravel road to get to the trailhead.
