Hey there! Are you ready to plan an extraordinary trip to North Cascades National Park?! Known as the “American Alps,” these never-ending jagged peaks will fill your soul and awaken your sense of adventure! You are sure to find something here that everyone in your group will LOVE.
North Cascades is a place unlike any other — and somewhere you will talk about for years to come. With over 300 magnificent glaciers, spectacular wildflower-covered mountains, and glimmering alpine lakes, this park is sure to inspire you!
There is so much to do. You may have already looked at a map and been a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure that you don’t miss the best sights.
I’m a former park ranger, and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details. I’ve extensively explored North Cascades National Park and am here to help! Whether this is your first time to the park, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to the park, this list of 8 things is for you.
What You Need to Know
- This park is confusing! What is typically referred to as North Cascades is made up of three different sections — Ross Lake National Recreation Area, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and North Cascades National Park. All three sections together are called the North Cascades National Park Complex. The complex is surrounded by national forests, which include some of the best views ever! Traveling to each section will make your trip EPIC, but take a look at the park map to get your bearings before you go.
- You can visit the park anytime, but most people plan their trips for July – September for a better chance of snow-free trails. The park is open year round, though many services and parts of the main park highway close down during the winter.
- The park has two lodges, and they both are not accessible by road! To make lodging reservations or to learn more about your options, click here.
- Camping options abound in the North Cascades! There are sites for car camping, boat camping, group camping, wilderness camping, and bicycle camping. Check out all the options here.
- Numerous hiking trails converge and overlap in this park, so you don’t want to be caught hiking without a map. This is the map I use and recommend for North Cascades National Park.
I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the most popular sights, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off the beaten path as well. Let the adventure begin!
Click NEXT to see this exciting list of 8 things you can’t miss on your first visit to North Cascades National Park!
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Many thanks for this excellent introduction to the park. I did 1-7 in a single (very full) day.
For planning purposes, the seven run from east to west off Highway 20 in this order: 7,4,1,6,2,3,5. My ranking for sheer breathtaking beauty: 1,7,5,6,3,4,2. Diablo Lake Overlook (1) alone is worth the visit to the park, and its accessibility (just pull off the highway — no hiking!) makes it possible for everyone to enjoy. (My “beauty” ranking does not take into account the amount of time needed to get to the sight. Number 5 (Cascade Pass) took five hours to do the drive from Highway 20, hike to the Pass and back down, and return to Highway 20. 1,2,3,7 are all right off the highway and can be done in 15 minutes or less if you are in a hurry — which you shouldn’t be in this beautiful place!)
I might have ranked Rainy Lake higher if conditions were better. It was overcast, so no sun sparkling off the lake, and in August, the waterfall was relatively thin. Since it is far off on the other side of the lake from where the trail ends, it was a less compelling sight than it must be when the runoff is fuller.
Thanks again. This guide was a great way to get the most of the limited time I had to visit.
Thanks for the feedback Rich! I’m grateful for the time you took to share your experience in the park. You packed in a lot and it sounds like it was a great trip!
Ash I was so thrilled to find your blog. We are currently living in Keizer Oregon and were looking for a fun memorial day trip without too many crowds. We heard this is one of the least visited National Parks and thought we’d drive up to enjoy its beauty. Thanks for your posts, intricate instructions, and beautiful photography. We’re excited to check it out and maybe even take some pictures of some of our Washington 3d printed earrings while we’re there. 😉
I’ll be checking back in on your blog as we continue to plan more adventures to local national parks before we move away from the area. Thanks again!
Thanks Amber! Hope you had a great Memorial Day vacation!