North Cascades National Park covers more than 2 million acres, of federally designated wilderness, making it one of the largest parks in the lower 48 states. I’ve put together this ultimate hiking & camping guide to help you plan your North Cascades National Park getaway and make the most of your time there.
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The area is referred to as a complex, and is comprised of three National Park Service units- North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, + Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. In addition, other protected lands including several national forests and wilderness areas surround the park.
Rugged mountain peaks of the North Cascades Range, the most expansive glacial system in the contiguous United States, and numerous waterways. Go camping in forests with the highest degree of flora biodiversity of any American national park.
Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Go hiking through landscapes filled with life that have adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. The jagged mountain peaks are crowned by over 300 glaciers. This fragile landscape is especially sensitive to our Earth’s climate change.
Getting to North Cascades National Park
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North Cascades National Park is located about 3 hours outside of Seattle. The nearest airport to the North Cascades is Seattle Tacoma International airport (SEA). You can rent a car (Click Here to Save 10%) at the airport, and drive about 3 hours outside of Seattle to the park.
Camping + Where to Stay
There are a number of options for accommodations while visiting the different areas within the complex. Camping is the most budget friendly, and is my preferred accommodation type when visiting national lands. Campsites at Colonial Creek, Goodell Creek, and Newhalen Creek campground are $16 per night. Gorge Lake is $10 per night. Hozomeen campground is free. Backcountry camping (boat-in and wilderness) requires a free permit. More Information on Camping
Ross Lake Resort 206-386-4437
Rockport, WA 98283
www.rosslakeresort.com
North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin 1.855.685.4167
www.lodgeatstehekin.com
Pro Tip: Go camping at Colonial Creek campground. The campground is by the Visitor Center + the only area with cell service. However bring an extra battery charger because the sites are rustic. There are hiking trails within walking distance. Pyramid Lake trail is shorter, and the Thunder Creek trail which is longer.
Blue Lake Hiking Trail
Blue Lake trail is an extremely beautiful hike that takes you through alpine forests, a wild flower filled meadow, and towering mountains. You’ll end at the iridescent blue lake with crystal clear water below the glacier.
Length: Moderate, 5.3 miles (8.5 km) roundtrip, elevation gain 958 ft (292 m).
Location: North Cascades — Stehekin, Washington
Getting There: From Burlington, drive east on Hwy 20, the trailhead will be located at mileposts 161 + 162 on the south side of the road.
Rainy Lake Hiking Trail
Length: Paved & Easy, 2.0 miles (3.2 km) roundtrip, elevation gain 124 ft (38 m).
Location: North Cascades — North Cascades Highway – Hwy 20
Getting There: To go hiking from Marblemount follow Hwy 20 east for 20 miles to Gorge Lake Bridge. Continue for another 0.75 mile to the trailhead, on your right. You will see parking across the street from the trailhead.
Thunder Knob Trail
Look up and see the ridge of Sourdough Mountain and the snowfield of Davis Peak. A short trail leads to another viewpoint, looking across toward Jack Mountain and down toward the narrow channel of Diablo Lake.
Length: Moderately Easy, 3.6 miles (5.8 km) roundtrip, elevation gain 425 ft (130 m).
Location: North Cascades — Colonial Creek Campground
Getting There: To get there, take State Route 20 to milepost 130, Colonial Creek Campground is 24 miles (39 km) east of Marblemount. The trail head is at the entrance to the campground on the north side of the highway. **Bonus if you’re camping here!
Pyramid Lake Hiking Trail
The hiking trail starts beside Pyramid Creek and a beautiful cascading waterfall. Catch some cool breezes, and then almost immediately you’ll get to work ascending. The hiking trail is difficult and slow, covered in large roots, loose rocks, some scrambling, and up hill most of the way. When under the thin canopy of lodgepole pine, you’ll hear the silence of the woods and the trees creaking as they sway in the wind.
Length: Moderate, 4.5 miles (7.2 km) roundtrip, elevation gain 1500 ft (457 m).
Location: North Cascades — North Cascades Highway – Hwy 20
Getting There: From Marblemount follow Hwy 20 east for 20 miles to Gorge Lake Bridge. Continue for another 0.75 mile to the trailhead, on your right. You will see parking across the street from the trailhead.
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National Parks are always wonderful to visit. School has started back up here, so our travels are curtailed for awhile, but I will keep this on my radar.
I know how that goes! You could make a “travel adventure” jar for your kids/family to add money to throughout the school year, and at the end take an awesome trip!
US National parks look incredible! Would love to convert a van and go travelling
Wow, what a beautiful place to visit! I wish I could go there. Thanks for providing all the information about the national park.
You should go, or go to any other National Park. They’re all beautiful!
Stupendous view! I love nature and I bit, it will be a nice experience for me to visit there.
Oh wow! I’m not sure I could ever leave that place. it is absolutely one of the most gorgeous place I’ve ever seen.
it was magical, and VERY hard to leave 🙂
2 millions acres is a lot! I like travelling to places like this. It quickly connects you to mother nature.
That’s my favorite kind of travel. Escaping to the woods/mountains/nature to relax, heal, and reset 🙂
I love exploring our National Parks. There is so much flora, fauna and wildlife to encounter. I’ve never been to North Cascades but I’m definitely adding it to my must see list.
There is! All our parks are treasures, glad I inspired you! 🙂
Just seeing this post reminds me of how much I miss hiking. I haven’t been in a few months but I’m sure we will be going in a few weeks. North Cascades National Park is so picturesque it will be so difficult to go home to four walls.
I loved this. I would love to be one of those people who just travels full time and visit places like this.
Thats the dream! Boyfriend and I are going to sell everything/get remote jobs and travel North America in an adventure home/vehicle!
I would love to visit the North Cascades National Park and spend at least a few nights there, camping. The scenery is so beautiful and I love to clear the water of the lakes is.
The lakes are breathtaking, and those were taken on CLOUDY days… imagine what they look like on sunny days.