National park · United States

North Cascades National ParkNorth Cascades National Park Service Complex

Drive WA-20 between Newhalem and Washington Pass in one day (Jul–Sep) and walk two short trails; skip the park entirely Nov–Apr when the highway closes at Ross Lake and most trails hold snow.

Not field-verifiedUNESCO Biosphere Reserve 1976Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

2,042 km²788 sq mi

approximate

Established

1968

Best months

Jul–Sep

UNESCO

Biosphere

Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…

North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

At a glance

Country: United States
Area: 2,042 km²788 sq mi; About 500,000 acres for the park proper; the wider Park Service Complex with Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas is larger (check).
Established: 1968
Best months: Jul–Sep
Permits: For some areas
Base: Seattle

North Cascades protects a glaciated wilderness of steep peaks, deep valleys and more than 300 glaciers — the most heavily glaciated area in the contiguous US. Almost all of it is designated Wilderness, so there are no roads beyond the WA-20 corridor and few developed facilities. Most visitors see it as a scenic drive with short walks; the rest is reached on foot, by boat up Lake Chelan to Stehekin, or not at all.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1976North Cascades Biosphere Reserve (check).

Size and age

2,042 km²788 sq mi · national park since 1968

About 500,000 acres for the park proper; the wider Park Service Complex with Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas is larger (check).

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Seattle.

Why go

The most glaciated landscape in the lower 48: over 300 glaciers and snowfields feed turquoise reservoirs along the highway.
Diablo Lake's colour and the Washington Pass spires are seen from the road, with no hiking required.
Stehekin, at the head of Lake Chelan, is reachable only by ferry, trail or float plane — a village with no road in.
Old-growth forest survives in groves that were never logged, plus alpine meadows that flower briefly in July and August.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanAvoid
FebAvoid
MarAvoid
AprCaution
MayCaution
JunGo
JulBest
AugBest
SepBest
OctGo
NovAvoid
DecAvoid

JanWA-20 closed at Ross Lake; snow
FebClosed; deep snow
MarClosed; avalanche season
AprHighway may reopen late month; snow at passes
MayRoad open, trails still snowbound
JunSnow melting; waterfalls high
JulHigh trails open; alpine flowers
AugWarmest and driest; busiest
SepClear, quieter, early larches
OctColour; first snow possible
NovHighway closes; most services shut
DecClosed; snow

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for North Cascades National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Black bears and deer along trailsMay–Oct · Store food properly; bears are active at dawn and dusk.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Alpine wildflowersJul–Aug · Short season; best above the passes.	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no	no	no	no
Salmon in the SkagitSep–Nov · The river still supports all five Pacific salmon species.	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no
Grizzly bear, gray wolf and Canada lynxAll year · Present in the ecosystem but very rarely seen.	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Seattle

I-5 north to Burlington, then WA-20 east; the North Cascades Visitor Center at Newhalem is about 2.5 h from the city.

2.5–3 h

Open the page →

From Bellingham

I-5 to Burlington then WA-20 east, or WA-542 toward Mount Baker for the southern trailheads.

1.5–2 h

From Vancouver, BC

I-5 south to Burlington, then WA-20 east.

3–3.5 h

From Chelan (for Stehekin)

Drive to the Lady of the Lake dock, then the passenger ferry up Lake Chelan.

4 h ferry

Zones and sectors

Zones of North Cascades National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
North Cascades Highway corridor (WA-20)	The only major road: overlooks, short trails and the visitor centres at Newhalem.	Open to cars when the highway is open; no fee.
Ross Lake National Recreation Area	Diablo and Ross reservoirs, dams and the highway's steepest scenery.	Road access along WA-20; boat and kayak access on the lakes.
Park proper (north and south of the Skagit)	Wilderness ridges, glaciers and the long backcountry routes.	On foot only; overnight permit required.
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and Stehekin	The roadless village at the head of Lake Chelan and the Stehekin Valley.	Passenger ferry, float plane or a long hike.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions along WA-20 and at Stehekin, for orientation only.

1Sedro-Woolley headquarters · Headquarters≈48.511, -122.228Map ↗
2Marblemount Wilderness Information Center · Ranger station≈48.538, -121.448Map ↗
3Newhalem visitor center · Headquarters≈48.666, -121.267Map ↗
4Diablo Lake Overlook · Viewpoint≈48.710, -121.097Map ↗
5Ross Lake Overlooks · Viewpoint≈48.728, -121.038Map ↗
6Rainy Pass · Trail≈48.519, -120.736Map ↗
7Washington Pass Overlook · Viewpoint≈48.526, -120.650Map ↗
8Stehekin Landing · Village≈48.308, -120.656Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

ViewpointsEasy20 minDiablo Lake OverlookRoadside pull-off at about mile 132; the turquoise colour comes from glacial flour in the water.

ViewpointsEasy30 minWashington Pass OverlookShort paved walk to a vista over the Liberty Bell group; the highest point on the highway.

TrailsHard5–8 hCascade Pass and Sahale ArmFrom Cascade River Road; steep switchbacks to a pass, then a high ridge. Snow lingers into July.

TrailsModerate2–3 hThunder KnobFrom Colonial Creek, a short climb to a view over Diablo Lake; good half-day when passes are snowy.

TrailsEasy30–60 minTrail of the Cedars and Newhalem trailsAccessible forest and river walks near the visitor centre.

CultureEasyFull dayStehekin ValleyFerry in, shuttle up the valley to High Bridge, walk or ride back.Booking: Ferry and shuttle seats book out in summer

Boat tripsModerateHalf to full dayRoss Lake by kayakPaddling from the Diablo area; the lake runs north across the Canadian border.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

USD ranges · check

Fees for North Cascades National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Entrance fee	Free	vehicle	No entrance fee is charged at North Cascades (check).
America the Beautiful annual pass	US$80	year	2026 estimate; covers federal fee areas for a year.
Backcountry permit (overnight)	US$0–10	permit	2026 estimate; some areas add a per-person nightly charge (check).
Stehekin shuttle bus	US$5–10	person	Adult fare about $10, child 2–11 about $5, bike about $10 (check).
Lady of the Lake ferry to Stehekin	US$40–70	person one way	2026 estimate; slower and faster boats priced differently (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Backcountry overnight permit permit or guide

Reserve in advance or self-issue at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount; required year-round for nights in the park.

Stehekin access no permit

Book the passenger ferry from Chelan, a float plane, or walk in; no road reaches the village.

Climbing and glacier routes no permit

No separate permit for most climbs, but register your plan and carry glacier gear (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Backcountry permits: Required year-round for overnight stays in the park; self-issue when the Marblemount centre is closed.
Leave No Trace: Pack out all rubbish, bury human waste, and camp away from lakes and streams.
Fires: Campfires are restricted or banned in much of the backcountry; check current fire rules before you go.check
Drones: Launching drones is not allowed in national park areas.
Wildlife: Do not feed or approach animals; keep food in a vehicle or bear canister.

Where to stay

In the park

Stehekin lodges and ranch

A handful of lodges and a guest ranch in the roadless valley; book the ferry and the bed together.

Near the park

Marblemount and Concrete

Motels, cabins and campgrounds on the west approach to the park.

Near the park

Winthrop and Mazama

East-side base with more choice, about an hour from Washington Pass.

In the park

Colonial Creek and Newhalem campgrounds

Frontcountry camping along WA-20; some sites reserve, others first-come.

Safety

Snow on high trails high

Carry traction and an ice axe on pass routes until late July; ask rangers about conditions.

Remoteness high

Phone signal is patchy to absent; tell someone your plan and carry a map and compass.

Wildfire smoke and closures medium

Large fires have burned near the highway and Lake Chelan in recent summers; check current closures before travelling.

Winter highway closure medium

WA-20 closes between Ross Lake and Mazama in winter; the detour via Stevens Pass adds hours.

Accessibility

The North Cascades Visitor Center at Newhalem and its interpretive trails are accessible.
Diablo Lake and Washington Pass overlooks are reached by car with short, mostly level walks.
Most trails and all backcountry routes are steep, rough and not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

Stay on trails in alpine meadows; the growing season is only a few weeks.
Use the Stehekin shuttle or walk rather than bringing a second vehicle into the valley.
Pack out everything, including food waste, from backcountry camps.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter North Cascades National Park?

There is no entrance fee at North Cascades (check). You pay for what you use: an America the Beautiful annual pass if you also visit fee-charging parks, a backcountry permit for overnight trips, and the Stehekin ferry or shuttle if you go up Lake Chelan.

What are the best hikes in North Cascades National Park?

For a short walk, Thunder Knob above Diablo Lake or the forest trails at Newhalem. For a full day, Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm from Cascade River Road — steep, high and usually snowbound until July. Everything longer needs a backcountry permit.

When is the best time to visit North Cascades National Park?

July to September, when WA-20 is open and the high trails have melted out. October brings colour and early snow; from November the highway closes between Ross Lake and Mazama and most services shut.

Do I need a permit to camp?

Yes. Overnight stays in the park need a backcountry permit year-round, from the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount or a self-issue station when it is closed.

Can I reach Stehekin by car?

No. Stehekin has no road connection; you arrive by passenger ferry from Chelan, by float plane, or on foot via the Pacific Crest Trail or the Stehekin Valley trails.

Is the North Cascades Highway open in winter?

No. WA-20 closes between Ross Lake and Mazama for the winter, usually from November to late April, and the detour via Stevens Pass takes several hours.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go