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.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,042 km² (788 sq mi)788 sq mi (2,042 km²)
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 km² (788 sq mi)788 sq mi (2,042 km²)
- 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 km² (788 sq mi)788 sq mi (2,042 km²) · 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
- 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
| 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
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
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
| 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
- 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 ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along WA-20 and at Stehekin, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| 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
Stehekin access no permit
Climbing and glacier routes no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$80
- US$5–10
- US$40–70
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — North Cascades National Park before you go.
Park rules
- 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
Remoteness high
Wildfire smoke and closures medium
Winter highway closure medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
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