A Travel Guide to North Cascades National Park
- Carol Lam
- Aug 26, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 7, 2025
Often referred to as the American Alps, North Cascades National Park is home to jagged mountain peaks, glacial lakes, alpine meadows, dense forests, and more. Whether you’re looking to hike through a mountain pass or simply want to enjoy a leisurely visit, this park has activities and sights for every type of traveler.
Over the past few years, I've found myself returning to the North Cascades for its dramatic landscapes and the quieter experience it offers compared to other national parks. To help plan your own visit, keep reading for my detailed guide and watch my YouTube video.
Table of Contents
Skip ahead to specific sections in this guide!
When to Visit North Cascades National Park
Below you’ll find a breakdown of what weather to generally expect during each season. Be sure to pack layers as weather can change quickly and storms are common in the North Cascades—even in summer.
• Summer (June—August): Expect warm weather during the day and cool weather at night. Summer is considered peak season in the North Cascades with access to roads and trails that were previously closed due to snow. The weather is at its warmest, daylight hours are longer, and higher elevation areas are blanketed in wildflowers—there were countless wildflowers and butterflies during my most recent visit in July 2025. Be sure to check trail conditions as snow can linger on trails, especially in early summer.
• Fall (September—October): Expect cool days and chilly nights. Autumn is considered shoulder season in the North Cascades with fewer visitors and cooler days. During this time of year, the park becomes draped in fall colors with golden larches that can be found along some trails.
• Winter (November—March): Expect snowy and cold weather. Winter is considered off-season as heavy snow and avalanche risk make roads and trails in the North Cascades inaccessible. Most roads, trails, and services do not reopen until early summer.
• Spring (April—May): Expect chilly to cold weather. Spring is considered another shoulder season in the North Cascades. This is a quiet time of year as many parts of the park remain inaccessible due to snow—even into late spring. Be sure to check road conditions prior to your visit.
Where to Stay in North Cascades National Park
Below you'll find recommendations on where to stay in or near the North Cascades, as well as types of accommodations to expect.
Staying in North Cascades National Park: Below you'll find types of accommodations to expect if you prefer to stay in the park.
• Camping: There are a few campgrounds in the North Cascades with several campsites available. Find them listed here. During my most recent visit, I stayed at Newhalem Creek Campground and recommend it. This forested campground is located along the Skagit River and is near a general store for resupplying.
• Backpacking: There are several backpacking trails in the North Cascades. Find them listed here.
• Lodging: There is very limited lodging in the North Cascades. Find them listed here.
Staying near North Cascades National Park: Below you'll find types of accommodations to expect if you don't mind staying outside the park. Towns like Marblemount, Rockport, Concrete, and Winthrop offer accommodations near the park.
• Lodging: There are several Airbnbs in towns near the North Cascades. During a previous visit, I stayed at this Airbnb in Marblemount and cannot recommend it enough—I can distinctly remember the still mornings at this cozy off-grid cabin (see here). There are also inns and lodges in these towns, but they are limited.
• Camping: There are a few campgrounds located near the North Cascades—most of which offer limited facilities.
Getting Around in North Cascades National Park
Below you'll find recommendations on how to get to, from, and around the North Cascades.
The most common way to get to, from, and around the North Cascades is by car as the park is not directly accessible by public transit. As you plan your visit, keep in mind that:
• The closest major airport to the park is Seattle–Tacoma International Airport—located roughly three hours away by car.
• If you plan to fly into SeaTac, there is a wide selection of rental car options available. However, note that rental car costs can be very high during summer. During my most recent visit, I rented through Turo which cost less than half of a traditional rental.
• There are no gas stations inside the park. Be sure to fill up your tank before entering the park, especially if you plan to explore remote areas.
Travel Tips for North Cascades National Park
Below you'll find extra bits of information that you might want to know before your visit to the North Cascades.
• Do I need a reservation to visit the North Cascades? While you don’t need a reservation to visit the North Cascades, parking at certain trailheads requires a Northwest Forest Pass—which can be purchased here. Be sure to check if the trails you plan to visit require one. You can also refer here for some trails that require a pass.
• Check park alerts prior to your visit. I planned to hike the Maple Pass Trail in 2023 and 2024, but both times the trail was closed due to wildfires. Wildfires have become more frequent in the North Cascades—especially in late summer and early fall. Be sure to check the National Park Service's website for any alerts prior to your visit.
• Download offline apps prior to your visit. As you might expect, cell service is minimal to nonexistent once you're within park boundaries so be sure to download offline apps like navigation maps and trail maps ahead of time.
What to do in North Cascades National Park
Below you'll find a list of places to visit in the North Cascades, including hiking trails and scenic overlooks. This list includes places I have visited so far and is not meant to cover all the sights in the park. However, I will continue to update this list with additional places as I hope to return in the future.
Maple Pass Trail: The Maple Pass Trail is a quintessential hike in the North Cascades. This 6.5-mile loop trail is picturesque at every turn with views of mountain peaks, alpine meadows, and glacial lakes. It is especially popular in the summer for wildflowers and in the fall for larches. I hiked the Maple Pass Trail on my most recent visit during summer, and it was overflowing with wildflowers and butterflies of every color—I cannot recommend this trail enough.
Purchase a Northwest Forest Pass here in advance.
Blue Lake Trail: The Blue Lake Trail is another popular hike in the North Cascades and for good reason. This 4.6-mile out-and-back trail winds past towering peaks and alpine meadows before reaching Blue Lake. I hiked to Blue Lake on a previous visit during summer when wildflowers blanketed the trail—I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary.
Purchase a Northwest Forest Pass here in advance.
Diablo Lake: Surrounded by forested mountains, Diablo Lake is known for its vibrant (and milky) turquoise color. Here are two ways I recommend seeing the lake: Diablo Lake Vista Point offers one of the most iconic views in the North Cascades. The overlook is located right by the parking lot, making it accessible to everyone. Colonial Creek Campground offers a day-use area with a lakeside beach. This is a popular spot for paddleboarding and kayaking.
Washington Pass Observation Site: Washington Pass Observation Site offers sweeping views of Liberty Bell Mountain as well as North Cascades Highway ribboning through the forested valley below. The overlook can be reached on a paved, 0.3-mile loop trail.
Ross Lake Overlook: Ross Lake Overlook offers a view of the lake surrounded by forested mountains. The overlook itself is a roadside pullout that is accessible to everyone.
Sterling Munro Boardwalk: A short walk on the Sterling Munro Boardwalk ends at an overlook of the Picket Mountain Range in the distance, towering behind the dense forest below. There are benches here for visitors to sit and enjoy the view.
Skagit River Loop Trail: The Skagit River Trail is a 1.9-mile loop that winds through a mossy forest and along a riverbank—offering views of the Skagit River beneath surrounding mountains.
Comments