About North Cascades National Park
Less than three hours from Seattle, an alpine landscape beckons. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth's changing climate. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades.
Quick Facts
Operating Hours
North Cascades National Park Service Complex is open year-round. The park operational season is late May-late September, with limited services outside the operational season. The North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem is open during the operational season, dates may vary annually.
Activities
Getting There
Access to North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is from the State Route 20 corridor. SR 20 (North Cascades Highway) connects with Interstate 5 (Exit 230) at Burlington. From the east, the highway intersects with US 97 at Okanogan and with SR 153 at Twisp. The State Department of Transportation closes a portion of the road between Ross Dam Trailhead and Lone Fir Campground in winter. The Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Stehekin) is accessible by ferry or plane from Chelan.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Plan a Backcountry Trip
Backcountry camping in the North Cascades can be an exciting adventure for prepared hikers.
Fishing in the North Cascades
Fishing is popular in many lakes and rivers of the North Cascades.
Fishing is popular in the lakes and rivers of the North Cascades.
Day Hiking in North Cascades
Hike the North Cascades to experience some of the finest mountain country in North America.
Paddling in the North Cascades
Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular on the lakes of the North Cascades.
Boating in the North Cascades includes the chance to go kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, rafting, and motorboating.
Motorboating in the North Cascades
Motorboating is a popular activity on Gorge, Diablo, and Ross lakes, and Lake Chelan.
Motorboating is a popular activities on Gorge, Diablo, and Ross lakes, and Lake Chelan.
Rafting in the North Cascades
The Skagit and Stehekin rivers attract many whitewater enthusiasts for rafting and kayaking, especially during the summer months.
Rafting is most popular on the Skagit River and Stehekin River. Private guiding services are available.
Visitor Centers
Forest Info Center with HQ Administration Building
The North Cascades National Park Service Complex Headquarters (Administrative Offices) is five miles east of I-5 in Burlington and 46 miles west of the North…
Golden West Visitor Center
Visitor Center located short walk from the passenger ferry landing at Stehekin Landing inside what was the historic Golden West Lodge.
Hours: The Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin remains closed. North Cascades National Park and its partners continue to offer information and services to help visitors experience this remote area of the park.
North Cascades Visitor Center
Location: Across the Skagit River from the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) near milepost 120 and the town of Newhalem. Adjacent to Newhalem Creek…
Hours: The North Cascades Visitor Center is open daily through the summer and closed during the winter. Email for exact dates and hours.
Wilderness Information Center
The Wilderness Information Center is the main backcountry permit office for North Cascades National Park and the adjacent Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation…
Hours: Hours vary by season; call for details.
Campgrounds
Colonial Creek North Campground
Colonial Creek North Campground is a remote, yet bustling campground nestled in old growth forest. Located on the north side of State Route 20 near…
Colonial Creek South Campground
Colonial Creek South Campground is a remote, yet busy campground nestled in old growth forest on the south side of State Route 20 near mile…
Goodell Creek Campground
Goodell Creek Campground is situated in lush, old growth forest on the banks of the Skagit River. Campsites are suitable for tents and small RVs.…
Gorge Lake Campground
Gorge Lake Campground is located on the bank of Gorge Lake, next to the cascading Stetattle Creek and is a primitive camp with no water.…
Harlequin Campground
Harlequin Campground is located near Stehekin in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, 4.5 miles up the Stehekin Valley Rd from Stehekin Landing and 0.5 miles…
Hozomeen Campground
Hozomeen Campground is located at the north end of Ross Lake and is open from late May through October. There is no camping fee, and…
Lakeview Campground
Located at the head of Lake Chelan, Lakeview Campground is a five minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing. All sites are walk-in…
Lower Goodell Group Campground
Lower Goodell Group Campground is a convenient campground on the banks of Goodell Creek. Each group site has 5 tent pads, a pavilion with picnic…
Newhalem Creek Campground
Newhalem Creek Campground is a comfortable facility close to the town of Newhalem and the Skagit River. It is surrounded by forests that that can…
Purple Point Campground
Located at the head of Lake Chelan, Purple Point Campground is a ten minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing. All sites are…
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