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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
The best weather for visiting the North Cascades generally occurs between mid-June and late-September. Summer daytime temperatures average in the 70's F. Snow is off most trails by mid-July. Autumn and Spring are popular for color and wildlife. Storms are common: always be prepared for a few days of rain…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Washington. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
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
Current Alerts
Chelan County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 1 Fire Advisory (Get Ready) for areas in Stehekin, Stehekin Valley Road from Harlequin Bridge to High Bridge, including Company Creek Road and side roads. Visitors should be aware there is a wildfire in the area. There are park closures in effect. For park closures visit the Fire Closures page. Stehekin businesses are open and continue to welcome visitors outside of the closure areas.
Smoke from wildfires is to be expected with active fires across the region.Take precautions when recreating outdoors when heavy smoke is present.
Visitor and recreational opportunities continue to be available in the Stehekin Valley. Some services are limited at the Stehekin Landing following flood damage in December 2025.
Effective Monday, June 29, campfires or the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans, and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of North Cascades National Park Service Complex, which includes North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.. This applies to anything that produces ash, including charcoal grills. Propane fire pits are not allowed during the ban.
The Stehekin area is prone to flooding, which increases in a post-fire environment. Know before you go – visit the Post Fire Safety page for information on what to do in a flash flood and debris flow area
Until further notice, the gate at Hozomeen will remain closed; vehicle and foot traffic across the US/Canada border is prohibited. Visitors must enter through a designated port of entry.
For closures due to fire activity visit the Fire Closures page, including trail, area, and camp closures for current and post fire conditions.
Due to silt accumulation, the Diablo Lake boat launch at Colonial Creek South Campground is not usable for launching most powerboats. Expect shallow or no water at the launch ramp and the possibility of needing to carry your boat to or from the water.
Prevent smashed windows and theft. Break-ins are not uncommon at trailheads along State Route 20. Remove your valuables and electronics and take associated electronic cords.
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
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Day Hiking in North Cascades
Hike the North Cascades to experience some of the finest mountain country in North America.
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.
Paddling in the North Cascades
Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular on the lakes of the North Cascades.
Motorboating in the North Cascades
Motorboating is a popular activity 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.
Visitor Centers
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.
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…
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…
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…
Campgrounds
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…
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.…
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…
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.…
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…
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 sites…
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 walk-in…
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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