North Cascades National Park is located close to Canada’s border and less than 3 hours from Seattle. It was named after the North Cascades mountains, a part of the Cascade Range extending from Northern California into British Columbia. That’s why it’s also called “The American Alps” resembling the jagged snow-capped mountain peaks of Switzerland.  There are over 300 glaciers in the North Cascades Range, making it the largest glacial system in the US (after Alaska).  

The park is one of the lesser-known ones in the area, making it perfect to explore the beautiful mountains but without the crowds.  

 

Planning your trip to North Cascades National Park 

Best time to visit North Cascades National Park? 

The park is open year-round but the peak operational season is late May – late September. Outside this peak season, there are limited services. The roads are usually accessible spring through late fall but this is of course weather dependent. State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway) is closed from mid to late November and re-opens late April or early May. The winter closure is at milepost 130 or 134. You can always visit the website of the park for more information about the weather conditions. 

But when do you need to visit? Every season has its beauty but the best period to visit North Cascades National Park is from June to September. There is (almost) no snow anymore and all trails are open for hiking. During spring the temperatures range from 4°C to 16°C and while some higher elevation trails can still have some snow, the beautiful wildflowers are abundant at the lower elevation trails.  

During summer, everything is open, and the temperature ranges from 16°C to 27°C. No wonder this period is the most popular making it sometimes very crowded.  

We visited the park at the beginning of September and were a little bit too early for the fall foliage. The weather can be unpredictable with temperatures between 4°C and 16°C. Also, in summer and early fall, wildfires can occur, making some parts of the park inaccessible. 

And the worst time? That would be wintertime. As said earlier, the North Cascades Highway is closed, making a large part of the park inaccessible.  

 

How to get to North Cascades National Park? 

The park is located about a 3-hour drive from Seattle so the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the closest airport. The airport has a great connection with not only domestic flights but also international flights. You can find the best deals on Skyscanner.

After arriving in Seattle, you need to rent a car to get to the National Park as there is no public transport. We rented a car through AutoEurope and picked it up in Seattle itself. But of course, you can always rent a car to pick up from the airport. A nice thing is that in the state of Washington, your partner can also drive the car without extra costs.  

Keep in mind that there are no gas stations in North Cascades National Park itself. Depending on where you stay, you will have to fill up your tank at the gas stations there.  

 

Entrance and Fees 

There are no entrance fees for North Cascades National Park. For some hikes, you will need a Northwest Forest Pass ($5 for a day or $30 annually – per vehicle). These passes are available at most ranger stations and many local businesses and gas stations in nearby towns.  

If you want to do backcountry camping, you will need a permit. You can find all the information here.

 

Where to stay?

If you want to stay in the National Park itself, Ross Lake Resort is the only lodge in the park. If you prefer to camp: there are several campgrounds in the park. During the operational season, it is advised to reserve a spot as early as you can.

On the east side of the park, you can book your stay in Winthrop. Hotel Rio Vista (Booking/Expedia/Trip.com), Mt Gardner Inn (Booking/Expedia/Trip.com), and River Run Inn (Booking/Expedia/Trip.com) all have good reviews.  

On the Western side of North Cascades National Park, you can stay at the town of Marblemount where you can find a few hotels and restaurants. Further down the road, you have Rockport and Concrete. We stayed at the Mt Baker Hotel (Booking/Expedia/Trip.com) in Concrete which was perfect for us. The rooms are very spacious and clean and have a little kitchen and sitting area. There are a few restaurants in town (try the burgers at Cascade Burgers and the pizza at Annie’s pizza Station.  

 

Where to eat? 

There are no supermarkets or restaurants inside North Cascades National Park. We had a packed lunch during our hikes and had dinner in the town where we stayed. Keep in mind that most restaurants close pretty early (in our opinion). Most of the gas stations in town, have a nice variety of things to buy for lunch or breakfast.  

 

Top things to do in North Cascades National Park 

North Cascades National Park is a hiker’s paradise: there are over 400 miles (640km) of hiking trails. But also for non-hikers, there are some amazing viewpoints to admire the beauty of the park.  

(note: when we were visiting, there were wild fires in part of the park. We wanted to hike Cascade Pass but the road to the trail head was closed). 

 

For us, a stop at the visitor center is a must before visiting a National Park. You can learn more about the park and buy some souvenirs like magnets. If you have a National Park Passport, this is also the place to get your stickers and stamps.  

 

Explore the Best North Cascades Hikes 

We downloaded all the trails onto our mobile phones before hiking. You don’t have any cell service at most of the trailheads, but GPS still works. Make sure you have a power bank with you, so you have enough battery. I used the Outdooractive app, but you could also use Alltrails.

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Thunder Knob Trail 

Distance: 5.5k (3.6 miles) roundtrip (out & back)
Elevation gain: 206m (425ft)
Difficulty: easy/moderate
Trail Guide: Alltrails  

This is an easy trail for some beautiful views of Diablo Lake. It can be busy in summer time but in fall, we came across only a few people.  

 

Maple Pass Trail 

Distance: 10.5k (6.5miles) roundtrip (loop)
Elevation gain: 659m (2162ft)
Difficulty: hard
Trail Guide: Alltrails   

You need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at the trailhead. You can buy it in advance, or pay the fee at the trail. There are toilets and picnic benches. 

This is the perfect fall hike that has a little bit of everything: forests, and panoramic views over the surrounding mountains and lakes. It’s a challenging route that is quite popular. For a gradual ascent, you can do the hike counterclockwise. You then have beautiful views from the top. We made a small detour to Lake Ann for a short break. The views at the top were amazing and the perfect location for lunch. Going down can be hard on the knees but with hiking poles, it should be ok.  

 

Cutthroat Pass (via PCT) 

Distance: 15.8k (9.8miles) roundtrip (out&back)
Elevation gain: 612m (2007ft)
Difficulty: hard
Trail Guide: Alltrails   

You need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at the trailhead. You can buy it in advance, or pay the fee at the trail. There are toilets and picnic benches. 

This hike is part of the PCT, so you can encounter some thru hikers. The ascent is very gradual and feels very easy. You walk a lot in the forest before coming about the tree line. Again, amazing views at the top but it can be very windy up there. Hiking poles are not necessary as there are no steep parts on the trail. You will have to cross some small water streams along the way but there are rocks to cross safely without getting wet feet. 

 

We also wanted to do the following hikes: 

• Pyramid lake (6.1k/3.8 miles – 455m/1500ft elevation gain): moderate hike    

• Cutthroat Lake (6.1k/3.8 miles – 122m/400ft elevation gain): easy/moderate hike    

• Cascade Pass (11.1k/6.9 miles – 550m/1700ft elevation gain): moderate hike   

• Blue lake trail (7.4k/4.6 miles – 279m/915ft elevation gain): moderate hike   

 

Scenic Drives and Viewpoints 

The North Cascades Highway (SR 20) is a stunning route to drive. Along the way, you can stop at different viewpoints. To drive the entire highway and stop at the different viewpoints, allow at least an hour. Some stops you have to make are at Ross Lake Overlook, Diablo Lake Overlook, Gorge Lake Overlook and Washington Pass Overlook.  

 

3-day Itinerary to visit North Cascades National Park 

Day 1 

Our first day started in Seattle. We left Seattle at about 10 am and had a quick stop at a supermarket to gather some things for breakfast and lunch. 

We always start with visiting the Visitor Center. It’s a nice way to learn more about the park and you can find information on all the areas and hikes. Especially during summer and fall when there is a chance of wildfires, it can be a good idea to stop. 

We drove the North Cascades Highway and stopped at the different viewpoints. We ended with the Thunder Knob Hike before going back to our hotel in Concrete. 

Day 2 

If you like hiking, you can do one of the day hikes like Maple Pass Trail, Cutthroat Pass Trail, or Cascade Pass Trail. We did the Maple Pass Trail.  

Day 3 

Today, you can do another long hike or combine multiple short hikes.  

 

Insider Tips for a Memorable Visit 

Safety and Leave No Trace Principles 

North Cascades National Park is a park with a lot of untouched beauty and nature. And because of the mountains, conditions can change very quickly. Always make sure that you check the weather forecast before planning hikes.  

When you eat something during your hikes or at one of the picnic benches: always take your trash with you! Remember: Take only memories, leave only footprints 

Here are some safety tips: 

• Don’t drive to fast! Make sure you can stop for anything (animals and people) 

• Always wear appropriate clothing (dress in layers) and footwear when you go hiking. Pack an extra layer of clothing depending on the most extreme conditions you could encounter 

• Stay on the trails 

• Do not depend on mobile phones as there are places without service. Always download hiking maps and Google Maps beforehand on your phone. And take a power bank with you for extra safety 

• If you travel alone: make sure that people know about your travel plans 

 

Must-Have Gear for your North Cascades Adventures 

If you plan on doing some day hikes when you visit North Cascades National Park, then you need good hiking shoes.  

And always carry the 10 essentials: 

1. Navigation: map, compass and GPS 
2. Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat 
3. Insulation: jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell, and thermal underwear 
4. Illumination: flashlight, lantern, headlamp (and extra batteries) 
5. First-aid kit 
6. Fire: matches, lighter, fire starters 
7. Repair kit: duct tape and a multi-tool 
8. Nutrition: food (preferably no-cook items with good nutritional value like trail mix and granola bars) 
9. Hydration: water and water treatment supplies  
10. Emergency shelter: tent, tarp, emergency space blanket 

 

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Wildlife Safety Measures 

At North Cascades National Park, you can see a wide variety of wildlife species. Always enjoy the views from a safe distance or your car. Deer, squirrels and pikas are often seen in the park. Occasionally you can also see elk, moose, and mountain goats. Also, black bears, wolverines, otters, cougars, and lynx have been seen (but in small numbers). Bird watchers can enjoy bald eagles, ospreys and peregrine falcons 

 

Why North Cascades Should Be on Your Bucket List 

If want to visit a national park that combines stunning scenery, peaceful solitude, and untouched wilderness, North Cascades National Park absolutely deserves a spot on your bucket list. Known as the “American Alps,” this park is a wonderland of towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and endless trails that will leave you in awe. Whether you’re hiking through lush forests, soaking in the serenity of a glacier-fed lake, or just savoring the crisp mountain air, you will love every moment. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to North Cascades National Park today and get ready to experience one of the most beautiful and underrated gems in the United States! 

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