Exploring North Cascades National Park: The Most Underrated National Park In The U.S. (+ Free PDF itinerary)
Exploring North Cascades National Park in Washington has been a top experience for us. As one of the most underrated National Parks, it encompasses every characteristic that sparks our love for these wild places. Nicknamed the “American Alps,” North Cascades National Park offers a mix of outdoor recreation and undisturbed wilderness. Its remoteness, rugged terrain, turquoise lakes, and glacier-covered peaks left us seeking endless outdoor adventures.
While there are scenic drives and overlooks, nothing compares to discovering this park by foot. With just over 40,000 visitors a year, explore our favorite national park without the crowds on some of the most popular hiking trails in Washington. Hiking and camping here offer the kind of peace and stillness that’s hard to find in other national parks.
PLEASE PRACTICE LEAVE NO TRACE
Our public lands need our help more than ever. You can help by educating yourself on Leave No Trace principles & PRACTICING them. It’s up to us to recreate responsibly and keep these places protected for future generations!
Practice Leave No Trace Principles by:
- staying on designated trails
- packing out everything you bring in
- respecting wildlife from a distance
- Always showing kindness to rangers, all park staff and fellow visitors
- and educating others on how this will minimize our impact on nature
It’s up to us to keep these places protected for future generations.
Disclosure: When you buy something using links from this blog post, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We are reader-supported, so thank you for the gallon of gas for our outdoor adventures!⛽️
Where Is North Cascades National Park
Sitting right on the U.S.-Canada border, North Cascades National Park was the perfect option for us when our Canadian Rockies road trip got cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its jagged mountain peaks, glacier-carved valleys, deep, and turqouise colored lakes have us wondering why it’s one of the least visited parks in the U.S. The landscape reminded us of Glacier National Park, which sees 2.9 million visitors annually (in 2023), but North Cascades only sees a fraction of that at under 50,000 annual visitors!
North Cascades National Park borders two areas of protected lands:
- West: Mount Baker Wilderness area and Snoqualmie National Forest (well-known for Snoqualmie Falls)
- East: Okanogan National Forest
How to get there from:
- Seattle: 2 hours (107 miles)
- Olympic National Park: 4 hours (151 miles)
- Mount Rainier National Park : 4.5 hours (196 miles)
Highway 20 in Washington, also known as the North Cascades Highway, is the only paved road through the park. Highway 20 runs east-west along the Skagit River, displaying breathtaking views like towering mountains and lush forests. It spans 72 miles between Newhalem and Winthrop with no gas stations in between, so fuel up in Marblemount before entering!
Note: Highway 20 in Washington is usually closed between November and April due to snowfall.
Travel Tip: The North Cascades Visitor Center is in Newhalem. Stop here before entering the park for information and updates, maps, and exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural history.
Navigating North Cascades
When exploring North Cascades National Park, keep in mind that it is divided into three main areas: Ross Lake National Recreational Area, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and North Cascades National Park (North and South)
- North Cascades National Park (North and South Units)
These two main wilderness zones are largely roadless and accessible only by hiking trails or backcountry routes. This is where you’ll find the most remote and rugged terrain. - Ross Lake National Recreation Area
The most accessible part of the park, this area runs along Highway 20 and includes popular spots like Diablo Lake, Ross Dam, and the floating cabins at Ross Lake Resort. - Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
Located at the southern edge of the park and only accessible by boat, plane, or foot, this area includes the remote community of Stehekin and offers spectacular lake and mountain scenery.
Many visitors will spend most of their time in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, the only part of the park accessible by vehicle. Advanced planning and permits are essential to hike into the more remote North and South Units or to visit Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
Navigation tips:
- Download offline maps via Google Maps or AllTrails before arriving, or bring a navigation and messaging device. Cell service is limited.
- Bring a paper map or NPS map from a visitor center.
- Pay attention to trailhead signs and ranger updates, especially for weather or wildfire warnings.
👉🏻 If you’re still wondering what makes this one of the most underrated National Parks, head to my blog post for 10 Reasons to Visit North Cascades National Park in Washington
Where to Stay in North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park offers a variety of campsites that cater to different preferences and levels of experience. All drive-in campgrounds along State Route 20 are on a reservation system from mid-May to early September. Reservations can be made in advance.
Inside the Park
Ross Lake Resort
Ross Lake Resort is the only lodge along Highway 20 inside the park. And get ready for this: it’s a floating cabin lodge only accessible by boat or on foot! A perfect lodging option for exploring North Cascades National Park for those seeking solitude and comfort in the outdoors with traditional amenities. It offers rustic cabins ranging from single rooms to larger cabins able to accommodate up to 8 people.
The cabins do not have indoor plumbing, but there is a tap outside of each one and access to boat-in campsites along Ross Lake. A unique and peaceful experience!
Hikers can also take advantage of the boat shuttle service offered by the Ross Lake Resort, which takes you to one of the 19 camps on Ross Lake, only accessible by boat.
Developed campgrounds in North Cascades National Park:
- Newhalem Creek Campground
- Colonial Creek North Campground
- Colonial Creek South Campground
- Goodell Creek Campground
- Gorge Lake Campground
- Diablo Lake
Campground Fees: $20-$24/night
*Reservations are required for most campgrounds from late May to early September via recreation.gov
Travel Tip: Colonial Creek North Campground is one of the larger, front-country campsites in the heart of the North Cascades, with over 142 campsites. Reservations can be made up to 6 months or 7 days in advance
Backcountry & Boat-in Camping
Backcountry camping is almost infinite in North Cascades National Park. Cascade Pass and Thunder Creek areas are great options for beginners. All overnight stays require a backcountry permit.
Boat-in camping is an even more adventurous option for exploring North Cascades National Park!
Outside the National Park
Winthrop (East of the park — about 1 hour):
❓Asking yourself, what is glamping? Read our post here!
Marblemount (West of the park):
- North Cascades Inn
- Find more stays on Vrbo
Before exploring North Cascades National Park, we stopped at a winery (about 20 minutes out), which had cabin rentals and an RV Park! Check out Glacier Peak Resort in Rockport, Washington, for good wine, mountain views, and a cozy place to stay!
*We rented a campervan to explore Washington and spent 3 nights dispersed camping for free.
Regardless of the accommodations you choose, there is no shortage of stunning views or immersive nature experiences. Make reservations in advance if you are traveling to Washington during peak seasons!
Hiking in North Cascades National Park
With over 400 miles of hiking trails, hiking is a top activity for exploring North Cascades National Park. Whether you’re looking for a short day hike or a multi-day backpacking experience. Glacier-capped mountains sprawl in every direction, and even more breathtaking views await deeper into the North Cascades hiking trails.
Best Hikes and Trails in North Cascades National Park
Maple Pass Loop
AllTrails Map
- Length: 7.2 miles
- Difficulty: moderate/difficult
- Type: loop
- Highlights: one of the most scenic hikes in the state with views of Lake Ann (and our personal favorite!)
- Tip: hike counter-clockwise, you’ll thank us later!
- Dogs allowed on leash
Rainy Lake
AllTrails Map
- Length: 2 miles
- Difficulty: easy
- Type: out and back
- Highlights: flat walk on a paved trail to reach the lake
- Tip: tie this in with Maple Pass Loop
- Dogs allowed on leash
*Note — both Maple Pass Loop & Rainy Lake are technically not IN North Cascades National Park, but they border the park close enough to be considered on this list. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day), or you can use your America The Beautiful Pass.
Cascades Pass Trail and Sahale Arm Trail
AllTrails Map
- Length: 12 miles
- Difficulty: hard
- Type: out and back
- Highlights: stunning mountain and glacier views with backcountry camping (permit required for overnight camping)
- We did not get to do this hike, but it was recommended by a friend as the best day hike in North Cascades National Park!
- Dogs not allowed
Thunder Knob Trail
AllTrails Map
- Length: 3.6 miles
- Difficulty: easy/moderate
- Type: out and back
- Highlights: less crowded views of the iconic Diablo Lake
- Dogs allowed on leash
Blue Lake Trail
AllTrails Map
- Length: 4.6 miles
- Difficulty: easy/moderate
- Type: out and back
- Highlights: Leads you to a clear blue alpine lake surrounded by towering mountains
- Dogs allowed on leash
Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk
Alltrails Map
- Length: .7 miles
- Difficulty: easy
- Type: out and back
- Highlights: a flat stroll through cedars along the Skagit River and a wooden bridge
- Dogs allowed on leash
*Always remember to check trail conditions and weather forecasts for your safety and to make the best of your experience!
Although there is no entrance fee to enter the park, if you plan to hike in one of the bordering national forests (such as Rainy Lake or the Maple Pass Loop) you will need a Northwest Forest Pass. This can be purchased for $5 at the trailhead. OR you can use your America the Beautiful Pass.
Must-See Scenic Stops on Highway 20 in Washington
Make the most of your road trip with these easy, must-see pull-offs:
- Diablo Lake Vista Point
- Ross Lake Overlook
- Ross Dam Trailhead
- Rainy Pass
- Gorge Creek Falls
- Gorge Lake Overlook — a quarter mile roundtrip for a view of the Skagit Gorge & Gorge Dam, half a mile if you continue along the dirt trail for more views
Travel Tip: Located just east outside the park on Highway 20, visit Washington Pass Overlook for a view of Liberty Bell Mountain and the best place for sunrise or sunset photos
Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park
July through August is when the weather is warm and the snow has melted, allowing more access to visitors. Wildflowers are also in bloom, putting on quite a show of beautiful scenery. These perks make summer the best time of year to visit Washington state and ideal for exploring North Cascades National Park.
We explored Washington in mid-September when the foliage turns vibrant shades of red and orange, amazing for photography. The weather was crisp yet mild, and we practically had the trails to ourselves! So, if you ask us the best time to visit Washington state for hiking, fall would take the cake!
Travel Tip: The weather can be unpredictable, so keep that in mind when exploring North Cascades National Park. Snow can occur at higher elevations year-round, and just because your day starts out sunny doesn’t mean that you won’t get some rain later on. We put our raincoats to good use and make sure you have waterproof hiking boots too!
Packing List for Exploring North Cascades National Park
- Reusable water bottle or hydration pack
- Daypack
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip
- Merino wool socks
- Hat/beanie
- Water-resistant pants
- Top layers
- Insulated jacket
- Rain jacket
- Sweat-resistant layers
- Bear spray
- First aid kit
- Headlamp
- Snacks
- America The Beautiful Pass
- Northwest Forest Pass (for trails outside the park)
🥾 Check out our post 10 Hiking Essentials and Your Complete Day Hike Checklist for more recommendations
Essential Tips for Exploring North Cascades National Park
- Plan ahead to make the most of your trip exploring North Cascades National Park
- Gas up at the last station in Marblemount
- Check for road closures that might affect your travel
- Weather-ready and Prepare for all conditions—even snow in summer at high elevations
- Prepare with proper safety knowledge — the park’s remote location means that services can be limited. We recommend packing a satellite GPS
- Pack enough food and water for your stay. There are no facilities inside the park
- Be bear aware — carry bear spray, and make noise along the trails. And if you’re camping, store all food in a bear canister
- Leave No Trace: Respect nature, stay on trails, and pack out all trash
Final Thoughts
Get ready to fall in love with the wild heart of Washington. With a short driving distance from Seattle, it blows our minds that this is one of the least visited national parks in the U.S.! Although Highway 20 in Washington gives you stunning views, the main attraction when exploring North Cascades is found on its trails. Whether you hike, camp, paddle, or soak up the views, this park is an unforgettable experience.
When you’re ready to discover the most underrated National Park in the U.S., download our 3-day itinerary for exploring North Cascades National Park!
Don’t forget to save this post before you begin exploring North Cascades National Park!
👀 If you’re looking for more underrated outdoor adventures, check out my blog post for 7 Reasons to Visit Kanab, Utah!
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