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. — nps.gov
North Cascades National Park at a glance
- State
- Washington
- Established
- October 2, 1968
- Size
- 504,781 acres
- 2025 visits
- 46,925
- Busiest-park rank
- #57 of 63
- Entrance
- Free entry
Best time to visit
When is North Cascades quiet?
North Cascades is busiest in July and quietest in December. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, September is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 46,925 recreation visits, the #57 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is North Cascades open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: DecemberBusiest: July
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit North Cascades
North Cascades National Park charges no entrance fee.
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for North Cascades National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in North Cascades
- Plan a Backcountry Trip2-14 Days · All year
Backcountry camping in the North Cascades can be an exciting adventure for prepared hikers.
Pets OK - Day Hiking in North CascadesSpring, Summer, Fall
Hike the North Cascades to experience some of the finest mountain country in North America.
Pets OK - Fishing in the North CascadesAll year
Fishing is popular in many lakes and rivers of the North Cascades.
FeePets OK - Motorboating in the North CascadesSpring, Summer, Fall
Motorboating is a popular activity on Gorge, Diablo, and Ross lakes, and Lake Chelan.
Pets OK - Paddling in the North CascadesAll year
Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular on the lakes of the North Cascades.
Pets OK The Skagit and Stehekin rivers attract many whitewater enthusiasts for rafting and kayaking, especially during the summer months.
Pets OK
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Auto and ATV33
- Backcountry Camping51
- Biking44
- Boat Tour16
- Boating27
- Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour8
- Camping60
- Canoe or Kayak Camping20
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Citizen Science17
- Climbing26
- Fishing41
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Group Camping33
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)21
- Horse Trekking32
- Horseback Riding25
- Motorized Boating11
- Paddling32
- Road Biking25
- Rock Climbing15
- RV Camping28
- Scenic Driving30
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at North Cascades
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 and wind.
The east side of the Cascade Mountains (Lake Chelan National Recreation Area) is drier and warmer in the summer than the west side. Summer temperatures at Stehekin reach the 90's F.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to North Cascades
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.
810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA, 98284 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near North Cascades
- Olympic National Park129 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Mount Rainier National Park130 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Glacier National Park338 mi~8 h drive (est.)
- Crater Lake National Park401 mi~10 h drive (est.)
- Redwood National and State Parks525 mi~12 h drive (est.)
- Lassen Volcanic National Park568 mi~13 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Seattle (92 mi) · Portland, Oregon (230 mi)
Road trip
Mount Rainier, Olympic & North Cascades
3 parks, about 242 miles between them (~6 h of driving, estimated).
North Cascades is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of North Cascades National Park
FAQ
North Cascades, quickly
- When is the best time to visit North Cascades National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in September, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and December the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit North Cascades National Park?
- North Cascades National Park has no entrance fee, according to the National Park Service. Some tours, campgrounds or permits may still cost money.
- Do you need a reservation for North Cascades National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for North Cascades National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in North Cascades National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 6 things to do in North Cascades National Park, including Plan a Backcountry Trip, Day Hiking in North Cascades, Fishing in the North Cascades, Motorboating in the North Cascades, Paddling in the North Cascades. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did North Cascades National Park become a national park?
- North Cascades National Park was established as a national park on October 2, 1968.
- What is the closest national park to North Cascades?
- Olympic National Park, about 129 miles away in a straight line (roughly 3 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.North Cascades National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.North Cascades National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/noca.
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