North Cascades National Park

About North Cascades

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.

From the National Park Service.

Entrance fees

This park has no entrance fee.

Reservations

NPS lists no entry reservation for this park as of October 26, 2026. Campgrounds and tours may still need booking.

Weather and seasons

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.

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.

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.

Campgrounds

• Colonial Creek North CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Colonial Creek South CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Goodell Creek CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Gorge Lake CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Harlequin CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Hozomeen CampgroundFirst come, first served
• Lakeview CampgroundFirst come, first served
• Lower Goodell Group CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Newhalem Creek CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
• Purple Point CampgroundFirst come, first served

Visitor centers

• Forest Info Center with HQ Administration Building
• Golden West Visitor Center
• North Cascades Visitor Center
• Wilderness Information Center

Alerts

• Caution: Delays on Cascade River Road Starting October 13
• Information: Stehekin is Open, Services Limited at Stehekin Landing
• Caution: Stehekin Flash Flood and Debris Flow Area
• Park Closure: Hozomeen Gate Remains Closed
• Park Closure: Fire Closures - Trail, Area, and Camp Closures
• Caution: Diablo Lake Boat Launch Inaccessible to Powerboats
• Caution: Be Aware of Break-ins along State Route 20

As of October 26, 2026. Current alerts on nps.gov

Sources

North Cascades National Park fees on nps.gov. Prices, park information and photos from the NPS Data API, checked October 26, 2026. Photos credited to the National Park Service.