North Cascades National Park
This page also covers Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and Ross Lake National Recreation Area, which the Park Service counts as separate units.
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.
Alerts
- ClosureCascade River Road Closure Starting October 13
Cascade River Road is closed to vehicles at milepost 20 (Eldorado) three miles before the trailhead beginning October 13 for road maintenance. Foot and bicycle traffic is permitted beyond the gate. Do not block gate.
- ClosureNPS ↗Hozomeen Gate Remains Closed
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.
- ClosureNPS ↗Fire Closures - Trail, Area, and Camp Closures
For closures due to fire activity visit the Fire Closures page, including trail, area, and camp closures for current and post fire conditions.
- CautionNPS ↗Stehekin Flash Flood and Debris Flow Area
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
- CautionNPS ↗Diablo Lake Boat Launch Inaccessible to Powerboats
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.
- CautionBe Aware of Break-ins along State Route 20
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.
- InformationNPS ↗Stehekin is Open, Services Limited at Stehekin Landing
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.
Fire nearby
- WildfireLuna
8 mi from the park's reference point · 8,553 acres · 42% contained
- WildfireBorder 2
21 mi from the park's reference point · 9,108 acres · 74% contained
- WildfirePtarmigan
31 mi from the park's reference point · 25,566 acres · 90% contained
- WildfireSisi
31 mi from the park's reference point · 4,615 acres · 34% contained
Within 50 miles, as of 2026-10-14. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Check the park's alerts and the managing office before you drive.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Hours
| North Cascades National Park Service Complex | Daily · All Day |
When to go
July draws the most visits here and December the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Newhalem Creek Campground | 108 sites | |
| $24 a night · Newhalem Creek Campground is open seasonally, usually from late May to mid-September. | ||
| Goodell Creek Campground | 19 sites | |
| $20 a night · Goodell Creek Campground is open year-round with vault toilets. Potable water and garbage service are available from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September… | ||
| Lower Goodell Group Campground | 2 sites | |
| $75 a night · Lower Goodell Creek Group Campground is open seasonally, usually from late May to mid-September. | ||
| Gorge Lake Campground | 8 sites | |
| $20 a night · Gorge Lake Campground is open year-round. Reservations are accepted from late May to mid-September. No water or trash service is available in the winter. · 8 reservable | ||
| Colonial Creek North Campground | 40 sites | |
| $24 a night · Colonial Creek North Campground is open seasonally, usually late May to mid-September. | ||
Show all 10 campgroundsHide
| Colonial Creek South Campground | 94 sites | |
| $24 a night · Most of the campground is open seasonally with reservations, usually late May to mid-September. | ||
| Lakeview Campground | 9 sites | |
| Lakeview Campground is open year-round with vault toilets. Potable water and garbage service are available from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September but… · 9 first-come | ||
| Purple Point Campground ↗ | 6 sites | |
| Purple Point Campground is open year-round with vault toilets. Potable water and garbage service are available from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September… · 6 first-come | ||
| Harlequin Campground | 8 sites | |
| $20 a night · Harlequin is open year-round with vault toilets. Garbage service is available from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September but not during the rest of the… | ||
| Hozomeen Campground | 75 sites | |
| 75 first-come | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Forest Info Center with HQ Administration Building ↗Passport stamp
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 Cascades National Park Service Complex boundary.
- Wilderness Information Center ↗Passport stamp
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 Areas.
- Golden West Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
Visitor Center located short walk from the passenger ferry landing at Stehekin Landing inside what was the historic Golden West Lodge.
- North Cascades Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
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 Campground.
Explore
Things to do
- Day Hiking in North Cascades
Hike the North Cascades to experience some of the finest mountain country in North America.
Opens on the Park Service site - Plan a Backcountry Trip2-14 Days
Backcountry camping in the North Cascades can be an exciting adventure for prepared hikers.
Opens on the Park Service site - Fishing in the North Cascades
Fishing is popular in many lakes and rivers of the North Cascades.
Opens on the Park Service site - Paddling in the North Cascades
Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular on the lakes of the North Cascades.
Opens on the Park Service site - Motorboating in the North Cascades
Motorboating is a popular activity on Gorge, Diablo, and Ross lakes, and Lake Chelan.
Opens on the Park Service site - Rafting in the North Cascades
The Skagit and Stehekin rivers attract many whitewater enthusiasts for rafting and kayaking, especially during the summer months.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
News
- Prescribed Burn Planned at North Cascades National Park Service Complex to Improve Habitat and Reduce Wildfire Risk ↗2026-10-09
The National Park Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service are preparing for prescribed pile burns in Ross Lake and Lake Chelan national recreation areas throughout October and November, conditions and staffing…
- August 20 North Cascades Fires Update ↗2026-08-20
Fire activity has been minimal over the past few days on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 7,296 acres in the United States, 43% contained) due to cooler temperatures, cloud cover, and a heavy smoke inversion.
- August 17 North Cascades Fires Update ↗2026-08-17
Fire activity and growth was minimal over the weekend on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 14,604 acres total; 6,680 acres in the United States, 31% contained) due to cooler temperatures, cloud cover, and a heavy smoke…
- August 14 North Cascades Fires Update ↗2026-08-14
Fire activity was minimal yesterday on the Border 2 Fire (estimated 14,336 acres total; 6,556 acres in the United States) due to an inversion with cloud cover with slight rain and hail.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Devil's Corner Cliff WalkSite · Newhalem · 1.6 mi
- Sourdough Mountain LookoutBuilding · Diablo · 4.9 mi
- Beaver Pass ShelterBuilding · Diablo · 11.2 mi
- Swamp–Meadow Cabin EastBuilding · Diablo · 12.6 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Forest Service trails nearby
These trails are outside the park on National Forest land, within 15 miles of North Cascades. Each one opens on Trailhead Atlas.
Distance is measured from the park's reference point to the nearer end of the trail.
Guidebooks for North Cascades National Park and the Pacific Northwest
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthMountain Goat 2× · American Pika 2× · Pacific Marten 2× · American Black Bear 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 225 birds, 70 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican kestrel · Cooper's hawk · Merlin · Swainson's hawk · bald eagle · barred owl · boreal owl · ferruginous hawk · golden eagle · great horned owl · northern harrier · northern saw-whet owl · northern spotted owl · osprey · peregrine falcon · prairie falcon · pygmy owl · red-tailed hawk · rough-legged hawk · sharp-shinned hawk · short-eared owl · turkey vulture · western screech owl
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican bittern · American coot · Barrow's goldeneye · Canada goose · Clark's grebe · Eurasian teal · Pacific Loon · Virginia rail · blue-winged teal · bufflehead · cackling goose · cinnamon teal · common goldeneye · common loon · common merganser · eared grebe · great blue heron · greater scaup · greater white-fronted goose · green heron · harlequin duck · hooded merganser · horned grebe · lesser scaup · long-tailed duck · northern pintail · pied-billed grebe · red-breasted merganser · red-necked grebe · ring-necked duck · ruddy duck · sandhill crane · trumpeter swan · tundra swan · western grebe · white pelican · wood duck
Shorebirds & seabirdsBonaparte's gull · California gull · Caspian tern · Pomarine jaeger · Wilson's Phalarope · Wilson's snipe · common tern · glaucous-winged gull · greater yellowlegs · killdeer · lesser yellowlegs · pectoral sandpiper · red-necked phalarope · ring-billed gull · short-billed gull · solitary sandpiper · spotted sandpiper
Gamebirds & dovesCalifornia quail · Eurasian collared dove · band-tailed pigeon · mourning dove · rock pigeon · ruffed grouse · sooty grouse · spruce grouse · white-tailed ptarmigan
WoodpeckersLewis' woodpecker · Williamson's sapsucker · black-backed woodpecker · downy woodpecker · hairy woodpecker · northern flicker · pileated woodpecker · red-breasted sapsucker · red-naped sapsucker · western American three-toed woodpecker · white-headed woodpecker
Hummingbirds & swiftsAnna's hummingbird · Vaux's swift · black swift · calliope hummingbird · rufous hummingbird
Also on the checklistAmerican crow · American dipper · American goldfinch · American pipit · American redstart · American robin · American tree sparrow · American widgeon · Audubon's warbler · Bewick's wren · Bohemian waxwing · Brewer's blackbird · Bullock's oriole · Cassin's finch · Cassin's vireo · Clark's nutcracker · European house sparrow · European starling · Hammond's flycatcher · Hutton's Vireo · Lapland longspur · Lincoln's sparrow · MacGillivray's warbler · Nashville warbler · Pacific wren · Say's phoebe · Steller's jay · Swainson's thrush · Townsend's solitaire · Townsend's warbler · Wilson's warbler · bank swallow · barn swallow · belted kingfisher · black-billed magpie · black-capped chickadee · black-headed grosbeak · black-throated gray warbler · bobolink · boreal chickadee · brambling · brown creeper · brown-headed cowbird · bushtit · canvasback · canyon wren · cedar waxwing · chestnut-backed chickadee · chipping sparrow · clay-colored sparrow · cliff swallow · common nighthawk · common raven · common redpoll · common yellowthroat · dark-eyed junco · dusky flycatcher · eastern kingbird · evening grosbeak · fox sparrow · gadwall · golden-crowned kinglet · golden-crowned sparrow · gray catbird · gray jay · gray-crowned rosy finch · great-tailed grackle · hermit thrush · hermit warbler · horned lark · house finch · house wren · indigo bunting · lazuli bunting · least flycatcher · mallard · marbled murrelet · marsh wren · mountain bluebird · mountain chickadee · northern goshawk · northern mockingbird · northern rough-winged swallow · northern shoveler · northern shrike · northern waterthrush · northern yellow warbler · olive-sided flycatcher · orange-crowned warbler · ovenbird · pine grosbeak · pine siskin · purple finch · red crossbill · red-breasted nuthatch · red-eyed vireo · red-winged blackbird · redhead · rock wren · rose-breasted grosbeak · ruby-crowned kinglet · savannah sparrow · song sparrow · sora · spotted towhee · tree swallow · varied thrush · veery · vesper sparrow · violet-green swallow · warbling vireo · western bluebird · western flycatcher · western kingbird · western meadowlark · western tanager · western wood-pewee · white-breasted nuthatch · white-crowned sparrow · white-winged crossbill · white-winged scoter · willow flycatcher · yellow-headed blackbird
Small mammalsAmerican pika · Cascade golden-mantled ground squirrel · Columbian ground squirrel · Douglas squirrel · Keen's mouse · North American beaver · North American water vole · Pacific jumping mouse · Pacific water shrew · Townsend's chipmunk · Trowbridge's shrew · bushy-tailed woodrat · coast mole · creeping vole · deermouse · dusky shrew · golden mantled ground squirrel · hoary marmot · least chipmunk · long-tailed vole · masked shrew · mountain beaver · muskrat · northern bog-lemming · northern flying squirrel · northern pocket gopher · porcupine · red squirrel · shrew-mole · snowshoe hare · southern red-backed vole · vagrant shrew · water shrew · western gray squirrel · western heather vole · western jumping mouse · yellow-pine chipmunk
PredatorsAmerican black bear · American mink · Canada lynx · North American river otter · bobcat · coyote · ermine · fisher · gray wolf · grizzly bear · long-tailed weasel · pine marten · raccoon · red fox · striped skunk · western spotted skunk · wolverine
Hoofed mammalsbighorn sheep · black-tailed deer · elk · moose · mountain goat
BatsCalifornia myotis · Townsend's big-eared bat · Yuma myotis · big brown bat · hoary bat · little brown myotis · long-legged myotis · silver-haired bat · western long-eared bat · western small-footed bat
Also on the checklistcougar
Activities
Activity guides for this park Camping in the national parks · Canoeing and kayaking in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Horseback riding in the national parks · Rock climbing in the national parks
Weather & climate
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.
Questions people ask
Does North Cascades charge an entrance fee?
No. North Cascades is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
Is North Cascades open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in North Cascades?
Yes. The Park Service lists 10 campgrounds in North Cascades: Newhalem Creek, Goodell Creek, Lower Goodell Group, Gorge Lake, and Colonial Creek North, and more. 7 take reservations through Recreation.gov.
Which North Cascades campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Dump station: Newhalem Creek and Colonial Creek South.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at North Cascades right now?
7 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Cascade River Road Closure Starting October 13; Stehekin is Open, Services Limited at Stehekin Landing; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is North Cascades?
46,925 recreation visits in 2025, number 269 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at North Cascades?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE. No reported coverage for T-Mobile. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
When was North Cascades established?
1968. It covers about 789 square miles.
Source: Wikipedia
What is the weather like 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.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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