In the spring, the park often needs time to recover from the winter as snow melts. To get off the beaten path, heading up is always the way to find the best views with few crowds. Rainbow Loop: 4.4 to 6.8 miles, moderate. However, if you only have a day, North Cascades National Park is perfect for road trippers visiting all of the national parks in Washington (Olympic and Mount Rainier are also well worth the visit). Popular trails may be crowded on many summer and fall weekends, but you can always find secluded areas if you search. If you want to stay in the national park along Highway 20, Ross Lake Resort is the only lodge in this area of the park. For a view over Ross Lake, make the quick stop at the Ross Lake Overlook. Located at the North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem, this 300-foot boardwalk trail takes you to a viewpoint of the Picket Range. As a result, several thousand different plants, animals, and fungi call the North Cascades National Park home. When you plan your trip, consider lodgings such as Sun Mountain Lodge, Rivers Edge Resort, and Airbnbs. For a longer river hike in Stehekin, try the Stehekin River Trail, or for more elevation gain and more spectacular views, hike the 15 round trip up to Purple Pass. . The summer is short in the North Cascades, which is one reason why it's one of the least-visited parks in the country. guests discover new landscapes, ecosystems, knowledge and ways to Wild, rugged, remoteNorth Cascades National Park is highly underrated park, especially for hikers and backpackers. Heading up Thursday for a few days. Wildflowers might be gone, but the ground foliage is resplendent is the fall. The Hoh rainforest. Rent either an entire house or cabin or a room at the lodge, where you can gaze out at the beautiful Lake Chelan and the mountains of the North Cascades. If you stay at a lodge instead of camping, the overall price can also be higher. *All of my unigrid brochures are new and unused unless otherwise stated. The park is full of plenty of great places to camp, and there are several more nearby. It is just a short drive from Seattle, Washington but North Cascades only gets a handful of the visitors that flock to nearby Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. For more information or specific questions, email the park complex. However, you will need to access them by trail or boat. The expense of these items does not change significantly over the year. Then the trail climbs steeply up to a ridgeline. Maple Pass Loop: 7.2 miles, moderate to difficult. The necessary clothing for the North Cascades National Park will depend on your activities and the time of year you visit. How Much Time Do You Need in North Cascades National Park? The least busy time to visit the North Cascades National Park is the winter since visiting in the winter is not always safe. Late spring can be a good time to visit the North Cascades, but Highway 20 does not typically open until April or May, so be aware that much of the area will still be in winter mode. If you want a beautiful adventure deep in nature, take a visit to North Cascades National Park. But to experience these sights, youll have to get out of the car. View New Trips. Ladder Creek Falls: 0.4 miles, easy. Entrance Fee: There is no fee to enter North Cascades National Park. You can check out Ranger Programs for interpretive programs, ranger-led walks and talks, to find program and events that occur during your visit, or check locally at visitor centers. Number of sites: 19 sites. Here are some common questions about visiting the North Cascades National Park: The ideal length of time will vary based on what activities you want to do and your comfort level with outdoor activities. You only have two options for places to stay in North Cascades National Park other than at a campsite. Just a short walk from the Trail of the Cedars, also located in Newhalem, is Ladder Creek Falls. There is not a particularly cheap or expensive time to visit the North Cascades. It includes eight distinct life zones thanks to its variety of elevation and fire ecology. National Park Hiking Tours; Unforgettable Experiences. Keep in mind the trail called Easy Pass Trail is actually pretty tough. Olympic National Park is located in the far northwestern corner of Washington state on the Olympic Peninsula. Check out our Ross Lake and Desolation Peak trip for an accessible peak that would be perfect for a first summit. While persistent snow is not always common, it can happen sometimes. If you want to visit Stehekin, you will need a minimum of two days, since travel times can be long between Chelan and Stehekin. It also travels through the Okanogan National Forest, near Rainy Lake. You do not need a park pass to visit; however, some areas near Lake Ross require a $5 parking fee (which is covered by the national park pass if you have it). Thornton Lake: 10.4 miles, strenuous. The Best Months to Visit the North Cascades are August and September. On day 2, you can hike more of the trails along North Cascades Highway or hike to Cascade Pass and/or Sahale Arm. If you click the star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. Look out for gray wolves, wolverines, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and salmon. Camping and hiking novices may get a lot out of a simple one or two-day experience. : This 10 mile round trip trail leads you to a lake surrounded by rocky peaks. This town is made up of a handful of hotels and restaurants. Get the monthly weather forecast for North Cascades National Park, WA, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. Since the park is isolated and filled with very few artificial structures, it is a great place to escape the rigors of everyday life. Glaciers drape over their slopes, cracking around the terrain to expose deep icy-blue crevasses. It rarely gets too hot, and it's always about 10 degrees cooler on the coast than the forecast for Seattle. Stehekin is a town cut off from the world, accessible only by boat, plane, or foot. Suggestion by Hannah from That Adventurer Blog. The reason behind this reduced interest is a result of the rougher weather during the shoulder seasons. Stehekin is a small community located on the far northern end of Lake Chelan. During the summer, you can enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and camping. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Still and all, a lovely time to visit with the Larch turning golden along with the sunlight. OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK: Take your pick from 17 awesome hikes in Olympic National Park. Rainy Lake: 2 miles, easy. North Cascades National Park Travel time from Seattle: 2.5 hours National park since: 1968 Area: 504,781 acres Major peaks: Mount Baker and the Cascade Mountains Visit for: Ample wildlife, hiking trails, and alpine lakes For more: nps.gov/noca * Visit Seattle partner Lake Chelan is in the southeast part of the North Cascades National Park Complex. North Cascades National Park Travel Guide. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. (Photo by Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty . Enjoy views of the surrounding mountains as you hike to a peaceful (blue) lake. Overnight camping or parking is only allowed in designated campgrounds or campsites. 13 miles (21 km) east of Marblemount, 74 miles (119 km) west of Winthrop. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. - September 8th, 2022 Several fires in North Cascades National Park in Washington state have led to some backcountry camp closures. To. Thunder Knob Trail - 3.6 mile roundtrip with a 425 foot elevation gain. This is a seasonal/temporary, full-time, non-exempt position from May 8 to September 30, 2023. One of the best parts about this park is how underrated it is! Top 25 National Parks Where You're Most Likely to Die North Cascades National Park - Washington (652.35 deaths per 10 million visitors) Denali National Park - Alaska (100.50) Upper. 4025 East Huntington, Suite 150 From April to September, daytime temperatures . Tucked away in North Cascades National Park, the Ross Lake Resort was built in 1950. The park surrounds Highway 20, which travels between Sedro Wooley on the west side of the mountains and Mazama and the Methow Valley on the east side. Blue Lake Trail 42 Hiking Trails By camox These steep and rocky mountains tower above the surrounding area. Required fields are marked *. Explore the North Cascades right from your office! Waterproofed items are essential to survival in cold temperatures. Cutthroat Lake is another lovely lake. If you have any questions about things to do in North Cascades National Park, let us know in the comment section below. But, if you have the experience and gear to head out on your own, here are some ideas for backpacking trips in the North Cascades. It covers nearly 1 million acres of land and is home to miles of ocean coastline, a temperate rainforest, and the Olympic Mountain range. Definitely stop into Sherris Sweet Shop for some ice creamthe perfect treat after a day of hiking. Located on Ross Lake, Desolation Peak offers sweeping views over the park. see this spectacular park, you need to get off the highway. If you know anything about the Pacific Northwest and the Cascades, you may imagine big snowy volcanoes, which there are plenty of in the area. We just came back from our Washington trip. Desolation Peak - 9.4 miles 4400 foot gain (where Jack Kerouac stayed for 63 days at the fire lookout) Cutthroat Lake Trail - 3 mile roundtrip with a 410 foot elevation gain. There are generally around 11 rainy days. So, Whats the Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park? Class three scrambling and route finding experience are necessary as there is no marked path to the summit. Colonial Creek South Campground in North Cascades National Park is a remote, yet bustling campground nestled in old growth forest. And then we tried to go in September, and there were forest fires. Learn about the different camping options within the park complex. There are ways to camp inside the park. North Cascades National Park. Forks, Sol Duc falls, Hurricane Ridge. Find information on boating in the park complex. I recommend this trip if you want to immerse yourself in the area and have a few days to spend in the backcountry. 2022-10-27. Entering the park does not require an entry fee. The months with the lowest average high temperature are January and December (30F). There are also a few boat-in campsites in and near the park, especially at Diablo lake. Fall is also a spectacular time to visit, especially along the cascade crest and eastern side of the park, where you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of larches (also known as tamaracks) in full golden glory. Three to five days is an ideal amount of time that allows experienced campers the ability to see a large chunk of the cascades and engage in many activities. Visitors enjoy a large amount of biodiversity and beautiful waterways. Your email address will not be published. The best overall time to visit is in the summer, between June and September. It's a dreamy setting of vibrant blue lakes, stark white snow on rocky peaks, flowering meadows, lush greenery and wooded slopes. The most popular time to visit North Cascades National Park is July through September, when the snow has melted from the trails and the sun shines high in the sky. Listed below are 12 great hikes to do in North Cascades National Park. Go for a Scenic Drive on North Cascades Highway, 9. Six drive-in campgrounds are available throughout the park, with fees ranging from free to $16, depending on the campground. It travels east-west along the Skagit River. Drive north on I-5 from Seattle towards . This hike is 9 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,500 feet. This gorgeous area in northern Washington state is 500,000 acres of rivers, mountains, lakes, and recreation areas. Operating Hours: The park is open 365 days a year, but operating hours of the visitor centers vary depending on the season. WA The park has 300 glaciers, jagged peaks, and forested valleys that showcase the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. All meals are prepared by your guide and we provide nearly all the gear. Even though outdoor activities are most popular in the North Cascades, consider adding a scenic drive to your trip can be fun. We only had one full day here and unfortunately, storms moved in, so we could not do any hiking. Each year, Olympic sees over 3 million visitors while Mount Rainer sees about 2.25 million. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-61002313', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Ross Lake Recreation Area. For beautiful views over Diablo Lake, hike to the top of Thunder Knob. There are also many options for lodging outside of North Cascades National Park. From the Washington Pass Overlook, you have an outstanding view of Highway 20 and Liberty Bell Mountain. Over millions of years, these glaciers created some of the steepest mountain ranges in the USA, some mountains rising 4,000 to 6,000 feet above their bases. Plus, this park is underrated, making it an ideal choice if you want solitude. Upon your arrival at North Cascades National Park, it will take very little time to discover why so many people love the park. Add on a morning scramble of Trappers peak, and you have a classic North Cascades backpacking trip. HIKES IN THE NORTH CASCADES: We cover the top hiking trails in our North Cascades Hiking Guide. If you dont have a watercraft, Ross Lake Resort rents kayaks, canoes, motorboats, and other equipment, making the perfect daytime activity for families or anyone wanting to spend time on the water. This trail makes for a great overnight trip as well. If you want to camp in the campground, you can use one of the options near the park. From the highest points along the trail, you will have spectacular views of the national park. Learn how to stay safe while enjoying the park complex. To save money on your visit, the key is thorough planning. . It is not overly difficult and from the trail, you get to see wonderful views of Stehekin Valley, Lake Chelan, Rainbow Creek, wildflowers, and the surrounding mountains. Some would describe it as moderately chilly humid but cool. The area along Highway 20 and around Ross Lake is called the Ross Lake National Recreational Area. In 2021, it only had 18,000 visitors, making it the 4th least visited national park in the United States. There are countless day hikes in North Cascades National Park. Those from lower altitude areas may get tired faster. Note: Highway 20 is usually closed between November and April due to snowfall. Backpacking is an exceptional way to enjoy the world's amazing national parks, wilderness areas and remote landscapes! However, the mountains are not accessible for most visitors since the risk of avalanches is often high. When visiting the park and enjoying the opportunities it offers, it is essential to do your part to protect the environment. We also havedetailed trail guides for Mt. There are also mudslides that close . If you only saw the North Cascades from the viewpoints along Highway 20, you would be missing out on a lot. pay for content, product research, guides, and more). Rent either an entire house or cabin or a room at the lodge, where you can gaze out at the beautiful Lake Chelan and the mountains of the North Cascades. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Check in advance to see if there are fire restrictions in the park. Baker region. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth's changing climate. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The average temperature in North Cascades National Park in September for a typical day ranges from a high of 63F (17C) and a low of 43F (6C). Julie Last updated: November 7, 2022 United States 25 Comments. From the east, the highway intersects with US 97 at Okanogan and with SR 153 at Twisp. ). Bear in mind that the lands accessible directly adjacent to highway 20 are not in the North Cascades National Park, rather are the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Grand Canyon National Park; From North Cascades National Park, we drove north to the Mount Baker area. Though summer is spectacular here, I highly recommend autumn in the North Cascades. I love September in the mountains. North Cascades National Park 60 Mountains National Parks By 273triciaa Diablo lake is an amazing blue and the air is crisp and clean as you hike this area.so beautiful ! Even though technical rock climbing skills are not required, loose rock abounds on this summit, so wear a helmet! During the operational season (mid-May to early September), a ll sites in campgrounds along State Route 20 and in Stehekin can be reserved in advance. However, if you only have a day, North Cascades National Park is perfect for road trippers visiting all of the national parks in Washington (, Camping is the perfect way to explore this beautiful national park. As a National Park, the main activities you can do here include hiking, canoeing, camping, backpacking, and swimming. . This area is quite remote. With two days in North Cascades National Park, do what I list above on day 1. Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk: 0.3 miles, flat, easy. Jack Kerouac made this peak famous. However, this option is accessible only by a ferry ride from Chelan or a 23-mile hike from Highway 20 and a shuttle bus from High Bridge. You can also find options for camping in the National Forest surrounding North Cascades National Park, from established campgrounds to dispersed camping. Access to North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is from the State Route 20 corridor. However, the trails are where North Cascade National Park really shines. Winter & Spring in North Cascades The snow banks were still 3 feet tall in May! Learn more here. This very short trail (.25 miles) takes you to a cascading waterfall. 810 State Route 20 Check out our. The study area fell within North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and the western Pasayten Wilderness (Okanogan National Forest). Just hiking Cascade Pass on its own is about 8 miles but still worth it if you dont have time for the add-on to Sahale arm. Yes there were lots of wild flowers. It lasts until mid- to late April and necessitates the regular closure of Wash. State Rte. Travellers Worldwide is reader-supported. 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