The North Cascades mountain range is often called The American Alps. It is a stunning line of snow-capped peaks with brightly colored alpine lakes and dramatic wooded slopes running along the US/ Canadian border.
The national park is the least visited of Washingtonās three national parks, but donāt let that make you decide not to visit. Itās stunning!
Table of Contents
North Cascades National Park at a Glance
ā State: Washington
ā Main attractions: Mountains, lakes
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North Cascades National Park Travel Guide
Planning a trip to North Cascades National Park can be tricky ā but it doesnāt have to be. Navigate this North Cascades National Park guide by clicking on the articles below to read in-depth information about each aspect of North Cascades National Park.
How to Plan a Trip to North Cascades National Park
This guide will help you with what youĀ should AVOIDĀ doingĀ when you plan a trip to North Cascades National Park.
Read More: 7 MISTAKES TO AVOID IN NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
Here are my top travel tips for North Cascades National Park
Read More: 10 TIPS FOR VISITING NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
Entrance Fee for North Cascades National ParkĀ
There is no entrance fee for the park. Itās one of only 16 National Parks that is free to enter.
However, if you want to go to Stehekin, youāll need to pay for a boat or plane, as there are no roads.
North Cascades National Park Visitor Center
There are several Visitor Centers.
ā¹ļø North Cascades Visitor Center is in Newhalem and is generally open late May to late September.
ā¹ļø Forest Information Center with HQ Administration Building is in Sedro-Woolley.
ā¹ļø Wilderness Information Center is in Marblemount is usually open May to September.
ā¹ļø Golden West Visitor Center is in Stehekin and is usually open May to September.
ā¹ļø Skagit InformationĀ Center is in Newhalem and is generally open late May to late September.
Best Tours of Washington & Seattle
Where to Stay In and Near North Cascades National Park
There are two hotels in the national park.
šļø Ross Lake ResortĀ is along State Route 20.
šļø North Cascades Lodge at StehekinĀ is in Stehekin.
āŗ There are 10 campgrounds inside North Cascades National Park.
There are several other accommodation options in gateway towns. On the west side of the main Ross Lake corridor, Marblemount, Rockport and Concrete are all easy access points. On the east side of the Ross Lake corridor, Mazama and the western-themed Winthrop make good bases.
ā”ļø Find a hotel near North Cascades National Park on Expedia.
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How to Get To North Cascades National Park
The most common ways to get to North Cascades National Park are to drive or fly into one of the nearby airports and pick up a rental car there.Ā
Read More: HOW TO GET TO NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
š If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.comĀ Ā
āļø If youāre looking for a flight, find a good deal on SkyscannerĀ
The Nearest Airports for North Cascades National Park
This guide tells you about all the airports near North Cascades National Park with the pros and cons of each of them.
This is the closest airport to North Cascades National Park.
āļø If youāre looking for flights, use Skyscanner to scan the Internet for the cheapest deals.Ā Ā Ā
How to Get Around North Cascades National Park
There are no shuttles in the park. You need your own vehicle to get around most of the park.
There are a couple of exceptions. There are no roads to Stehekin, so you need to get a boat or plane there. And you also need to take a ferry to Ross Lake Resort.
š If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.comĀ
The Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park
Most of the park is only open in the warmer months.
A quick summary of the best time to visit the national park for different interests and priorities.
Take a look at what the parkās like in each season and month to help you decide when to visit North Cascades National Park.
Read More: VISITING NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
How Long to Spend in North Cascades National Park
How many days you should go to North Cascades National Park for depends on when you have time off, how much time you have, your budget, and your interests.Ā I recommend at least two days if you like to hike for the Ross Lake corridor alone. If you want to visit Stehekin, itās best to stay overnight, so thatās another couple of days. And if you want to venture into the wilderness, youāll need even more time.
Travel Insurance for North Cascades National Park
In addition to working out the logistics of your trip using this travel guide, North Cascades National Park planning should also include travel insurance.Ā Protect yourself against trip cancellation, loss or theft of your property, or any medical emergencies.Ā Ā Ā Ā
A great insurance option isāÆTravelex.āÆ It has coverage for all youāll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:Ā
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About the Author
James Ian is aĀ national park, campingĀ andĀ hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of theĀ national parksĀ in the United States. WithĀ over 35 years experienceĀ in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as aĀ travel plannerĀ whoās helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James hasĀ published detailed itinerariesĀ for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well asĀ in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to manyĀ publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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