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 Washington’s three national parks, but don’t let that make you decide not to visit. It’s stunning!
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North Cascades National Park at a Glance
⭐ State: Washington
⭐ 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 – but it doesn’t 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 you should AVOID doing 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 Park
There is no entrance fee for the park. It’s one of only 16 National Parks that is free to enter.
However, if you want to go to Stehekin, you’ll need to pay for a boat or plane, as there are no roads.
North Cascades National Park Visitor Center
There are several Visitor Centers.
ℹ️ North Cascades Visitor Center is in Newhalem and is generally open late May to late September.
ℹ️ Forest Information Center with HQ Administration Building is in Sedro-Woolley.
ℹ️ Wilderness Information Center is in Marblemount is usually open May to September.
ℹ️ Golden West Visitor Center is in Stehekin and is usually open May to September.
ℹ️ Skagit Information 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.
🛏️ Ross Lake Resort is along State Route 20.
🛏️ North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin is in Stehekin.
⛺ 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.
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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.
Read More: HOW TO GET TO NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
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✈️ If you’re looking for a flight, find a good deal on Skyscanner
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.
✈️ If you’re looking for flights, use Skyscanner to scan the Internet for the cheapest deals.
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.
🚗 If you need a rental car, find one on RentalsCars.com
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 park’s 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. I recommend at least two days if you like to hike for the Ross Lake corridor alone. If you want to visit Stehekin, it’s best to stay overnight, so that’s another couple of days. And if you want to venture into the wilderness, you’ll 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. Protect yourself against trip cancellation, loss or theft of your property, or any medical emergencies.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:
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About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s 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 has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as 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 many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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