North Cascades National Park

Alerts

Weather forecast

Sun, Aug 12
Min: 16.45°C
Max: 20.14°C
Clear sky
Mon, Aug 13
Min: 8.75°C
Max: 20.88°C
Clear sky
Tue, Aug 14
Min: 6.79°C
Max: 15.99°C
Scattered clouds
Wed, Aug 15
Min: 5.82°C
Max: 9.27°C
Light rain
Thu, Aug 16
Min: 5.03°C
Max: 9.51°C
Heavy intensity rain
Fri, Aug 17
Min: 4.25°C
Max: 10.93°C
Light rain

Air Quality

050100150200300Air Quality Index: 123
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)
Some individuals, particularly those with respiratory or heart conditions, may experience health issues due to the elevated pollution levels.

To-Do Activities

  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Boating
  • Motorized Boating
  • Boat Tour
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
  • Group Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Climbing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Guided Tours
  • Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
  • Hands-On
  • Citizen Science
  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Paddling
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Things to explore

Sorry, Not have any trail or things you can explore

Campgrounds and More

A forested campsite with a picnic table, tent pad, and bear box.
Colonial Creek North Campground

Colonial Creek North Campground is a remote, yet bustling campground nestled in old growth forest. Located on the north side of State Route 20 near mile marker 130, there are 41 campsites that are surrounded by forest and located on Diablo Lake. Recreational opportunities include a fully accessible fishing pier and boat launch on Diablo Lake, as well as hiking opportunities for various abilities on Thunder Creek and Thunder Knob trails.

Wooden campground sign in front of a cabin.
Colonial Creek South Campground

Colonial Creek South Campground is a remote, yet busy campground nestled in old growth forest on the south side of State Route 20 near mile marker 130.Ten walk-in, tent-only sites are available first-come, first-served in the winter (sites 64-73). Sites may be difficult to access in winter. Reservations required late May to September. Recreational opportunities include a fully accessible fishing pier and boat launch on Diablo Lake, as well as hiking opportunities on Thunder Creek and Thunder Knob trails.

A picnic shelter next to a river
Goodell Creek Campground

Goodell Creek Campground is situated in lush, old growth forest on the banks of the Skagit River. Campsites are suitable for tents and small RVs. First-come, first-served during the winter; summer reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance or 7 days in advance. Nearby recreational opportunities include a raft/kayak launch on the Skagit River and fishing on the Skagit and its tributaries.

An empty campsite in the forest.
Gorge Lake Campground

Gorge Lake Campground is located on the bank of Gorge Lake, next to the cascading Stetattle Creek and is a primitive camp with no water. First-come, first-served during the winter. Summer reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. Nearby recreational opportunities include a boat launch on Gorge Lake, fishing, and hiking trails.

An open sunny forest near a green river.
Harlequin Campground

Harlequin Campground is located near Stehekin in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, 4.5 miles up the Stehekin Valley Rd from Stehekin Landing and 0.5 miles from the public airstrip. All sites are walk-in sites though some have limited parking. First-come, first-served during the winter; summer reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane.

A wooded campsite with a picnic table and fire pit
Hozomeen Campground

Hozomeen Campground is located at the north end of Ross Lake and is open from late May through October. There is no camping fee, and all sites are first-come, first-served. Facilities include boat launches, pit toilets, potable water, picnic tables and fire grates. Guests must pack-out all trash. Campsites located in the Upper Loop are closed until further notice due to hazard trees.

An open sunny forest surrounds small campsites with picnic tables
Lakeview Campground

Located at the head of Lake Chelan, Lakeview Campground is a five minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing. All sites are walk-in sites for small to medium-sized tents. First-come, first-served during the winter; summer reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane.

A sheltered picnic area in the forest
Lower Goodell Group Campground

Lower Goodell Group Campground is a convenient campground on the banks of Goodell Creek. Each group site has 5 tent pads, a pavilion with picnic tables, and a fire grate. Maximum capacity is 50 people and 20 vehicles per site. Lower Goodell sites can accommodate RV's. Vault toilets and garbage service is provided. There are no hook-ups or potable water.

Benches in a forested amphitheater
Newhalem Creek Campground

Newhalem Creek Campground is a comfortable facility close to the town of Newhalem and the Skagit River. It is surrounded by forests that that can be explored through the area's many hiking trails. The campground has individual campsites as well as two group sites. It is private and secluded, yet the town, a visitor center and other amenities are only a short walk away.

A wooden picnic table at a campsite overlooks a paved road, large lake, and distant mountains.
Purple Point Campground

Located at the head of Lake Chelan, Purple Point Campground is a ten minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing. All sites are walk-in sites for small to medium-sized tents. First-come, first-served during the winter; summer reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane.

A forested campsite with picnic tables under a pavillion.
Upper Goodell Creek Group Campsite

Upper Goodell Group Campground is a convenient campground on the banks of Goodell Creek. The group site has tent pads, a pavilion with picnic tables, and a fire grate. Maximum capacity is 30 people (10 vehicles). Upper Goodell cannot accommodate RV's. Vault toilets and garbage service is provided. There are no hook-ups or potable water.

Standard Park Information

Standard Opening Information: 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, and the Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin, are open late-May-September.


Park Directions Information: 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.
Directions URL

Our Operating Hours

wednesday: All Day
monday: All Day
thursday: All Day
sunday: All Day
tuesday: All Day
friday: All Day
saturday: All Day

Weather Specific Information

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.