When I first visited North Cascades National Park, I couldn’t believe how few people were there. This park is often called the “American Alps,” and with its jagged peaks, endless forests, and bright turquoise lakes, the name fits. Yet it’s one of the least visited national parks in the U.S.—which honestly makes it feel like you’ve stumbled onto a secret. How can there be so few people appreciating this natural paradise?
I’ve always loved the Pacific Northwest. It has such gorgeous scenery, stunning mountains, and wildflower fields. While the other national parks in Washington State, Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park, are two of the most popular national parks in the entire United States, North Cascades is remote and peaceful.
In this North Cascades National Park travel guide, I’ll share the best hikes, the most scenic drives, where to stay nearby, and even a sample North Cascades National Park itinerary for 1-3 days based on my own trip. If you’re looking for big mountain views without the crowds, you’ll love it here as much as I did.
What Makes North Cascades National Park Special?
What struck me most about North Cascades National Park is how remote it feels compared to other parks in Washington. It’s not unusual to go hours on a trail without seeing another person, which is almost unheard of in national parks these days. That’s because it’s one of the least visited national parks in the U.S., despite its dramatic scenery and easy driving distance from Seattle.
Another thing that makes the park unique is its trails. Many of the best hikes in North Cascades National Park are longer than your typical family hike, with higher elevation gains than you might expect. I don’t think I climbed a single trail with less than 1000 feet of elevation gain. Because amenities are limited, you really do need to come prepared with plenty of water, snacks, sturdy hiking boots, layers, and even bear spray (welcome to bear country!). The lack of services can be intimidating at first, but it also means the views you reach feel that much more rewarding.
I personally love the solitude and rugged feel, especially with how the wildlife comes alive when there are so few people around. I loved hearing the marmots screeching across the mountains and even encountered a family of mountain goats just a few feet away! North Cascades National Park still feels wild and raw in a special way that few places still do.
🏔️ Quick Stats About North Cascades National Park
- 📍 Location: Northern Washington State, about 3 hours from Seattle
- 🗻 Nickname: “The American Alps”
- ❄️ Glaciers: Over 300 glaciers, the most of any U.S. national park outside Alaska
- 🥾 Trails: More than 400 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy walks to multi-day backpacking routes
- 🐐 Wildlife: Home to mountain goats, marmots, black bears, and over 200 bird species
- 🌲 Size: 500,000+ acres of protected wilderness, plus adjacent Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas
- 👣 Visitors: Fewer than 40,000 annual visitors, making it one of the quietest U.S. national parks
When to Visit North Cascades National Park
What is the best time to visit North Cascades National Park? The first thing that I learned while researching when to visit North Cascades is that timing is everything. Because of the park’s high elevation, trails stay snowed in for much of the year. I went in early July and the conditions were pretty much perfect—comfortable day temperatures for hiking, wildflowers appearing in the grass, and snow patches that were navigable with regular footwear.
The best time to visit North Cascades National Park is mid-June through late September. July and August are the busiest months for the park, but “busy” can’t hold a candle to other parks like Rainier or Olympic. If you want to see wildflowers, then July and August are your best bet. There’s also a frenzy in September for golden larch madness, when the park turns red and yellow, but trails without larches tend to have even fewer people than normal.
Outside of this window, Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) usually closes due to snow and cuts off access to most of the park. You can still visit some trails if you wish, but you need to come prepared with chains and plenty of snow gear.
How to Get to and Around North Cascades National Park
Like most national parks in the United States, you absolutely need a car to get around North Cascades National Park. If you’re just visiting the Pacific Northwest, I recommend renting a car and enjoying the adventure, because the scenic drives are part of the fun!
To get to North Cascades from Seattle, the nearest major city, you will drive through the park itself to get to Winthrop, my personal pick for home base for your trip. It takes 3 hours because Winthrop is on the other side of the park, but you’ll get to drive Highway 20, also known as North Cascades Highway. This has got to be one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the United States! The road winds through craggy peaks and electric-blue lakes that look photoshopped. I pulled over at several viewpoints just to take in the gorgeous views.
As for getting around North Cascades National Park, make sure you have a full tank of gas before you’re off. Because of the mountainous landscape and remote roads, it can take a while to get between stops! I also recommend downloading the offline Google Maps for the area so you can navigate without signal—it’s spotty in the park at best.
🗻 Want to do two trips in one? You can’t visit the Pacific Northwest and not visit the iconic Mount Rainier. Check out my travel guide to finding paradise on Mount Rainier here!
Where to Stay and Eat Near North Cascades National Park
There aren’t many towns near the park, which makes choosing where to stay easy. The closest available town to the east entrance of North Cascades National Park is the town of Mazama, known for its quiet and more luxurious vacation vibes. The nearby town of Winthrop (and my personal pick) is only 15 minutes down the road, and is a surprisingly nice and quirky town with Old West vibes and plenty of lodging opportunities. I recommend eating at Jupiter, which has shockingly good coffee, delicious healthy and clean food perfect for pre-hiking, and an aesthetic terrace.
Unfortunately, these two towns are really the only two choices when picking where to stay near North Cascades National Park. You might be wondering why not stay on the west side of the park so you don’t have to drive as far from Seattle—while you might see some towns on the map, these are purely residential.
Best Accommodation in Mazama
- Luxury – Freestone Inn & Cabins: A top-rated lodge nestled in the heart of the North Cascades. Choose between cozy lodge rooms with fireplaces or rustic pet-friendly cabins—relax in solitude with fire pits, verandas, and 24-hour hot tub access.
- Mid-range – The Inn at Mazama: A peaceful mountain retreat offering queen- or king-sized rooms in a minimalist, electronics-free environment. Some rooms include Jacuzzi tubs, cozy gas stoves, and shared free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Best Accommodation in Winthrop
- Luxury – Sun Mountain Lodge: A classic Pacific Northwest resort offering upscale amenities like a spa, multiple dining venues, a games room, and direct access to hiking, skiing, and horseback-riding trails—perfect for a pampered retreat.
- Mid-range – Mt Gardner Inn: A charming 3-star inn situated close to downtown Winthrop, with great mountain views, a lovely garden and terrace, and excellent guest ratings—cozy, comfortable, and centrally located.
- Budget – AbbyCreek Inn: A wallet-friendly choice boasting free Wi-Fi, a seasonal outdoor pool, and complimentary daily breakfast—solid value and convenience for travelers on a budget.
While the area around North Cascades National Park rarely gets crowded, I still recommend booking your accommodation in advance. There aren’t that many options and so with even just a few visitors, places will fill up quickly!
Top Sights, Hikes, and Things to Do in North Cascades National Park
Blue Lake Trail
Blue Lake is one of the shortest worthwhile trails in North Cascades National Park. Clocking in at 2.2 miles one way or 4.4 miles round trip with 1,050 feet or elevation gain, it’s possible to tackle in combination with another hike later in the day. This alpine trail winds through lush forests and then leads to a glassy turquoise lake surrounded by peaks! Not counting time spent at the viewpoint, it takes around 2-3 hours to complete. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead.
You can even swim in the alpine lake here if you wish, but I’ll warn you that it’s extraordinarily cold. These are glacial-fed lakes and so even in the peak of summer, I’d be impressed if you can manage a plunge. We also saw a family of mountain goats here just a few feet away, which is one of my favorite memories from North Cascades National Park!
If you want to see the beautiful mirror reflection in the lake, I recommend timing your hike to Blue Lake so you arrive just around sunrise or sunset. This is when the air is stillest and wind is least likely to disturb the surface.
Diablo Lake and Ross Lake Overlooks
These two iconic lake overlooks are perfect for views without hiking. Pull off at Diablo Lake Overlook along North Cascades Highway to check out the surreal teal color of the water—trust me, you won’t be able to miss it. It gets super windy here, but you’ll be lucky if you also have the opportunity to catch a reflection in the water.
A little-known secret path is tucked behind the bathrooms at Diablo Lake Overlook and is perfect if you want a quieter vantage point or no railing. Just be careful and watch your step! These stops are must on any North Cascades National Park scenic drive.
🥾 By the way, you can hike to Diablo Lake if you want and take a dip in the icy glacial waters! It does take around 3.5-4 hours and covers over 7 miles, so I recommend only adding this in if you have extra days—there are shorter lake trails that are just as pretty coming up.
Maple Pass Loop & Heather Pass
Maple Pass Loop is one of the best hikes in North Cascades National Park for sweeping alpine views. A lot of people say this is the most iconic hike in North Cascades, and I totally agree! The 7.2-mile loop passes through beautiful conifers, around the stunning glacial-fed Lake Ann, and around mountain peaks, other lakes, and expansive ridgeline views. Expect to see lots of marmots!
Since Maple Pass Loop is a loop trail, you can hike it in either direction. Most people prefer hiking it counterclockwise, and I agree. There’s a more gradual ascent and you get better views overall, though you do have to deal with some pretty steep switchbacks at the end. To take the counterclockwise route, take the trail in the direction of Lake Ann from the parking lot. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead.
While the hike is pretty gradual, Maple Pass Loop takes a long time due to the 2,000 feet of elevation gain. It takes around 4-5 hours to complete and I was pretty tired afterwards even though I’ve done much longer hikes before. However, the views are just incredible! In the summer, expect to see colorful wildflowers and blooming pink-purple heather at every turn. My favorite part of the hike is around 2/3rds through the loop, where you run into carpets of heather and gorgeous lake views on both sides. Ugh, Maple Pass is just to die for!
⚠️ You definitely want to bring a headlamp on the Maple Pass Loop if you’re planning to catch sunrise or sunset like we did. It gets extremely dark (aka pitch black) near the start and end of the trail because of the dense tree coverage, so even with a headlamp you’ll need to watch your step! Stay safe out there.
Rainy Lake Trail
Right next to the Maple Pass trailhead is Rainy Lake, a short and paved 1-mile path that’s perfect if you want something easy. The trail leads to a stunning clear alpine lake surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls. It’s a great add-on hike for families or those short on time. Like most lake trails, I suggest hiking this right before sunrise or right after sunset for the best chance of seeing reflections in the still lake. We weren’t so lucky, but I’ll try again next time!
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm
Cascade Pass is another one of North Cascades’ most classic routes because it really has it all. Glacier views, alpine meadows with flowers, incredible wildlife, and the chance to extend your hike onto Sahale Arm for even bigger and more dramatic scenery. Cascade Pass is an out-and-back trail where you can turn back at any time and I actually suggest this, because I think the ending views don’t beat what you see along the way.
You’ll be blessed with amazing views on all sides and a high chance of seeing mountain goats up close! I’m talking like just a few feet away, grazing on the grass as you hike by. People also often mention bear sightings here, so bring your bear spray—but it would be incredibly cool to see one, too. Personally, I recommend hiking only the 4.6 miles to Douglass Lake Overlook before turning around for a total of 9.2 miles. Cascade Pass is a strenuous trail that takes around 6 hours total.
⚠️ Cascade River Road leading to the Cascade Pass trailhead often only opens in July and the conditions change every year based on snow. I highly recommend checking the road condition on the official NPS site because if Cascade River Road is closed, you’ll have to hike an extra 3 miles one way just to get to the trailhead. (And I personally don’t think that’s worth it!)
Washington Pass Overlook
Another easy but rewarding stop is Washington Pass Overlook. Just a quarter-mile walk from the parking area, this viewpoint gives you a front-row look at Liberty Bell and the surrounding peaks. This is one of my favorite areas to stop and have lunch as well! Even though there aren’t any tables to eat at, the area is very well maintained and the views are to die for.
I also love looking down at the tiny cars and the winding mountain roads from your vantage point high above. It makes me realize just how small we are in the world, compared to these ancient mountains formed by millennia of Mother Nature’s touch. Washington Pass Overlook is one of the best roadside viewpoints in the North Cascades National Park, and it’s right along the route between Winthrop and Diablo Lake.
Thornton Lake and Trappers Peak
For experienced hikers, Thornton Lake and Trappers Peak is a challenging but rewarding option. The trail climbs steeply—about 3,789 feet of elevation gain over 8 miles round trip—but the views from the peak are unforgettable. You’ll feel like you’re standing on the edge of the world, with jagged mountains stretching in every direction.
I’ve put these two together because they start at the same trailhead and you have the option of taking one or the other (or both…if you’re really dedicated). You’ll hike 4 miles through forest and then fork either down towards Thornton Lake or up towards Trappers Peak. I personally recommend taking Trapper’s Peak instead because of the views! It is a bit of a scramble, plus the sheer fact that you’re climbing almost 1,000 feet in less than a mile, so I don’t recommend this if you’re afraid of heights. While you won’t really be in any danger in terms of sheer cliffs, you will need to use your hands to assist and taking a tumble could be quite scary.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead.
North Cascades National Park Itinerary for 1–3 Days
Now that I’ve covered all the best hikes and viewpoints to check out in North Cascades National Park, how are you supposed to actually put them together into a coherent itinerary? On my last trip, I spent 2 full days in North Cascades National Park. You can easily shorten this to a day trip to just check out the highlights or extend to 3 days to check out another one of the park’s stunning scenic trails. Here are my suggestions on what to see and prioritize:
1 Day in North Cascades National Park
- Morning: Hike Blue Lake. The lake is stillest right before sunrise!
- Afternoon: Drive Highway 20 and stop at Diablo Lake and Washington Pass Overlook.
- Evening: Dinner in Winthrop.
2 Days in North Cascades National Park
- Day 1: As above.
- Day 2: Hike the Maple Pass Loop and add the quick walk to Rainy Lake. Bring a headlamp if you’re going to do this trail for sunset!
3 Days in North Cascades National Park
- Days 1 & 2: As above.
- Day 3: Take on Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm for the full alpine experience.
- Alternative: If you want something more rugged, swap in Thornton Lake and Trappers Peak.
🏔️ Read more: The Best Hikes in Mt. Rainier: Skyline Trail, Mt. Fremont, and More
What to Pack for North Cascades National Park
One of the biggest things I learned on my trip is that North Cascades National Park feels more remote than other parks in Washington. There are no restaurants, gas stations, or big visitor hubs inside the park, so being prepared makes all the difference.
I recommend taking a look at my hiking essentials checklist so you can be prepared no matter where you go! As a quick peek, here are some of the things I recommend bringing for North Cascades National Park in particular:
Hiking Essentials
- Plenty of water – Most trails are lengthy or full-day hikes, so you definitely need water. I recommend bringing a Lifestraw Go Bottle so you can refill on the trail instead of having to carry tons of water with you.
- Snacks or a packed lunch – You need sugars and energy for the trail. We packed not only some snacks and energy bars but also sandwiches to eat halfway through the longer trails.
- Sturdy hiking boots – Trails are rocky, steep, and often muddy. Snow persists well into the summer, even July.
- Layers of clothing – Weather can swing from hot sun to chilly wind in a matter of minutes.
- Rain jacket – Afternoon showers roll in quickly in the mountains.
- Mosquito spray – In the summer, the mosquitoes in the Pacific Northwest are absolutely vicious. You won’t survive without bug spray!
Safety Gear
- Bear spray – Black bears are common, and it’s smart to carry it on longer hikes. You’re in bear country! Remember that bear spray should be carried on your person, not in your bag where you can’t reach it.
- Map or offline GPS app – Cell service is almost nonexistent in the park.
- Headlamp or flashlight – In case your hike runs longer than expected, or if you want to do sunrise or sunset hikes.
- First aid kit – Even a small one makes a difference on remote trails.
Optional but Useful
- Trekking poles – Helpful for steep trails like Maple Pass or Cascade Pass.
- Swimwear – If you’re brave enough to jump into alpine lakes like Blue Lake. But believe me, these are ICY!
- Camera – The North Cascades scenic drives and alpine overlooks are insanely photogenic. I have a Sony Alpha 6600, which is light enough to carry without trouble even on longer hikes.
I’d say the biggest difference between here and other parks is that you can’t just “wing it.” The lack of services means you need to plan ahead, but that’s also what makes the park feel so wild and untouched. Being self-sufficient is part of the experience—and the fun!
🎒 For a more comprehensive guide on what to pack for any hiking trip, check out my Essential Day Hiking Checklist!
North Cascades National Park Travel Tips and FAQs
- What do I need to enter North Cascades National Park? North Cascades National Park has no entrance fee, but most trailheads require a Northwest Forest Pass (around $30 annual or $5/day). This covers areas adjacent to the park, especially for trails like Maple Pass and Blue Lake. Backcountry permits are required separately for overnight wilderness trips.
- When is the best time to visit North Cascades National Park? The ideal window is mid-June through late September. That’s when Highway 20 is open, trails are free of snow, and the best hikes in North Cascades National Park are accessible. July–August are peak months; September offers fewer crowds and autumn colors like golden larches.
- Is North Cascades National Park worth visiting for just one day? Yes, but it’s a long haul—your day will include Highway 20’s scenery, stops at Diablo Lake and Washington Pass, and a short hike like Blue Lake. For a fuller experience with more hikes, staying in Winthrop or Mazama at least overnight is highly recommended.
- Is North Cascades National Park crowded? No, North Cascades National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the U.S. Even on popular trails like Maple Pass Loop, you’ll encounter far fewer people compared to Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park, making it a great choice for solitude and scenery.
