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North Cascades National Park

Designation: National Park

Location: Washington

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Less than three hours from Seattle, an alpine landscape beckons. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth's changing climate. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades.

🌤 Weather 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.

🚗 Directions

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.

Images

boats on the water with mountains and trees surrounding

Stehekin sits at the top of Lake Chelan, welcoming visitors to take a life at a slower pace.

Credit: NPS Photo/D.Dixon

Tents set up in a wooded area.

Grab your tent, your sleeping bag, and adventurous soul and camp along Ross Lake.

Credit: NPS Photo/D. Dixon

Trees surround the frame with glacier and mountains in the background

Let the wow factor exceed your expectations while hiking Cascade Pass.

Credit: NPS Photo/D. Dixon

Person with backpacking and climbing gear hikes on a trail.

Explore the trails and backcountry camping and climbing in a landscape over 9,000 feet of vertical relief.

Credit: NPS Photo/D. Dixon

Jagged mountain peaks give way to glaciers.

Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers as you traverse the landscape.

Credit: NPS Photo/T. Baldwin

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Apr 28

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 50.5°F | Low: 37°F

Humidity: 78%

Wind: 4.5 mph

Rain Chance: 87%

UV Index: 1.8

Sunrise: 05:49 AM

Sunset: 08:15 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (87%)

Visibility: 4 mi

Dew Point: 41.9°F

Cloud Cover: 87%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Apr 29

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 58.2°F | Low: 31.4°F

Humidity: 68%

Wind: 3.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 6.2

Sunrise: 05:47 AM

Sunset: 08:17 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (93%)

Visibility: 4 mi

Dew Point: 38.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Apr 30

Sunny

Sunny

High: 60.2°F | Low: 37.8°F

Humidity: 63%

Wind: 4.9 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 5.8

Sunrise: 05:45 AM

Sunset: 08:18 PM

Moon: Waxing Gibbous (97%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 41.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Hozomeen Gate Remains Closed Park Closure
Until further notice, the gate at Hozomeen will remain closed; vehicle and foot traffic across the US/Canada border is prohibited. Visitors must enter through a designated port of entry.

More Info

Temporary Closures for Peregrine Nesting Park Closure
The following established climbing management areas are closed to all public use from March 1, 2026 to July 15, 2026 to protect peregrine falcon nesting aeries: Newhalem Crag East and Newhalem Crag West (Ryan’s Wall).
Diablo Lake Boat Launch Inaccessible to Powerboats Caution
Due to silt accumulation, the Diablo Lake boat launch at Colonial Creek South Campground is not usable for launching most powerboats. Expect shallow or no water at the launch ramp and the possibility of needing to carry your boat to or from the water.

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Stehekin Flash Flood and Debris Flow Area Caution
The Stehekin area is prone to flooding, which increases in a post-fire environment. Know before you go – visit the Post Fire Safety page for information on what to do in a flash flood and debris flow area

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Fire Closures - Trail, Area, and Camp Closures Park Closure
For closures due to fire activity visit the Fire Closures page, including trail, area, and camp closures for current and post fire conditions.

More Info

State Route 20 Closed MP130 Park Closure
State Route 20 is closed at milepost 130 (Colonial Creek Campground) in both lanes. Diablo Lake Overlook is not accessible beyond the closure. For more information click the link to the WSDOT real time map.

More Info

Cascade River Road Current Closure Park Closure
Cascade River Road is closed to vehicles at milepost 20 (Eldorado) two miles before the trailhead. Foot and bicycle traffic is permitted beyond the gate. Do not block gate.

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Flooding and Landslides Affecting Park Complex Information
The park complex experienced severe weather events following flood damage in December 2025, causing unsafe conditions and limiting basic infrastructure in some areas. Some services are available in Stehekin with winter and spring operations.

More Info

Be Aware of Break-ins along State Route 20 Caution
Prevent smashed windows and theft. Break-ins are not uncommon at trailheads along State Route 20. Remove your valuables and electronics and take associated electronic cords.

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

🏤 Mailing Address:
810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

📞 Voice Phone: 3608547200

📞 Fax Phone: 3608561934

✉️ Email: noca_information@nps.gov

Park Location


👏 Fun Fact
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