Page Updated: March 06, 2024
North Cascades National Park
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Lake Diablo - North Cascades National Park WA
North Cascades National Park is home to a spectacular alpine wilderness of deep forested valleys and cascading waterfalls - and is one of the least visited national parks in the United States. Located in one of the snowiest locations on the planet, the park also harbors numerous snowfields and glaciers. And with more than 300 glaciers, North Cascades National Park is the most heavily glaciated area in the lower 48.
North Cascades National Park is the northern most of four national parks spanning the Cascade Range from Canada to California.
North Cascades was designated as a National Park in 1968.
Grinding glaciers surrounding the park create a fine silt known as “rock flour” that’s then carried by meltwater to rivers and lakes in North Cascades National Park. The suspended silt in the water reacts to the light giving the waters their bright turquoise appearance.
With similarities of U shaped valleys and glacial deposits, North Cascades has a sister park in Portugal’s Peneda-Gerês National Park. Both parks share ideas on how best to preserve their protected areas.
Scenic Drive
The scenic drive of North Cascades National Park is a roughly 40 mile segment of the greater 140 mile North Cascade Scenic Byway - which is part of an even greater 440 mile scenic route known as The Cascade Loop. The greater loop stretches from Anacortes east to Twisp, south to Wenatchee, circles west to Whidbey Island and passes north through Deception Pass before returning to Anacortes.
In the park, the Byway passes through Skagit Gorge and its breathtaking scenery. The route continues along Skagit River, passes the Gorge Dam, and stretches beyond Ross Lake Overlook on its way out of the park. In its near center sits Diablo Lake Vista Point. With views of Diablo Lake and Pyramid Peak, the point has arguably the best most easily accessible views in the park.
Hiking
The selection of hiking trails in North Cascades National Park is extensive, and the ideal months to explore run April through October. In addition to several accessible trails; short hikes, day hikes, and the in between can be found for hikers seeking peace and solitude in the park. Backpackers can choose from an assortment of one-nighters to multiday treks. And climbers can pick short climbs or tackle lengthy challenging routes.
Camping
Numerous campgrounds surround North Cascades National Park, and ten rest within the park boundaries. For sites within the park and during peak camping season, the reservation/first come-first served status is all over the place. It’s best to check here for campground status and site availability.
Peak camping season is roughly a short 90 days and reservation sites fill quickly. It’s advised to reserve ahead of time if possible. Beyond reservation hurdles, it should be noted fire season can also impact camping availability regardless of reservation.
For current info, new, and updates on all things North Cascades - including fees, permits, and closures - visit North Cascades National Park at nps.gov
2021 AUG
Before setting foot in North Cascades National Park, we had no idea what to expect. What we found was a remarkable gem often referred to as the American Alps. See our 2021 visit!
