I’m so glad you’re searching for a North Cascades National Park itinerary. This national park is underrated, which surprises me because not only is it gorgeous, but it’s also one of the only parks in Washington state that doesn’t require a fee to enter.
The park has so much to offer visitors, including scenic drives overlooking towering mountains, hidden lakes, colorful meadows, hikes for all skill levels, and backcountry camping. This makes bulking out a North Cascades National Park itinerary incredibly easy.
To help make sure you fit in the highlights, I’ve put together a North Cascades National Park itinerary perfect for a day trip. Get ready for amazing hikes and iconic viewpoints!
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North Cascades National Park Itinerary
This itinerary assume you’re leaving from Seattle, but you can flip the order if you’re departing from the Winthrop area.
North Cascades National Park is extremely remote. You won’t spot food services or gas for approximately 80 miles. Reception is also spotty.
To avoid mishaps, pack plenty of sustenance for your trip, gas up beforehand, and download an offline Google Map. Here are driving directions you can use (note, Google will only provide a route in summer/fall when highway 20 isn’t closed).
Lastly, check for road closures before embarking. This park is open from June through October because it can only be accessed by highway 20, which closes in winter due to snow.
Now that we have the logistics out of the way, let’s dive into your North Cascades National Park itinerary!
4:30 AM: Depart Seattle
North Cascades is very challenging to visit in one day from Seattle. However, if you want to try it, get ready to leave at the ass crack of dawn. If you’re leaving from somewhere closer, feel free to skip this step and get some more sleep.
7 AM: Stop at the North Cascades Visitors Center
The North Cascades Visitors Center is a good place to start your North Cascades National Park itinerary. When open, you can use it for a restroom break and to learn a bit more about the area before diving into the sights.
This is also a great stop if you have kids or want to stretch your legs a bit before heading out on more strenuous hikes. There are a bunch of short trails that leave from the visitors center parking lot. This itinerary assumes you’ll meander a few of them, but you can start your excursion earlier by only stopping here for a quick restroom break.
8:30 AM: Head to Diablo Lake
website | address: Diablo Lake Vista Point | difficulty: easy, just a lookout
Diablo Lake is probably the most popular attraction in North Cascades National Park. As such, it draws huge crowds, especially in summer. So getting here early is a must.
Not only does the morning tend to have fewer crowds, but it’s also best for getting that bright turquoise shot you see in pictures. The sun rising from the east turns the lake’s waters a gorgeous milky-blue hue. You’ll likely miss that vibrant color in the afternoon because the surrounding hills block the sun.
That distinctive color is caused by fine rock particles called “glacial flour” that refract sunlight. The particles get into the lake when the rocks erode get carried into the water by glacial streams. As such, the color is most vibrant on sunny days July through September when seasonal glacial melts occur.
There are several ways to access the lake, but for this itinerary just stop at the Diablo Lake Vista Site so you have more time to fit other things into your North Cascades National Park itinerary. This viewpoint has plenty of parking and a lot of areas for looking at the water from above.
Most of the area is protected by a fence to keep you and the fragile ledge safe. It’s recommended to stay away from the edge, but you can technically get a fence-free photo by taking the path between the bathrooms. You’ll need to scramble down on all fours about 5 feet, but the trail is flat to the bluff.
This can be dangerous and isn’t recommended by the park.
If you do it, don’t get too close to the edge and don’t leave any trash.
If you want to fit in a hike, one option is the around 7-mile Diablo Lake Trail along Sourdough Mountain. This trail offers excellent views of the Colonial, Pyramid, and Davis Peaks while passing through an impressive gorge and waterfall area.
Another option is the shorter and easier, around 3.5-mile Thunder Knob Trail. It’s perfect for kids and offers a lot of old-growth forest ambiance.
If you have an extra hour or so on your hands, head down to the lake and experience the area by boat. The park runs tours between July and late September aboard a glass-roof boat where a guide will teach you all about the area’s ecosystem and dam development.
9:30 AM: Hike Heather Maple Pass Loop
website | address: Maple Pass Trailhead | distance: ~6.5 miles round trip | elevation gain: ~2,000 ft | difficulty: moderate
After finishing up at Diablo Lake, hop back in the car and drive approximately 30 minutes to Heather Maple Pass Loop, accessed via the Maple Pass Trailhead that’s right next to the popular Rainy Pass Trailhead.
This loop hike takes about 4.5 hours without stops. It’s best known for wildflowers in summer and stunning golden larches in October. The hike takes you past Lake Ann, which you can visit for a dip via a short 0.6-mile detour at about 1.25 miles in, but I usually skip it since you get pretty views of the lake from above.
The payoff on this trail is the gorgeous views from the ridge at the highest point of the hike. You’ll see a ton of breathtaking mountains in the distance and gorgeous colors dotting the surrounding landscape. This is one of my favorite hikes in all of Washington, so get ready to be impressed!
Now, I’ll be real with you about this hike – it’s not easy. It’s considered moderately difficult and is relatively manageable on the way down, but I found the distance and uneven terrain started to wear on me when we were heading back to the car.
However, I find this hike less exhausting if you go counterclockwise and turn around the way you came from the ridge. While you won’t get to experience the full loop, the portion of the hike accessed clockwise is steep, which is a schlog on the way up or a knee-killer on the way down. Since I’m all about those big views with the minimum viable exertion, I usually do the hike this way.
3 PM: Hike to Blue Lake
website | address: Winthrop, WA | distance: ~4.5 miles round trip | elevation gain: ~1,000 ft | difficulty: easy to moderate
After the rather intense Heather Maple Pass Loop, you may want to take a breather and recharge before tackling the next part of your North Cascades National Park itinerary. If so, feel free to skip this hike and move onto the next stop that is just a viewpoint.
However if you can fit in another hike, I highly recommend the Blue Lake Trail about 10 minutes from Heather Maple Pass Loop. It’s a relatively gentle hike that meanders through the forest before coming out to a meadow briefly, and then heading back into the forest before coming to a gorgeous…you guessed it…blue lake.
In the fall the lake is surrounded by gold larches, making for stunning photos. If you’re visiting in summer, it’s a great spot for a break and a quick dip. Just be careful of snow and wet rocks, as you’ll see remnants of winter well into the summer.
6 PM: Check out Washington Pass Overlook
website | address: Mazama, WA | difficulty: easy, just a lookout
Finally, head to the Washington Pass Overlook. By this point, your legs will probably be toast. So, you’ll be pleased to hear that this round-trip hike is a mere 0.25 miles long. It’s basically a viewpoint, and a gorgeous one at that.
From a lookout platform you’ll see a seemingly endless sea of evergreen trees and highway 20 weaving down in the valley. It’s a beautiful spot to end your North Cascades National Park itinerary before getting dinner and heading back home.
7:30 PM: Grab dinner in Winthrop
Now that you’ve completed all the hard stuff, it’s time to unwind with dinner and drinks in Winthrop. You’ve probably been subsisting on granola bars, sandwiches, and bottled water all day, so this will be a welcome end to your day of adventuring.
Check out my guide to the best restaurants in Winthrop, WA for ideas of where to go. If you’re doing this itinerary in reverse and ending at the westside of highway 20, check out my guide to the best restaurants in Skagit County.
8:30 PM: Head back home
If you’re ending in Winthrop and plan to head back to Seattle, expect about a 4-hour drive. This is a ton of driving, so hopefully you’re staying closer to the park! If you need a place to stay, keep scrolling.
Where is North Cascades National Park?
North Cascades National Park forms part of the Cascade Range in northwestern Washington state and is about a 2.5-hour drive from Seattle. The journey to the North Cascades may take you slightly longer than this depending on traffic along Highway 20. However, you won’t find route variations that exceed an extra half hour or so.
Best time to visit North Cascades National Park
The best time to complete a North Cascades National Park itinerary is during the summer or early fall. That’s because the main highway that runs through it closes from November through May or later depending on the snow.
Before you get too worried about crowd levels, it’s worth noting that North Cascades National Park is way quieter than other parks in the area. In fact, the North Cascades saw just about 17,000 visitors in 2021.
When you compare this to the staggering ~2 million visitors that visited Mount Rainier National Park during the same period, you’ll quickly see that navigating this park during the summer is manageable…especially if you go Monday through Thursday.
If you don’t mind cooler weather, my favorite time to visit is October. That’s because North Cascades National Park is home to some of the best larch hikes in Washington state. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen these breathtaking evergreen trees that turn gold!
Where to stay near North Cascades National Park
There’s only one accommodation option actually inside the park, but there are several wonderful places to stay near the North Cascades. Most hotels and lodges are congregated in the Mazama, Winthrop, Marblemount, Newhalem, and Rockport areas. Here are some awesome options.
Ross Lake Resort
link to book | address: 503 Diablo St (Rockport, WA) | cost: ~$230 per night
If you want to stay inside North Cascades National Park, this place is genuinely your only option besides camping. There’s no direct road access here, but you can reach the resort via water taxi if you park near the Ross Lake/Dam trailhead.
This place isn’t super luxurious, but the resort’s quaint cabins provide a rustic, backcountry feel that’s perfect for true wilderness explorers. Its draw is the incredible views over Ross Lake, which is an ideal spot for stargazing and decompressing after a long day on the trails.
As the resort is usually fully booked (it only offers 15 cabins!), it’s worth joining their waitlist a few months in advance of your trip.
Impressive French Country House
link to book | address: Twisp, WA | cost: ~$850 per night | hot tub
This gorgeous French country house is right on the Winthrop River. It boasts 14-foot ceilings, an enormous fireplace, and excellent kitchen facilities. As it sleeps up to 12 people, this place is ideal for large groups looking to split the cost of a visit to the North Cascades.
Perched approximately 24.5 miles from the park, it’s a bit farther than other accommodations, but still conveniently located for driving in and out for your North Cascades National Park itinerary. Oh, and did I mention it has an enormous hot tub that’ll soothe your aching muscles?
Rhody House
link to book | address: Marblemount, WA | cost: ~$300 per night
This handcrafted cabin in the woods is all about coziness and luxury. Tucked away on a private 5-acre plot of land, this place offers incredible views of surrounding pastures, the Diobsud Buttes, and the North Cascades.
It sleeps 4 people and you’ll find a queen bed, twin room, and compact bathroom with a tub. If you’d like to take in the beautiful views, grab a seat on the private veranda!
Located a mere 0.7 miles from the North Cascades National Park Wilderness Center, this place is ideal for families looking to explore the edge of the park by foot or wanting to return to their accommodation for a short midday break.
Sun Mountain Lodge
link to book | address: 604 Patterson Lake Rd (Winthrop, WA) | cost: ~$250 per night
If you’re visiting North Cascades National Park but want a little TLC from your hotel, the Sun Mountain Lodge is an excellent choice.
Boasting an on-site spa, patio rooms, a private beach area, and comfortable beds, you’re bound to get a good night’s sleep during your stay. As this is a 4-star resort, you can also expect round-the-clock service and amenities like hairdryers and robes (hey, it’s all about the little things, right?).
This accommodation option is located close to the center of Winthrop and isn’t far from the best hikes in the North Cascades.
Stunning Home with Mountain Views
link to book | address: Winthrop, WA | cost: ~$315 per night
This modern cabin is incredible. I loved it so much that I also included it on my list of the best winter cabins in Washington!
You’ll certainly pay plenty for the privilege of staying here, but the immense views of the Methow Valley almost make handing over the cash feel like no big deal. With its floor-to-ceiling windows, private deck area, and proximity to the beautiful Chewuch River, it’s unsurprising that this place is typically booked out months in advance.
Not only is this accommodation close to North Cascades National Park, but it’s a stone’s throw from many of the best things to do in Winthrop. So, this place is bound to be an excellent base if you’re looking to extend your visit.
Campgrounds in North Cascades National Park
As the only accommodation option inside the park is the Ross Lake Resort, camping might be a better option for those wanting to remain close to the center.
You’ll need a backcountry permit to park overnight in the North Cascades, so don’t forget to grab one before you go!
There are several campgrounds in North Cascades National Park, but I’ve handpicked a few that’ll make planning your trip feel slightly easier.
Colonial Creek Campground
link to book (north) or link to book (south) | address: State Route 20 (south) or North Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway (north) | cost: ~$24/night | open: late May to mid-September each year | flushing toilets? yes showers? no
Colonial Creek Campground is a first-come-first-serve site along Highway 20 with locations on both the North Loop and South Loop of the park. You can access the site via the Thunder Knob Trail or the Thunder Creek Trail, making it well-placed for exploring Diablo Lake.
The 41 sites here are accessible and offer food storage lockers, campfire rings, drinking water, tent pads, and picnic tables. It’s quite a basic site, but it’s perfect for families or couples with pets who are looking for somewhere central to rest their heads for the night.
Newhalem Creek Campground
link to book | address: Highway 20 | cost: ~$24-75/night | open: May to September, but may be available on a walk-up basis outside of this season | flushing toilets? yes showers? no
Newhalem Creek Campground is located by the Skagit River, and its 107 sites are shaded by western hemlock, Douglas fir, and western red cedar trees.
Although this campsite is slightly further from the central trails, you’re just a short walk from the North Cascades National Park Visitors Center and can access the quieter Ladder Creek Falls Trail and the Trail of the Cedars from your doorstep.
When it comes to amenities, you’ll find drinking water, paved parking, trash collection, campfire rings, and accessible flush toilets. You won’t experience the luxury of a hot shower here, but the excellent location and natural beauty more than make up for this shortcoming.
The campground is open seasonally, and you’re just minutes from Newhalem by car if you need to pick up any food or forgotten toiletries.
Goodell Creek Campground
link to book | address: State Route 20 | cost: ~$20/night | open: May to September, but may be available on a walk-up basis outside of this season | flushing toilets? no showers? no
Tucked away on the other side of the Skagit River is Goodell Campground. The main campground offers 19 individual sites and is open between May and September each year. This makes it an excellent option for summer travelers and anyone wanting to fish in the Skagit River area.
If you’re looking for slightly more space, you’ll find a further 30- to 50-group sites just up the creek. Although you won’t find tons of amenities here, there’s a boat ramp for heading out on the river, campfire rings, picnic shelters, and plenty of shade.
Gorge Lake
link to book | address: Rockport, WA | cost: ~$20/night | open: reservations available from May to early September | flushing toilets? no showers? no
Gorge Lake is a tiny campground located just west of the Diablo Dam and reached via State Route 20. Due to its size and distinct lack of amenities (for example, you’ll need to pack water!), this campground is best for experienced tent campers and small RVs.
Before you wonder why I’ve included this campground on my list, it’s because the waterfront views are glorious. You can pitch up right next to Gorge Lake, and it’s a wonderful place to relax during quieter evenings. You’ll also have excellent access to the Pyramid Lake Trail, Diablo Lake, and the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center from here.
Best hikes in North Cascades National Park
If you have more time to allocate to your North Cascades National Park itinerary, here’s a list of hikes to check out during your visit.
Cascade Pass
website | address: Cascade Pass Trailhead | distance: ~7 miles round trip | elevation gain: ~1,800 ft | difficulty: moderate-difficult depending on whether you continue to the Sahale glacier
The Cascade Pass is one of the most challenging hikes in the North Cascades. Hitting heights of 5,392 feet, you’ll get sweeping views of glaciers (including the beautiful Cache Glacier!), mountains, and wildlife along this tricky trail.
This hike takes around 3.5 hours to complete and is extremely popular with visitors to this area. As a result, you should plan to stop a few times along the way to avoid getting held up behind groups on the trail.
It’s also worth noting that there are lots of switchbacks on this hike, and the elevation gain is relatively significant. So, I advise assessing your fitness ability before arriving. If you’re determined to take on this trail, just take things slow, and don’t be afraid to cut your losses halfway through if you feel close to tapping out.
To get here, follow the Cascade River Road from Marblemount for around 23 miles. The road is well paved at the start, but you’ll need to grapple with a steep and narrow gravel trail as you get closer to the trailhead.
Thunder Knob Trail
website | address: Rockport, WA | distance: ~3.5 miles round trip | elevation gain: ~675 ft | difficulty: easy
As mentioned above in your North Cascades National Park itinerary, Thunder Knob Trail leads you through some of the area’s most gorgeous scenery, and it’s easy enough for kids to handle without throwing a tantrum.
Although it’s one of the shorter trails in the North Cascades, it covers Colonial Creek, Colonial Peak, Diablo Lake, and the top of Thunder Knob. There are also several benches that you can use as rest stops along the way. When you reach the end of the trail, be sure to take some time to admire Sourdough Mountain and the Davis Peak snowfield!
To reach this popular trail, take State Route 20 east past Newhalem before crossing Gorge Lake. Then, you can follow Diablo Lake until you reach Colonial Creek campground. You can then start the trail at the right of the campground entrance.
Ross Dam Trail
website | address: N Cascades Highway | distance: ~1.5 miles round trip | elevation gain: ~600 ft | difficulty: easy
If you’re looking for a shorter trail that offers excellent views over Ross Lake and Ross Dam, check out the Ross Dam Trail.
You’ll encounter a bit of rockiness on this trail, and those rocks can be slippery, but it’s nothing that most people can’t handle during their North Cascades National Park itinerary. The path takes you all the way down to the Ross Dam itself, and you can also use it to access Big Beaver Trail.
To reach this ~45-minute hike, head east on the North Cascades Highway for 14 miles from Newhalem. You can then park between mileposts 134 and 135 before strapping on your walking boots to take on this hike.
Desolation Peak
website | address: Rockport, WA | distance: ~9 miles round trip | elevation gain: ~4,500 ft | difficulty: difficult
Typically accessed via Ross Lake and the East Bank Trailhead, Desolation Peak is a difficult hike that leads to a glorious fire lookout. Although you won’t be able to access the lookout itself, you can still enjoy the wonderful views of Hozomeen Mountain, Ross Lake, and Jack Mountain from the top. If you look closely, this unique vantage point allows you to see all the way into Canada!
As this hike is long, challenging, and has a steep elevation gain, I recommend bringing plenty of water, snacks, and a pair of excellent hiking boots with you. Seriously – running shoes simply won’t hold up against the tricky terrain. As this trail takes up to 7 hours to complete, it’s an all-day affair that you’ll want to be well prepared for.
To get here, drive along State Route 20 from the south to milepost 138. Alternatively, you can access this trail via Ross Lake Resort’s popular water taxi. This is an ideal option for those who don’t want to cover the trail in its entirety or aren’t arriving by car.
Hidden Lake Lookout
website | address: NF-1540 | distance: ~7.5 miles round trip | elevation gain: ~3,200 ft | difficulty: difficult
Boasting unmatched panoramas of Boston Peak, Sahale Mountain, and Johannesburg Mountain, this tricky hike certainly feels worth the effort.
The main selling point of this trail becomes visible at higher elevations (I’m talking about vistas over Hidden Lake itself!), but you’ll pass through wildflower meadows, runoff streams, and dense forests along the way that should satisfy even the most passionate nature lovers.
In my opinion, this is one of the most special hikes in the North Cascades. It’s certainly difficult, but few other trails offer such incredible views of the mountaintops.
The trail takes around 5.5 hours to complete and can be reached by driving to Cascade River Road. You’ll want to drive the entire 23 miles to the end of the road before hopping out of the car to start the hike.
Copper Ridge Loop
website | address: Deming, WA | distance: 34 miles round trip | elevation gain: 8,600 ft | difficulty: difficult
Outdoor enthusiasts who aren’t afraid to turn a hike into a multi-day affair should explore the Copper Ridge Loop. Passing through the Chilliwack River, Indian Creek, Whatcom Pass, and Brush Creek Junction, this varied trail is well worth trying.
The hike boasts miles of subalpine terrain, so excellent hiking boots are certainly recommended. You don’t have to cover the entire 34-mile trail (as it takes almost 20 hours of steady walking to complete!), but if you’d like to rise to the challenge, grab a camping permit and split the hike into a 2-day event.
The Copper Ridge Loop starts from the Hannegan Pass trailhead, and you can get there by driving along SR542. You’ll want to turn left onto Hannegan Pass Road #32 before taking a left onto Ruth Creek Road. When you reach the road’s end, you’ll be ready to park up and start walking.
Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak
website | address: Marblemount, WA | distance: ~10 miles round trip | elevation gain: ~3,000 ft | difficulty: moderate
The Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak Trail perfectly showcases the signature ruggedness of North Cascades National Park. Almost completely untouched, you’ll be able to gaze over glimmering alpine waters while clambering along exciting rocky ridges.
The beginning of the trail is relatively easy, but it starts to increase in elevation from mile 4. You can either hike the entire 10.2 miles or head down to the Thornton Lakes for a relaxing picnic before heading back. However, I highly recommend pushing on to Trappers Peak. Offering unbeatable views of the Picket Range and Mount Triumph, you’d be missing out if you didn’t!
To get here, head along Highway 20 east for 11 miles. Then, turn onto Thornton Lakes Road before parking up at the road’s end. This trail takes roughly 6 hours to complete depending on which variation you choose.
Cutthroat Lake
website | address: NF-400 | distance: ~4 miles round trip | elevation gain: ~400 ft | difficulty: easy
Cutthroat Lake can be reached via a hike that boasts gorgeous deep forests, waterfalls, and creeks. What can be confusing is that this is a different trail than the 10-mile Cutthroat Pass trail that actually leaves closer to Rainy Pass Trailhead 15 minutes up the road. Both bring you to the lake, but if you want the easier route make sure you’re at the right trailhead!
Other outdoorsy things to do
After you’ve done this North Cascades National Park itinerary, check out these other guides for outdoor adventures.
