Hiking In North Cascades National Park
About the North Cascades National Park Complex
Located just a few hours northeast of Seattle, the North Cascades National Park Complex showcases the natural splendor of the Pacific Northwest.
This expansive parkland boasts pristine mountain lakes, untamed rivers, and majestic snowcapped peaks stretching as far as the eye can see.
Renowned as the American Alps, the North Cascades captivate visitors with their rugged beauty and diverse ecosystems, offering an unparalleled wilderness experience.
Whether hiking through old-growth forests, photographing cascading waterfalls, or marveling at the abundance of wildlife, you’ll find beauty–and adventure waiting for you in the unforgettable North Cascades.
Other North Cascades Articles:
- Know Before You Go, North Cascades National Park
- Shaka Guide's North Cascades National Park Itinerary
- Exploring the Scenic North Cascades Highway
Best Hikes & Trails in North Cascades National Park
The best way to experience the stunning beauty of the North Cascades is to get out of your car and take a hike!
From leisurely strolls on paved forest trails to overnight backpacking and mountaineering in the rugged wilderness, the North Cascades National Park Complex has something for everyone!
On our Shaka Guide Tour of the North Cascades, we’ll point out the following trails that are all accessible from the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20):
1. Sterling Munro Boardwalk
- Distance: 0.3 mi
- Elevation: 3 ft
- Time: 5 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: Yes, fully accessible boardwalk, 0% incline
- Restrooms: Yes, at the visitor center
- Pets: Yes. Leashed dogs allowed
Located behind the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center, this short and accessible boardwalk leads to an expansive viewpoint where you can see the distant Picket Mountain Range.
Bring binoculars to look for mountain goats and Terror Glacier. It’s the only glacier visible from Highway 20.
2. River Loop Trail
- Distance: 1.8 mi RT
- Elevation: 118 ft
- Time: 40 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: Yes, with assistance, 0-15% grade, trail is compacted gravel
- Restrooms: Yes, at the visitor center
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
The trailhead to this easy river walk is also found behind the visitor center. The loop meanders through the forest down to a peaceful gravel bar on the Skagit River.
3. Trail of the Cedars
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- Distance: 0.6 mi loop with an optional short spur to Newhalem Creek Powerhouse
- Elevation: 26 ft
- Time: 15 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: Yes, with assistance, moderate grades
- Restrooms: No
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
This lovely loop trail begins at the end of Main Street in Newhalem. Enjoy the view of the Skagit River as you cross the suspension bridge to the other side where the trail winds through a stand of impressively large western red cedar trees. There is an optional spur to the historic Newhalem Creek Powerhouse.
4. Thunder Knob Trail
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- Distance: 3.6 mi
- Elevation: 675 ft
- Time: 1 hr 40 mins
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Accessible: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
Colonial Creek Campground is the launching point for the popular Thunder Knob Trail.
The moderate hike up to Thunder Knob features two viewpoints above Diablo Lake with glimpses of Davis Peak to the west, Colonial and Pyramid Peaks to the south, and Jack Mountain to the northeast.
5. Thunder Creek Trail
- Distance: 4 mi RT to the suspension bridge.
- Elevation: minimal
- Time: 1.5 - 2 hrs
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: No
- Restrooms: Yes
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
The easy 4-mile hike along Thunder Creek meanders through old-growth forests to a picturesque suspension bridge.
From there, you can turn around or continue on for an even longer forest hike. The trailhead begins near the amphitheater, and there is a small parking area near the restrooms.
NOTE: The entire Thunder Creek Trail continues on for another 38 miles.
6. Ross Dam Trail
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- Distance: 1.5 mi
- Elevation: 500 ft
- Time: 45 mins
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Accessible: No
- Restrooms: Yes, vault toilets
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
The trail to Ross Dam offers hikers a unique opportunity to hike down to the Skagit Hydroelectric Project's largest dam and view this amazing engineering structure up close.
From the top of the dam, you can see the southern end of Ross Lake stretching northward.
7. Happy Creek Forest Walk
- Distance: 0.3 mi
- Elevation: 150 ft
- Time: 15 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: Yes, fully accessible, mostly boardwalk, 0-8% grade
- Restrooms: Yes, vault toilets
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
The Happy Creek Forest Walk is an easy and accessible loop through old-growth forest. Most of the trail is on a wooden boardwalk that winds through impressively tall trees along Happy Creek.
For a longer and more challenging option, there’s a 2-mile round trip spur trail to Happy Creek Falls with a 1000 ft elevation gain–but we don’t recommend it.
8. Rainy Lake Trail
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- Distance: 2 mi
- Elevation: 70 ft
- Time: 45 mins - 1 hr
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessible: Yes, fully accessible, paved trail with no elevation gain
- Restrooms: Yes, vault toilets
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
Located at the Rainy Pass Picnic Area, the hike to Rainy Lake meanders through lush, mossy forests on a narrow, paved trail to a stunningly beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountains.
NOTE: Rainy Pass is in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest and requires an America the Beautiful Pass or a National Forest Recreation Pass which can be purchased online here or at the trailhead.
9. Maple Pass Loop Trail
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- Distance: 6.5 mi (7.2 mi with spur)
- Elevation: 2,000+ feet
- Time: 5 hours
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Accessible: No
- Restrooms: Yes, vault toilets
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
The Maple Pass Loop Trail begins at the Rainy Pass Picnic Area. This challenging hike with breathtaking panoramic views is one of the best places to view wildflowers in the summer and the stunning golden larches in the fall.
We recommend going counterclockwise and taking the optional half-mile spur trail to Lake Ann.
NOTE: Rainy Pass is in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest and requires an America the Beautiful Pass or a National Forest Recreation Pass which can be purchased online here or at the trailhead.
10. Blue Lake Trail
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- Distance: 4.5 mi
- Elevation: 1000 ft
- Time: 2.5 hrs
- Difficulty: Moderately challenging
- Accessible: No
- Restrooms: Yes, vault toilets
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
The Blue Lake Trail is a moderately challenging climb, but the payoff at the end is worth the burn.
Trek through a beautiful subalpine forest to a crystal clear mountain lake surrounded by towering granite peaks and teeming with cutthroat trout.
NOTE: The Blue Lake trail is in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest and requires an America the Beautiful Pass or a National Forest Recreation Pass which can be purchased online here or at the trailhead.
11. Cutthroat Lake Trail (aka Cutthroat Creek Trail)
- Distance: 3.8 miles
- Elevation: 400 ft
- Time: 1.5 hrs
- Difficulty: Moderately easy
- Accessible: No
- Restrooms: Yes, vault toilets
- Pets: Yes, leashed dogs allowed
Moderately easy, this 3-mile round trip hike through a lovely forest leads to a pretty mountain lake set in a basin with spectacular views of Cutthroat Peak and Cutthroat Ridge.
NOTE: This hike is in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest and requires an America the Beautiful Pass or a National Forest Recreation Pass which can be purchased online here or at the trailhead.
Backpacking and Mountaineering
The park offers numerous wilderness trails and cross-country camping options for backpacking and mountaineering adventures. Click here for more information about camping options.
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
For hikes that begin in Stehekin in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, click here.
Map of the Best Hikes along the North Cascades Highway
Best Time to Hike in the North Cascades
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One of the best times to hike in the North Cascades National Park Complex is from mid-June to late September when the weather is the nicest. That’s when the highway and most park facilities are open for the season.
If you want to explore some of the park’s higher-elevation hikes, you’ll want to wait until mid-July when snow is off most of the mountain trails.
And if you’re hoping to see the golden larches in all their glory, you’ll definitely want to come in the fall.
The trails to Maple Pass, Blue Lake, and Cutthroat Lake are especially popular for golden larch peeping between late September to early October.
How Do You Get to North Cascades National Park Complex?
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North Cascades National Park Complex is located in northwestern Washington, less than three hours from Seattle.
Most of the park is remote wilderness and can only be accessed by backcountry trails or by boat.
The only way to see the park complex by car is on Highway 20 or the North Cascades Highway. This scenic byway can be reached from Interstate 5 in Burlington.
You can also connect to Highway 20 via Highway 530 at Rockport. From the east, you can begin your epic road trip from Winthrop.
NOTE: The hikes mentioned in this article are all accessible from Highway 20. For hikes that begin in Stehekin in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, click here.
Things To Know Before Hiking in the North Cascades
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The Park Complex and Highway 20
The North Cascades National Park Complex includes:
- the remote north and south units of North Cascades National Park
- the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and
- the Ross Lake National Recreation Area
The Ross Lake National Recreation Area is the only part of the park that is accessible by car.
The North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) runs through the Ross Lake Recreation Area and offers easy access to several hiking trails within the park complex and the Wenatchee-Okanogan National Forest.
Permits or Passes
You do not need a park pass, permit, or reservation to hike any of the trails in the park complex along North Cascades Highway/Highway 20.
However, suppose you plan to do any hiking in the national forest outside the park boundaries. In that case, you’ll need to display either an America the Beautiful Pass or a National Forest Recreation Pass.
National Forest Recreation Pass can be purchased online or at the self-pay station at the trailhead. (You will need to display this pass at the trailheads for Rainy Lake, Maple Pass Loop, Blue Lake, and Cutthroat Lake.)
Road Closures
North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) is closed during the winter due to snow. The road generally opens for the season in April or May and stays open through November.
However, summer is also peak wildfire season, and parts of the road may be closed due to wildfires in the area. So be sure to check the park’s current conditions before planning your hiking trip.
Wildlife & Trail Safety
The North Cascades are home to large mammals such as bears, cougars, wolves, elk, deer, and mountain goats. While chances of encountering wildlife are rare, it’s good to be prepared.
Here are a few tips to help keep you safe on the trail:
- Stay at least 100 yards away from predators like bears, cougars, and wolves–and at least 25 yards from other large mammals.
- If you encounter a predator, don’t run. Slowly back away while facing the animal. If you have young children with you, pick them up. Make yourself look large. Make noise and fight aggressively if attacked.
- Don’t let young children run ahead of you.
- Don’t feed wild animals, and be sure to pick up all your trash–including food scraps.
- Travel in groups. If hiking alone, be sure to tell someone your hiking plans.
- Stay on designated trails and carry the 10 hiking essentials.
- Use insect repellent. Ticks are active in the spring and early summer and can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- Break-ins are common at trailheads. Always lock your car and hide valuables.
Where Can You Get Gas or Food in the Park?
There are no gas stations within the North Cascades National Park Complex.
However, there are gas stations in the towns on either side of the park – Marblemount to the west and Mazama to the east.
Electric vehicle charging stations are available in Newhalem.
The best food options are also outside the park. There are a few restaurants in Marblemount and Mazama and several excellent options in the Western-themed town of Winthrop.
What to Pack for the North Cascades?
- National Park Pass or National Forest Recreation Pass (available for purchase at trailheads or online here) *Needed for hikes in the national forest only.
- Cell phone (with Shaka Guide tour downloaded!)
- Car charger
- Phone mount for car
- Binoculars (optional)
- Trekking poles (recommended if hiking to Blue Lake or Maple Pass)
- Waterproof rain jacket or coat
- Non-cotton/waterproof or quick-dry pants
- Dress in layers (layer with NON-cotton fabric like fleece/wool–for cooler weather or synthetic materials like nylon–for warmer weather). The key is to stay warm and dry!
- Hiking boots/sturdy shoes if you plan to hike
- Sunscreen & sunglasses
- Hat
- Water
- Snacks and/or picnic food (Remember to pack up leftovers/don’t leave crumbs)
- First aid kit/medications
- Emergency roadside assistance kit
Final Thoughts
So, are you ready to explore the American Alps on one of the park’s beautiful trails? Check out Shaka Guide’s Tour of the North Cascades where we point out several popular hikes along the way.
Whether you stick to the paved paths or venture out into the rugged wilderness, you're sure to be impressed--and inspired--by the unforgettable grandeur of the North Cascade Mountains.
Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's North Cascades National Park Tour!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our North Cascades National Park Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.
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