Have you ever seen photos of places with turquoise colored water and your brain just thinks “this can’t be real”? Most likely if you have, there’s a good chance it was a picture from a beautiful international location. But did you know you can see these stunning glacial blue lakes in the United States too? North Cascades National Park has now entered the chat. If you have never heard of or considered visiting North Cascades National Park, then let me be your tour guide.
North Cascades is one of the least visited national parks in the U.S. Located in the northwest corner of the United States, it is not as easily accessible as other popular parks in the country. However, if you are planning a trip to the PNW, this gem is not to be missed! Filled with glacial blue water and jagged peaks, this park is filled with Pixel Perfect photos everywhere you turn. Also, one perk of being one of the least visited parks is…the lack of crowds!
How to get to North Cascades National Park
If you are heading to the North Cascades from Seattle, it is about a 2 hour drive and you will enter the park through the west entrance. From Portland, Oregon, you will enter the same entrance however, it is about a 5 hour drive. Traveling from Spokane, WA can vary depending on the time of year you are visiting. If you are visiting during the summer months, you will travel along Highway 20, also known as North Cascades Scenic Highway and can enter the park from the east. However, in the winter, the Scenic Highway is closed and you will need to travel around to the west entrance which will make about a 6 hour drive.
As I mentioned, North Cascades is pretty remote so even the nearby towns are limited in restaurants, grocery stores, etc. With this in mind, be sure to plan ahead and grab your groceries or any last minute items before heading towards the park. If you are entering from the west, Burlington is your last major town. Entering the park on the east side, Winthrop is probably your best option as a last “big town” stop.
There are still small general stores that have the essentials and a handful of restaurants near the park. But for those traveling with particular dietary needs or planning to stay for a long time you should know your options might be limited.
When to Visit North Cascades National Park
The best time to visit the North Cascades is during mid to late July through September as this is when you will find most of the park open. Even if you are planning a trip in the summer, many trails are still covered in snow in June and July. However, this is when the park begins to wake up a little and offer the most activities. Since this park is very remote, be sure to have maps downloaded ahead of time and check to see if your accommodations provide internet or you will need to provide this option for yourself. If you’re looking to go off the grid, this is a great location!
If you choose to visit in October, you will hopefully get to experience the infamous larches that start to turn a golden yellow and look like popped right of the page of a Dr. Seuss book.
How Long Should You Spend in North Cascades
To see the major highlights of North Cascades, I would recommend at least 2 full days in the park. Of course, more time is always better but if you are trying to cover a lot of the PNW region in a short amount of time, 2 days will still make the trip to the North Cascades worth it. When planning your trip keep in mind this park is very far north and still has a considerable amount of snow in June and even July. So be sure to have a backup plan in case the trail you are wanting to hike is closed or still covered in snow. If you are looking to take an epic road trip through the PNW check out our breakdown and suggested route in our Epic Road Trip Through the Pacific Northwest post.
Best Hiking Trails & Overlooks in North Cascades
North Cascades has about 400 miles of hiking trails that take you in and around the beautiful rocky landscape. This park is also home to over 300 glaciers adding even more uniqueness to this park. The park is split into three different regions: Ross Lake National Recreation Area, North Cascades National Park and Chelan National Recreation Area. If you only have one day in the park, I recommend to explore the Ross Lake NRA. If you have two days, you should be able to explore trails in each section of the park unless you choose to do longer hikes. The North Cascades is also surrounded by multiple national forests that are home to many spectacular hikes and views.
Overlooks
Here are some of the stunning overlooks you can cover with 2 full days in the park:
- Gorge Overlook (Ross Lake NRA)
- Diablo Overlook (Ross Lake NRA)
- Ross Lake Overlook (Ross Lake NRA)
- Washington Pass Overlook (South North Cascades NP)- Be sure to check if the North Cascades Scenic Highway is open as it is usually closed during the winter.
All of these overlooks are very easy to access from the road and have plenty of parking. If you only have time for one, Diablo Lake Overlook is one you can’t miss!
Pro Tip: If you are wanting to capture the stunning turquoise color of Diablo Lake, I recommend taking your photo in the morning. In the middle of the day, the lake is still stunning, however the direct sunlight doesn’t help that color pop!
North Cascades Hiking Trails & Surrounding Areas
Most of the trails listed are located along the North Cascades Scenic Highway (Hwy 20) in North Cascades National Park or Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. While you do not need a park pass to enter North Cascades National Park, a pass is required for any recreation in the Forest area. If you already have an America the Beautiful pass, this will also work as a pass for the National Forest. If you prefer to just use a Northwest Forest pass, you can purchase one for $5 a day or an annual pass costs $30. Each hike listed below, includes info regarding pass requirements and which one will apply.
Easy Hikes
Cutthroat Lake
Cutthroat Lake was a surprising hike in the sense that the view is incredible for being an easy hike. Most of the hike is relatively flat and takes you through the trees. The hike was very peaceful and you get to do a couple of easy water crossings. In July, the rivers and streams were flowing with a lot of water. There was one spot as you are getting close to the lake where we opted not to cross as we were not prepared and felt unsteady when attempting it. The water was up to our knees (and freezing). There was a trail that led you on a different route but you did not have access to the same lookout point at the lake. Either place you end up however, you will have a stunning view! The water is unbelievably clear and if you are visiting in the fall, the larches will add a pop of gold to your view.
I highly recommend this hike if you have the time. This trail can be busy since it is an easy hike, so I recommend arriving early or late in the afternoon to avoid most of the crowds.
Length: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Trail Type: Out and Back
Pass Required? Northwest Forest Pass OR America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly? Yes, on leash
Rainy Lake
Rainy Lake is a bit of a similar experience to Cutthroat Lake. This hike is about half the distance and is paved. Due to the nature of accessibility and short distance, this hike is very popular and can be crowded. Again, planning this hike early or late in the day can help you avoid families and others who will hike mid morning or mid day.
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 131 feet
Trail Type: Out and Back
Pass Required? Northwest Forest Pass OR America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly? Yes, on leash
Both Cutthroat and Rainy Lake are off of Hwy 20 in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Depending on the time of year you are visiting, be sure to check road closures as parts of Hwy 20 are closed in the winter which makes certain trailheads inaccessible.
Trail of the Cedars
This short an easy hike is a perfect stroll through nature for families with small kiddos. Less than a mile out and back, you will walk through the cedars, cross the Skagit River over a fun bridge and have stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Trail of the Cedars is stroller and wheelchair friendly so it is great option for all different types of hikers. Even if you are not traveling with small children, this is a great warm up hike for the day or a good way to end your day if you are looking for something short with minimal elevation gain.
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 29 feet
Trail Type: Out & Back
Pass Required? None
Dog Friendly? Yes, on leash
Moderate Hikes
Thunder Knob
The Thunder Knob hike is a excellent hike to start your North Cascades adventure off. Right after checking out the Diablo Lake Overlook, you can head to the Thunder Knob trailhead and get a different perspective of the lake. I mean you can’t get a bad view of the turquoise color water.
This trail is mostly dirt/gravel path with a little elevation gain but nothing too challenging. Most of the time you are walking in the trees with a stream nearby and majestic peaks around you. Once you reach the end of the trail you will have a few different vantage points of Diablo Lake. Be sure to keep any little ones nearby and in your sight as one of the viewpoints has a pretty big drop-off with no railing.
Length: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 635 feet
Trail Type: Out and Back
Pass Required? None
Dog Friendly? Yes, on leash
Cascade Pass
Although this trail is rated moderate it can definitely be challenging due to the steep incline. For most of the way up, you will encounter switchbacks surrounded by trees. Once you are up out of the trees you start to be greeted with spectacular views. Many people go on further and include the Sahale Arm trail to get a view of Doubtful Lake. If you choose to do this option, it will obviously add on mileage and difficulty as you change from a hike labeled as moderate to one labeled hard. If you go all the way to the Sahale Glacier, you are looking at an 11.6 mile hike with about 4,000 feet of elevation gain. However, if you just want to continue on a bit further to get a peek at Doubtful Lake, you do not need to go the entire 11.6 miles.
Although a bit challenging, this trail can get very crowded so plan wisely when hiking this trail if you prefer less traffic on the trail. I do recommend hiking poles for this hike due to the steep inclines, especially if your knees don’t cooperate like they used to in your twenties!
Length: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,781 feet
Trail Type: Out & Back
Pass Required? None
Dog Friendly? No
Happy Creek Falls
Compared to Cascade Pass, Happy Creek Falls trail will be a walk in the park. Even though they are both marked as moderate, Happy Creek Falls is about half the distance and less than half the elevation gain. This trail starts out by walking over a boardwalk through the forest. After the boardwalk, you meander up and through the trees. You will encounter some road noise on parts of this trail as you are hiking a bit above Hwy 20. Eventually, the trail turns away from the road and you are met with a more peaceful experience and will soon begin to hear the water rushing from the falls. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter more or less water coming down the falls.
If you are looking for a hike through the forest with a waterfall as the main attraction, this is a good option for you.
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 715 feet
Trail Type: Out & Back
Pass Required? None
Dog Friendly? Yes, on leash
Blue Lake
The Blue Lake trail is a similar view and end point experience as Rainy and Cutthroat Lake. I will say you get a bit more views of mountain peaks along the way as you are hiking through the forest. But just like the others, this is a great hike to add to the list because you get a stunning view for not as much effort as the more strenuous hikes. This trail can be muddy, icy or snowy depending on the time of year you are visiting. Be sure to check trail conditions and come prepared with proper footwear.
Similar to other hikes, this trail can be crowded especially in the summer months. There are not a ton of parking spaces at this trailhead, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Length: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 915 feet
Trail Type: Out & Back
Pass Required?
Dog Friendly? Yes, on leash
Ross Dam + Lake Resort
The Ross Dam trail is exactly what it sounds like, it takes you to the dam that runs across Ross Lake. The trail is about a mile down to the actual dam, then if you choose to walk across the dam (I mean who wouldn’t) then you add on about an additional quarter of a mile. Once at the dam, you are met with a stunning view plus a few operational buildings, but it is a working dam after all.
If you are up for hiking a bit further, you will walk across the entire dam and then continue to follow the trail through the trees. There are some up and down elevation gains but nothing too strenuous. Continuing your hike through the trees, you will eventually make it to Ross Lake Resort, a row of 15 floating cabins. We honestly had no idea this was here and stumbled across it hoping we could use a restroom. They had a stocked convenience store full of snacks, candy and drinks, so if you need a little energy boost, be sure to pack some money on this hike.
Another option this resort offers is a boat ride back across the lake to start of dam. As a storm was rolling in, we decided to take advantage of this service and were pleasantly surprised how fun and easy it was. The ride is $4 per person each way, so again you will need to make sure you have some sort of payment with you. Once the boat drops you off, you will need to hike a mile back up to the start of the trailhead. Overall, if you choose to hike to the resort, it is about 2.5 miles one way. If you are choosing to just hike to dam, it is about 1.3 miles one way.
Length: 12.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,760
Trail Type: Out & Back
Pass Required?
Dog Friendly? Yes, on leash (but can’t ride boat back across lake)
Hard Hikes
Maple Pass
Maple Pass is one of the most popular hikes in this region and for a good reason. Known for stunning panoramic views, this hike will get your heart pumping with over 2,000 foot elevation gain in a short amount of distance. Many people go back and forth of the best way to tackle this hike in terms of which direction to conquer the loop. If hiking clockwise, you will encounter the steep parts of the hike in the beginning and get them out of the way. However, hiking counter-clockwise you will experience a bit more dramatic views of the surrounding peaks on your ascent. No matter which direction you choose, you are going to be rewarded with amazing 360 degree views of the Cascades.
Due to weather conditions, this trail is mainly accessible in the summer months. However, even when visiting in early July, the trail was still packed with snow and we were not able to access the trail. This is definitely a hike I hope to make it back to and experience for myself. So if the conditions are good and you are up for a bit of a challenge, I would add this trail to your list.
Length: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,162 feet
Trail Type: Loop
Pass Required? Northwest Forest Pass OR America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly? Yes, must be on leash
If you have more time in the park or prefer lengthier hikes, be sure to check out these epic trails…
Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm
Sometimes dubbed as the North Cascades best day hike, this trail is just a continuation of the already mentioned Cascade Pass. Adding elevation and extra mileage, upgrades the Cascade Pass hike from moderate to hard. Due to the length of this hike and challenge, for most people this will be an all day adventure. So if you are wanting to see the stunning Cascade peaks with your own eyes, I would recommend setting aside most of your day for this hike. This hike will take you through stunning scenery and if you’re lucky you will get to see some wildlife. Just be sure you are prepared and respect any wildlife you encounter.
If you have the time and are up for some heart pumping cardio, you should definitely add this trail to your itinerary. Again, just note due to high elevation, snow can hang around this trail well into summer months so be sure to check trail conditions before your hike. If you want the best chance this trail will be accessible and open (without trekking through snow), I would suggest planning to go in August or September.
Length: 11.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,963 feet
Trail Type: Out & Back
Pass Required? None
Dog Friendly? No
Thornton Lakes
If you are looking for a hike in the North Cascades that takes you by some alpine lakes, then look no further. Thornton Lakes trail starts off relatively gentle as you cross a few creeks and have minimal elevation gain. Around mile two, you will start to notice more of a steady climb. Even though you begin the hike in Forest area, during the hike, you will enter into North Cascades NP boundary. Shortly after hitting the 4 mile mark, around 4.2, you will reach the stunning alpine lake. This is a perfect spot to enjoy a PB & J with a view and your other favorite trail snacks. Here you will also have the option to continue up a rock scramble to the top of Trapper’s Peak. The scramble is less than a mile but takes you up an additional 1,000 feet.
You do not need to be worried about any exposed sections during the scramble, however, as with any scramble you need to be careful and take your time as losing your footing could cause you to fall downhill a bit of a ways. Once you reach the peak, you deserve a mini celebration and are rewarded with stunning views of the alpine lakes below and surrounding peaks. If you are looking for a hike with a little bit of everything, I think this one hits a lot.
Length: 9.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,789 feet
Trail Type: Out & Back
Pass Required? Northwest Forest Pass OR America the Beautiful Pass
Dog Friendly? No
Where to Stay
West side of the park
Glacier Peak Resort
New Sauk River Retreat (Entire home)
Riverside Retreat (Entire home)
Mt Baker Hotel
In the park
Ross Lake Resort (only open June through October)
East side of the park
River’s Edge Resort
Sun Mountain Lodge
Mt Garden Inn
Luxe Valley Home (Entire home)
Gear Essentials
Park Pass– You do not need a park pass if you are only planning to hike trails that are in North Cascades National Park. However, if you are planning to hike any trails in the National Forest land, you will need a pass. You can purchase a Northwest National Forest pass for $5 a day or an annual pass for $30.
If you plan on being in the park or forest areas for at least 5 days, I would recommend the annual Northwest Forest pass. However, if you are someone who visits parks often throughout the year, it might be more cost effective to go ahead and purchase the America the Beautiful pass. Find out more about park passes here.
Hiking boots or trail runners– Pay attention to the time of year you are visiting and possible hiking conditions, as that might help you better determine the appropriate shoe. If you are traveling during the winter months, be sure to look into spikes or snow cleats for your shoes.
Shoe Spikes– Depending on when you are visiting this park, it might be a good idea to come prepared with some spikes to strap onto your hiking boots. even when visiting in June and July, you will most likely encounter snow on some trails. You can find some budget friendly options on Amazon.
Camelbak or Nalgene– You should always be prepared and hike with plenty of water. Even if you are hiking in the cold, your body needs to be replenished. Camelbaks are a great option to keep your hands free and you are likely to drink more water.
Camera– Of course you won’t be able to capture your pixel perfect memories without a camera. Camera preference is your own, DSLR, GoPro, smart phone, etc.
Hat & Sunglasses– Since you are hiking up in elevation, you are more prone to sunburn. Be sure to protect your skin! Check out Amazon for some great deals!
Hiking Poles– I would recommend these if you have any knee issues as they are very helpful especially on the decline of many hikes. If you are unfamiliar with what hiking poles are best for you, I recommend checking out REI and seeing all of their great outdoor gear.
Jacket– No matter what time of year you take this trip, be sure to pack some sort of jacket. Even in the summer months, the desert gets cool at night. Check out The North Face or Patagonia for some great outdoor apparel.
Snacks- You can’t forget the snacks! With all of the hiking and exploring, you will also want snacks to fuel your body so you can keep up with your adventures. You use and burn more energy than you think hiking, so be sure to pack some high energy and salty snacks.
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Remember to always respect our wonderful planet and national parks and leave no trace. Happy hiking!
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