Location

Northwest Washington State; headquarters west of the park in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

Visitation

Highest in August; lowest in January. Averages just under 400,000 per year.

Address

Headquarters
North Cascades NPS Complex
2105 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Telephone

(360) 856-5700 voice
(360) 856-5700 ext.310 TDD

Operating Hours & Seasons

The park and recreation areas are always open, but access is limited by snow in winter. Note that State Route 20 (North Cascades Scenic Highway), the major access to Ross Lake NRA, is partially closed from approximately mid-November to mid-April. Exact opening and closing dates depend on weather, snow depths, and avalanche hazards.

Climate & Recommended Clothing

Generally, the best weather for visiting the North Cascades occurs between mid-June and late-September. Snow is usually off all but the highest trails by July (though this can vary greatly from year to year). Summer storms can be common: always be prepared for a few days of rain and wind. Particularly if you are going into high and remote areas, take good, light rain gear and a tent. Warm, waterproof clothing and a tent are virtually mandatory for spring, fall and winter trips into the backcountry. Heavy snow and rain, depending on elevation, characterize the North Cascades from fall into spring.

Directions

Access to the North Cascades and Ross Lake area is from I-5 at Burlington, west of the mountains, and Twisp, on the east, following Washington State Route (SR) 20 with branch routes to Baker Lake and the Cascade River.

The only road access to the shore of Ross Lake is via the Silver-Skagit Road (gravel) from near Hope, British Columbia.

Hiking access and roadside views, of the northwest corner of the park, are available from SR 542, east from Bellingham. (Note: All access roads that lead into the National Park itself are gravel roads.)

The main access to Stehekin, in the Lake Chelan NRA, is by float plane from the town of Chelan on Hwy. 97, by boat (Lake Chelan Boat Company) from Chelan, Field's Point (17 miles north of Chelan), or air (Chelan Airways). There is no road access into Stehekin, or any other part, of Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. (Note: During summer months visitors can reach this area via hiking trails.)

Two roads, both gravel, enter North Cascades National Park: the Cascade River Road from Marblemount and the Stehekin Valley Road. Note that the latter does not connect to any roads outside the Stehekin Valley.

Transportation

To Park
Access by Interstate Highway (I-5) and various state highways; Seattle is serviced by an international airport (SeaTac). Mount Vernon has bus service and an Amtrak station. Chelan has bus service. No bus or train service into the park or recreation areas.

In Park
Personal vehicle, bicycle, bus (in Stehekin Valley only), rental boats (outboard, canoe, kayak: Ross Lake only), and commercial ferry (Lake Chelan).

Note: Mountain and trail bikes, as well as all other motorized and mechanized equipment, are prohibited on all Park trails.

Fees, Costs, Rates

No admission fees.

There are bus services in the Stehekin Valley (Lake Chelan National Recreation Area) provided by the NPS and the Stehekin Adventure Company. Service along Stehekin Valley Road from Stehekin Landing to High Bridge (11 miles/18 km), will be available May 22 through October 11, 1999. The NPS is now providing service from High Bridge 4.6 miles to Bridge Creek (Pacific Crest Trail). It is anticipated that the shuttle will begin operating to Glory Mountain (20.1 miles from Stehekin Landing and the present end of the road) by July 24. From Glory Mountain it is an 11.2 mile (17.9 km) hike over Cascade Pass to the Cascade River Road. Changes in the channel of the Stehekin River prevent use of the road by vehicles beyond Glory Mountain. The buses provide access to many trailheads along the Stehekin Valley Road. Reservations are not needed for the Stehekin Adventure bus but are highly recommended (and required May 22 - June 17) for the NPS shuttle buses due to their smaller capacity. To make a reservation, call (360) 856-5700 extension 340, then 14.

One-way fares for either shuttle bus are: $5.00 per adult and $3.00 per child (12 and under) between Stehekin Landing and High Bridge. An additional $5.00/adult, $3.00/child, $3/bicycle is charged each way for the NPS shuttle bus between High Bridge and Bridge Creek or Glory Mountain.

Reservations can also be made in person when obtaining the free backcountry permit needed for overnight backpacking trips into the national park or recreation area.

Facilities and Opportunities

Visitor Center, Exhibits

The North Cascades Visitor Center is located near Newhalem (milepost 120 on State Route 20) in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. The visitor center is open daily from mid-April to mid-November from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm with extended hours from July through Labor Day. It is also open Saturday and Sunday through most of the rest of the year. Call the park (360/856-5700) for current schedule.

The Golden West Visitor Center is located at Stehekin Landing in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The center is open mid-March through mid-October, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm during the summer and shorter hours during the remainder of that period.

Trails, Roads

The park maintains 386 miles (618 kilometers) of trails throughout the North Cascades Complex. The trails vary in degree of difficulty and access. Information on specific trails is available by calling the Wilderness Information Center at (360) 873-4500 May through September or park headquarters at (360) 856-5700 the rest of the year. Check on trail conditions before hiking.

A free permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry. These must be obtained in person only, on the first day of your trip or the day before. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits can be obtained at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount (for any area of the backcountry) or the Golden West Visitor Center (for hikes starting in the Stehekin Valley) or the Glacier Public Service Center (for hikes starting from the Mt. Baker Highway).

The most up-do-date and complete information on trail and climbing conditions is available at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount (near milepost 105 on State Route 20) or the Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin. These are the best places to obtain backcountry information and permits.

Please Note: The snowpack in the North Casades Mountains as of June 1, 1999, is over 200% of normal for this time of year. Hikers need to anticipate high streams, high avalanche danger, and later meltouts of mountain passes and high trails. Check at a ranger station before starting your hike.

Programs, Activities

Most scheduled programs take place July through September and during winter holidays. Regularly scheduled programs during the summer range from talks and demonstrations at the visitor centers to guided hikes, children's programs, and evening presentations in the campgrounds. Topics span a wide range of natural and cultural history. The park complex has many wayside exhibits, museum exhibits at both visitor centers, and 5 self-guiding interpretive trails. The Newhalem Creek Rockshelter Trail (universally accessible), with interpretation about archeology and the long span of human activity in the North Cascades, was completed in late May 1998. It is located off State Route 20 near the town of Newhalem in Ross Lake NRA. The Golden West Gallery in the visitor center at Stehekin features a new exhibit of locally and regionally produced arts and crafts related to the experience of people in the North Cascades every 3 weeks during the summer. For up-to-date information call (360) 856-5700.

Lodging and Camping Facilities in the Park

There is no lodging in North Cascades National Park itself. Ross Lake National Recreation Area has the concession-operated Ross Lake Resort (206) 386-4437, consisting of cabins on floats moored near the lower end of Ross Lake. At Stehekin Landing is the concession-operated North Cascades Stehekin Lodge (509) 682-4494. There are a variety of other privately provided services, including lodging, in Stehekin.

For information on lodging in the Park Complex please write or call (360) 856-5700 or contact the Chambers of Commerce, for the towns near the Park.

West Side

Mt. Vernon

360/428-8547

Sedro-Woolley

360/855-1841

Concrete

360/853-7042

Marblemount

360/873-2250

East Side

Winthrop

1-888-4METHOW
509/996-2125

Methow Valley Central Reservations

509/996-2148
1-800-422-3048

Chelan

509/682-3503
1-800-4-CHELAN

Wenatchee

509/662-2116
1-800-57-APPLE

All three areas of the Park Complex have backcountry camps and roadside campgrounds, though those along the Stehekin Valley Road cannot be reached via road from outside the recreation area. The NPS shuttle bus can drop off campers at the campgrounds along the Stehekin Valley Road from mid-May through mid-October. No reservations are available for frontcountry (car accessible) camp sites within the Park Complex. See the latest issue of the park newspaper (Challenger) for a list of public campgrounds.

Food, Supplies

Available in Concrete, Marblemount, Newhalem (limited), Chelan, and Stehekin (limited) areas.

Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities

A number of outfitters have permits to outfit and guide horseback trips, hiking trips, technical climbs, and float trips.

The NPS and U.S. Forest Service operate an information station at 2105 State Route 20 in Sedro-Woolley to the west of the park. The NPS also assists the U.S. Forest Service in staffing information stations at Glacier, Washington, on Rt. 542 and at the Chelan Ranger Station in Chelan.

Accessibility

The North Cascades Visitor Center, Sedro-Woolley information station, and Wilderness Information Office are fully accessible. The approach to the Golden West Visitor Center is an unpaved, sloping path which can be negotiated with assistance. There is a ramp into the center itself. At Stehekin, a shuttle van equipped with a wheelchair lift is available for transportation up valley to High Bridge. The Sterling Munro Trail at the North Cascades Visitor Center and the Happy Creek Forest Walk at milepost 135 on the North Cascades Highway are fully accessible boardwalk paths. The former leads 300 feet (99 meters) to a spectacular view across the forest canopy to the rugged Picket Range. The latter is a 1/3 mile (1/2 kilometer) loop through ancient forest. The River Loop Trail and the Newhalem Creek Rockshelter Trail, both in the vicinity of the North Cascades Visitor Center, are accessible trails with good surface and less than 8% grade throughout. The Rockshelter Trail ends in a boardwalk providing a view and interpretation of an archeological site.

Call the National Park office for additional accessibility information, particularly concerning getting to and around Stehekin.

Special Needs

Visitor parking is available at each site. Please note that dogs are permitted in the front and backcountry of the national recreation areas as long as they are under physical restraint (6 foot --1.8 meters) maximum leash length).

Dogs are not permitted in the backcountry of the national park except along the Pacific Crest Trail, where leashed dogs are permitted.

Recommended Activities & Park Use

Backcountry camping, hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife and bird watching, scenery viewing, boating. Facilities include hiking trails, horse rentals nearby, small boat rentals, and professional guide, climbing, packtrain services.

Reservations & Permits

Camping: No reservations are available for camp sites except those sites designed for groups. Free backcountry permits are required for all overnight camping in the backcountry areas of the North Cascades NP Complex. Permits are issued in person only, on the day the trip is to begin or the day before. Camping is only permitted at designated sites or in a cross-country manner, which requires being more than 1/2 mile (.8 kilometers) from trails and more than one mile (1.6 kilometers) from designated campsites. Permits are available from park offices and ranger stations as described above under "Trails, Roads". For more information write the Wilderness District Office, 7280 Ranger Station Road, Marblemount, WA 98267. Or call (360) 873-4500.

Party Size Limits: Much of the Park Complex is designated Wilderness. The number of people allowed per group in the backcountry is regulated to protect wilderness values. Parties using trails and established camps have a size limit of 12 people for day and/or overnight trips; where stock are permitted, the limit is 12 pairs of eyes. In designated crosscountry areas near Mt. Shuksan, Eldorado, and Forbidden Peak, party size limit is also 12. The party size limit for all other crosscountry areas is 6 pairs of eyes.

Campfires: wood fires are only permitted in forested, low elevation areas where iron firegrates are provided at designated sites. Consider using a backpacking stove instead.

Grazing: Grazing is not permitted in the Park. Adequate feed should be carried for horses.

Fishing: A Washington State fishing license, available locally, is required for fishing.

Hunting: No hunting or firearms allowed in the national park. Hunting in the recreation areas requires compliance with Washington State regulations.

Pets: Dogs, cats, and other pets, are not permitted on the trails or in the cross-country areas, within the National Park (except the Pacific Crest Trail, where leashed dogs are permitted).

Mountain and Trail Bikes: Mountain & trail bikes, as well as other motorized and mechanized equipment, are prohibited on all trails in the Park Complex. They are permitted on paved and unpaved roads not closed to entry.

Basic Minimum Visit Recommendations

Take a drive on State Route 20, the North Cascades Scenic Highway, through Ross Lake National Recreation Area with stops at the North Cascades Visitor Center, Diablo Lake Overlook, and other scenic pullouts. A short walk on the Happy Creek Forest Walk (milepost 135 along SR 20) will give you a sense of the old growth forest in the North Cascades. There are several short hikes to take in the vicinity of the North Cascades Visitor Center. Then travel to Stehekin via trail or boat or float plane from Chelan and stay several days. Stop at the Golden West Visitor Center for advice on walks and hikes in the Stehekin area and for backcountry permits.

Special Events & Programs

Earth Day and Week are marked each year with special guided hikes, talks, potluck, etc. at the North Cascades Visitor Center and elsewhere in Ross Lake National Recreation Area.

The Golden West Gallery in the Golden West Visitor Center at Stehekin during the summer features new exhibits every 3 weeks of work by artists and craftspeople of the area. Workshops and other programs by the exhibitors demonstrate or explain their work and how the landscape of the North Cascades has inspired them.

The North Cascades Institute, a non-profit educational institution working cooperatively with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, offers adult seminars and environmental education programs for children in and around the North Cascades. For a catalog and other information, write North Cascades Institute, 2105 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, Washington 98284, or call (360) 856-5700 ext. 209.

The North Cascades National Park Service Complex receives assistance in providing various facilities and services from Washington's National Park Fund. For information about the Fund, call 206/770-0607, write 2112 Third Avenue, Suite 501, Seattle, Washington 98121, or go to the Fund's web-site at http://www.wnpf.org.

Visitor Impacts

For your safety and to preserve the wildness of the park's fauna, while camping in the North Cascades always store your food secure from animals. In the backcountry, hang food and other items with fragrance at least 10 feet (3 meters) up and 4 feet (1.2 meters) out from the nearest tree trunk.

Check stream conditions before starting trips. Be cautious crossing streams.
Crossing snowfields may require special equipment, as does crossing glaciers.
Fragile vegetation, such as heather, particularly in subalpine areas, is easily damaged by foot traffic.
Practice Leave No Trace hiking and camping techniques to minimize your impact on wilderness.

Adjacent Visitor Attractions

• Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
  (Heather Meadows, Mt. Baker, Baker Lake, Skagit Wild and Scenic River)
• Okanogan National Forest
• Wenatchee National Forest
• Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
• San Juan Island National Historical Park

• Skagit Valley Provincial Park
• Manning Provincial Park
• Cathedral Provincial Park

• Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
• Mount St. Helens National Monument (U.S. Forest Service)
• Mt. Rainier National Park
• Olympic National Park

The North Cascades National Park Service Complex is in the middle of millions of acres of public lands, including much Congressionally designated wilderness. The Pacific Crest Trail, stretching from Mexico to Canada, passes through the area. The Pacific Crest Trail Association can provide information on hiking the entire trail.

Additional Information

Write to:

Superintendent
North Cascades NPS Complex
2105 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

or call: 360/856-5700 TDD 360/856-5700 ext.310

or you can request Visitor Information by e-mail. If you are requesting that information be mailed to you, please be sure to include your name and address. Be sure to check the North Cascades National Park expanded web site first. It may provide much of the information you would like to have.