The North Cascades National Park Service Complex contains some of America's most beautiful mountain scenery, with high jagged peaks, ridges, slopes, and countless cascading waterfalls. There are glaciers marked by crevasses, permanent snowfields, sheer-walled cliffs, spires, and pinnacles. It embraces the crest of the North Cascades Mountains, and is bounded on the west by the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The Complex is composed of three parts: the North Cascades National Park, the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
North Cascades National Park
Few roads reach into the Park, but amazing views can be had on clear days from the North Cascades Visitor Center and along the North Cascades Highway at Goodell Creek, Diablo Lake Overlook, or other points.
Ross Lake National Recreation Area
The Ross Lake National Recreation Area protects its namesake lake and stretches of the Skagit River below the dams. As the North Cascades Highway corridor, it also divides the national park units.
Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
In the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area you can hike, boat, or fly to Stehekin at the head of Lake Chelan, but you can't drive there by car. A wilderness-edge community 50 miles up lake from Chelan, it is set amid towering mountains.
The western side of the North Cascades gets more rain, is cloudier, and has lower temperatures than the eastern side.
Approximately 93 percent of the Park and recreation areas is designated as the Stephen Mather Wilderness Area in the National Wilderness Preservation System.
See the Park's News, Newspaper, and New Release page for current information. |
| Fees: |
See the Park's Fees and Reservations page for details. |
| Hours: |
See the Park's Operating Hours and Seasons page for details. |
| Facilities: |
Visitor center, wilderness information center, public service center, restrooms, drinking water, trails, wayside exhibits, and a bookstore. |
| Directions: |
The park is divided by Washington 20, which runs from Burlington (I-5) on the east to Okanogan on the west, with branch routes to Baker Lake and the Cascade River. |
| Coordinates: |
Map Coordinates (NAD83): 48 40.00N; 121 15.00W. |
| Weather: |
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| Regulations: |
- Climbers should register before making ascents. Most climbing accidents occur when climbers ignore recommended procedures. Ask a ranger for advice and report on local conditions.
- Check at the Visitor Center or with a Ranger for boating regulations.
- Hunting is not permitted in North Cascades National Park. Trapping is not permitted in the Park or recreation areas, but hunting is permitted in parts of the recreation areas in season. A valid Washington state hunting license is required, and State laws apply.
- Washington state fishing licenses are required, and State laws apply.
- Pets are prohibited in the National park, except on a leash on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Pets are permitted on a leash in the recreation areas.
- Mushroom collecting is prohibited within the Park Service Complex, but is allowed on some State and national forests. Check with a local ranger station for rules.
- See National Park Service Restrictions and Regulations.
- See Pets in the Parks and Backcountry.
- See Encountering Wild Animals.
Northwest Forest Pass
The Northwest Forest Pass is a vehicle pass required at all designated recreation sites in Washington and Oregon. For more information, visit our Northwest Forest Pass page.
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| Precautions: |
- The waters of Ross, Diablo, and Gorge lakes, and Lake Chelan, can be extremely cold from glacial runoff and melting snowfields. Sudden summer storms can lead to hypothermia. Take proper precautions.
- Before you drink any water from any untreated source, treat it by an approved method.
- Use extreme caution outside of developed areas. Falls in rugged terrain have resulted in fatalities.
- There are bears in the Park and recreation areas. Use caution and follow good bear country practices.
- Be prepared for insects. You may encounter mosquitoes, wasps, bees, biting flies, and ticks. After hiking, check for ticks, which may carry Lyme Disease.
- There are very limited gas and food services between Marblemount and Winthrop. It is recommended that travelers have sufficient gasoline and food to enjoy the almost 90 miles between these two towns.
- See Backcountry Considerations.
- See Backcountry Emergencies.
- NPS News Updates.
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