If you drive just over 2 hours northeast of Seattle’s airport, you will find a dream destination for nature lovers and adventurous people, the North Cascades National Park. The park has everything from an outdoor adventure, hiking trails to breathtaking views.
You can drive through roads crossing crystal clear rivers, the mountain peaks, and the pine forests. The park is filled with tall trees, mountain lakes, glaciers making it perfect for photography. The park is also popular for rafting. The most loved thing about North Cascades it’s not crowded like other national parks. If you like to go for longer trails, there are plenty of those off the highway but make sure to check on the weather before setting off.
The park is divided into three sections Ross Lake National Recreation Area, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and North Cascades National Park. This three-section together is called the North Cascades National Park.
Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park:
The best time to visit North Cascades National Park is from mid-June through mid-September. There are possibilities for a summer storm so be prepared if you are planning to visit North Cascades. The park is open throughout the year for 24 hours a day.
Expenses to Visit North Cascades National Park:
There is no entry fee for North Cascades National Park, but there is a fee for activities and campsites.
Camping Fee:
Goodell Creek Campground: There are 19 sites for tents or smaller RV’s. The campground provides drinking water, garbage service, and vault toilets provided. No hook-ups or showers. The capacity for lower Group sites maximum of 50 people, 25 vehicles per site. The capacity for the upper Group maximum of 30 people, 10 vehicles per site. Its cost $75 per night for reservations.
Gorge Lake Campground: The campground has 7 sites for tents or smaller RV’s. The campground provides vault toilets, garbage, and recycling. It cost $20 per night for reservations.
Colonial Creek Campground: 10 walk-in tent-only sites
Hozomeen Campground: The campground has 75 sites. It has no reservation first-come, first-served with no fee
Things to Do in North Cascades National Park:
Ross Lake:
Ross Lake is a US national recreation area. It offers everything from hiking to fishing. It also has the best viewpoint. They even have boat-in camps are available in the shores of Ross Lake. All campsites are contained bear-resistant food storage boxes, picnic tables, vault toilets, and fire-rings.
Ladder Creek Falls:
Ladder Creek Falls is perfect to visit anytime, but the real draw is the light show that runs from dusk to midnight. It’s a short trail you also get to cross the suspension bridge which leads to the breathtaking viewpoint of waterfalls
Rainy Lake:
If you are with your kids and looking for a safer trail Rainy Lake is the perfect one to choose. Its surrounded by peaks and beautiful waterfalls. The path to the lake is accessible for stroller and wheelchair. Rainy Lake has picnic and shore fishing areas so you can enjoy your holidays with your family.
Blue Lake Trail:
Blue Lake Trail is a short trail perfect for any age group. It’s over two trail miles from Highway 20 with forests, meadows, granite peaks, and you also get to see wildflowers