Best trails in North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is a rugged, wilderness of conifer trees. The park features hiking trails along tree covered mountains that seem to stretch on forever, alpine meadows, impressive glaciers, the Skagit River, and stunning views of alpine lakes like Lake Ann or Diablo Lake. Scenic drives along the North Cascades Highway, boating on Ross Lake, climbing at Cascade Pass, Mount Shuksan, Mount Triumph, and Eldorado Peak, visiting the Stehekin Valley at the northern tip of Lake Chelan, and access to viewing wildlife such as grizzly bears, beaver, gray wolves, and over than 200 bird species are just some of your options.
Commercial boats and floatplanes are used to access the Stehekin area of the park. Please contact those services directly to ask about accessibility.
Top trails
Visitor info
No entrance fee or pass is required.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
North Cascades National Park does not charge an entrance fee, but the Interagency Access Pass allows pass holders to receive a 50% discount on other park amenities, such as camping.
The North Cascades Visitor Center, Sedro-Woolley information station, and Wilderness Information Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms.
Loaner wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and Braille and text materials are available.
Additional information about accessibility at North Cascades National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/accessibility-index.htm
The North Cascades Visitor Center, Sedro-Woolley information station, and Wilderness Information Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms.
The Golden West Visitor Center is likely accessible with assistance due to the steep and uneven surface on the approach. Orientation films include closed captioning.
The Newhalen, Goodell Creek, and Lower Hozomeen Boat Launch Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.
There are accessible restrooms at the following trailheads: Shadows of the Sentinal Trail, Skagit General Store, Gorge Creek Falls, Diablo Lake Overlook, Happy Creek Forest Walk, Rainy Lake Trail, Washington Pass Overlook, and Hozomeen Campground.
The Upper and Lower Goodell Group Campgrounds have 1 individual wheelchair accessible camping site each and wheelchair accessible restrooms.
The Newhalem Creek Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and wheelchair accessible restrooms.
The Colonial Creek Campground has 3 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and wheelchair accessible restrooms.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Guides
Trail reviews for North Cascades National Park
One of the best hikes I've ever done! The trail was in great condition and the views were spectacular. I highly recommend this hike to anyone in the North Cascades. I only brought 2L of water but desperately needed at least 3L; make sure you bring enough water. Also, the parking lot fills up early (7:30am on a Tuesday) so plan to get their early or be ready to add a mile to your hike to park on the road. My phone died halfway through the hike so my activity metrics are all off.
From Stehekin High Bridge to Cutthroat pass. North Cascades NP on the PCT is largely uninteresting
Headed to a park?
Take AllTrails with you
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in North Cascades National Park?
What is the longest trail in North Cascades National Park?
How many trails are in North Cascades National Park?
Which trail has the most elevation gain in North Cascades National Park?
Are there camping trails available in North Cascades National Park?
Are there running trails available in North Cascades National Park?
What are the best summer hikes in North Cascades National Park?
What are the best fall hikes in North Cascades National Park?
What are the best winter hikes in North Cascades National Park?
What are the best spring hikes in North Cascades National Park?
Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in North Cascades National Park?
Are there any trails with glaciers in North Cascades National Park?
Are there any trails with rivers in North Cascades National Park?
Are there any trails with lakes in North Cascades National Park?
Are there any trails with huts in North Cascades National Park?
Suitability
Points of interest
- Trappers Peak
- Mount Shuksan
- Eldorado Peak
- Inspiration Glacier
- Sahale Glacier
- Monogram Lake
- Copper Lake
- Sahale Mountain
- Davenport Glacier
- Quien Sabe Glacier
- Eldorado Glacier
- Copper Mountain Fire Lookout
- Hanging Glacier
- Upper Curtis Glacier
- Crystal Glacier
- Sulphide Glacier
- Lower Curtis Glacier
- White Salmon Glacier
- Sourdough Mountain Lookout
- Forbidden Glacier