North Cascades Activities

Camping

The North Cascades Area offers a full range of camping experiences. Whether your idea of camping is from a car, RV, boat, or a strenous trek into the wilderness, there is something for you here at North Cascades National Park.
Check the links above for more information on the camping experience of your choice. Keep in mind that reservations may not be needed ahead of your trip unless you wish to reserve a group camp or a nearby Forest campground. But, for all wilderness camping in the park, backcountry permits are required and can be obtained in person up to 24 hours before you enter the Wilderness.

Hiking

There are approximately 400 miles of maintained trails, many taking you steeply to absolutely breathtaking alpine scenery, and almost 140 designated backcountry campsites.Lower elevation trails are usually accessible from early April through mid-October. Higher elevation trails (which is most of the North Cascades backcountry), however, do not open until mid-July and remain accessible through late September.

Permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. Camping is only permitted at designated campsites or in a cross-country manner (which requires you to be more than 1/2 mile (.83 km) from trails and more than one mile (1.7 km) from designated campsites). Party size is limited to 12 (6 in cross-country zones) and campfires are prohibited in subalpine areas. Pets are not allowed on any trail in North Cascades National Park except the Pacific Crest Trail, where they must be on a leash. Leashed pets are allowed on trails within Ross Lake and Lake Chelan NRA.
A Wilderness Trip Planner and Trail Conditions Report are available to help you plan your trip. You should check for any permit requirements as well.

The Pacific Crest Trail, a designated National Scenic Trail extending from the California/Mexico border to the Washington/Canada border, passes through North Cascades National Park and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area coinciding with the Bridge Creek and other trails. For more information about the Pacific Crest Trail, contact the Pacific Crest Trail Association.
The 60-mile portion of the Pacific Northwest Trail which passes through North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is a designated National Recreation Trail. The Pacific Northwest Trail stretches from Glacier National Park in Montana to Cape Alava on the Pacific Ocean in Olympic National Park. The portion in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex skirts Ross Lake, goes up the Big Beaver Trail into the Little Beaver drainage and continues west over Whatcom and Hannegan Passes. For more information about this trail contact the Pacific Northwest Trail Association.

Climbing

The North Cascades provides the wilderness traveller with great challenges of physical endurance, route-finding and navigation through on-and off-trail hiking. The park contains climbing routes of high quality and aesthetic appeal, guarded by remote, rugged access and weather volatility, resulting in mountaineering experiences of solitude, mental and physical challenge , and fulfillment.
Rock and weather conditions are both severe in the North Cascades. The shear number of peaks and diversity of climbs challenge many mountaineers. Hazards of unfamiliarity confront even seasoned climbers on their first North Cascades climbs. Mountain climbing here requires previous experience; safe, adequate, tested equipment and gear; the best current, local information on weather and conditions that you can obtain; and good technical skill matched by caution and commonsense.

Boating and Fishing

Boating

River floating is an excellent adventure worth planning for. Experienced boaters run the Skagit, Nooksack and Stehekin Rivers. Ask for a list of local outfitters at any ranger station.

Kayaking, canoeing and motor boating are other options. Boat and paddling rentals are available at Baker Lake, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan. Ramps are located at Baker Lake, Gorge Lake, Diablo Lake, Lake Chelan and the north end of Ross Lake at Hozomeen. Personal watercraft (jet skis, etc.) are not allowed in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.

Fishing
Fishing in Washington, including in National Parks and Forests, requires a valid Washington State fishing license. The Skagit River, one of Washington's major watersheds, is home to seven species of anadromous fish (five salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout) and freshwater trout and char. Diablo and Gorge Lakes have been stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout, but Ross Lake, which has been left natural, offers quality sport fishing.

Lake Chelan has fresh water cod, trout and kokanee (land-locked salmon.) The Stehekin River offers rainbow and cutthroat trout.

In order to protect spawning fish populations, it is necessary to comply with special regulations including closures, seasons, catch limits and gear restrictions. This information is available in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Sport Fishing Regulations, available wherever licenses are sold, and on-line at: wdfw.wa.gov.