North Cascades National Park

Truly such a wonderful park. Very few people actually end up making it to this one due to the distance you have to travel to get there, but let me tell you that it is so worth it. The mountains are gorgeous. The water is gorgeous. Everything is gorgeous. While there are quite a few intense hikes, there are a few "easier" ones as well. Even just driving through the park you will receive stunning views with lovely pullouts. If you're on the fence about this park, just go. You won't regret it. (Yes the water really is that color)

In June 2025, we visited the North Cascades National Park. Despite the rain and the moist climate, the scenery was spectacular. We came in from the East Side through Washington Pass. Gorge Creek was amazing, and moss grows everywhere, due to the moist climate. We would love to return and explore more of North Cascades National Park. I highly recommend visiting here, as it is one of the many marvels and wonders of nature.

I can't give it 5 stars, as trails signs are disappointing. For the Thunder Creek trail, I could not find the head trail. Apparently, it was hiding behind a camping place. Also when I walked it, after the bridge there were no clear signs how to proceed; people got lost and confused. It's recommended to start at the visitor center, to figure out which trails are good for you. Some of the trails which are in the forest area, require either a specific registration (for example beautiful USA annual pass) or extra payment. The places of the trails heads are referred by the milage within the 20E road. Generally speaking, his works pretty well. My recommendation is the blue lake trail in mile 161 of the 20e. It's in the forest part, so make sure that you are covered for this one. The views are awesome, and there is something for everyone. If you're lucky, you may encounter some wildlife, as well.

Beautiful and much less visited than most national parks. Unbelievable Alpine views and challenging hikes that lean more towards mountaineering at high altitude in June. Check out current conditions before jumping in, many early season hikes will require microspikes, poles, and even an ice axe if you need to brake.

It's a really underrated National Park. What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in sheer natural beauty. Keep in mind there are not a lot of easy hikes available in this park. Most hikes are very steep, and pretty long, but the views are totally worth it. The visitor center at/next to Newhalem is really nice and worth a look.

Nice drive to this park. We are staying about 1 hour and 40 minutes away in La Conner. Visitors center was very nice. Well organized and lots of information in the interpetive area. I chatted with the Park Ranger about hikes I would like. Great suggestions. Funny common ground we are both from Michigan. I suggest if you hike the Ladder Falls trail be sure to follow the signs to the bathroom and Gallery behind the Gorge power house. Awesome information on the dams and how electricity is produced. I am sure do many people miss this. The hike to the observation platform to the falls has done steep steps but well worth it. I also hike the “Trail of Cedars” trail. I enjoyed the interpretive signs lots of great information. The suspension bridge was fun, the Skagit River is beautiful such an amazing shade of aquamarine. On the way home we ate at Mando’s restaurant delicious hamburgers

What a fantastic Park for hiking and views. Approximately 2.5 hours east of Seattle, it's accessible, but feels remote. SR 20 is the only way to access the Park and there are limited places to stay the further you go. Unlike some of the other Parks, there are no "National Park Lodges" in the Park; but that shouldn't stop you from visiting. We stayed in Marblemount. If you're a hiker and/or a camper, this Park has multiple options and compares nicely with other northwestern parks; and like many of the Nat. Parks in the Pacific Northwest, there are multiple water features to access.

El Diablo is as good as advertised. We also did the Thunder Knob and Blue Lake trails. Both were nice but Blue Lake was phenomenal even though it’s a ways further. We made a day trip of it and hit Winthrop too, which was a cute little mountain town with good food.

One of the least visited national parks, North Cascades got about 40,000 visitors last year. More remote than some of the other parks we've been to, but still easily reached and explored by car. Right off the bat, if you like to look at and take pictures with the park signs, North Cascades has an absolutely gorgeous and unique one. Definitely stop to take a picture. Nice Visitor center - surprisingly big with a good bookstore, information, rangers, and clean bathrooms. Walk behind the center to the end of the boardwalk for a gorgeous view! The River Loop Trail also starts here and is an easy walk with nice views of the forest and river. Taking the scenic drive along highway 20 through the park is a must. It's beautiful, and if you don't have much time to spend, it's the best way to maximize your visit. We stopped in Skagit to see the suspension bridge and do the Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk. As far as bridges go, it's a pretty one - definitely walk across it and enjoy the beauty of the Skagit River. The trail is right on the other side - super easy 0.3 mile loop trail that's quick and fun. They also have a nice general store that has a good espresso bar. Gorge Creek Falls is worth a nice, quick stop. You can see the falls in the distance from the viewpoint as well as gorgeous views of the water. You can see the waterfall better, though, from the bridge nearby. Have to stop at Diablo Lake - the water is unlike anything else and so beautiful. They have a really nice overlook you can stop at - highly recommend. Our last stop before heading back was Washington Pass Overlook - the highest point of the scenic drive. You can easily walk to the first lookout and be done or you can do the 0.3 mile loop - a little moderate but well-worth the views. Overall, we had a lovely time here. Worth a nice visit.

The most underrated National Park that I've been to by date. This place takes my breath away! Such a beautiful park. Every turn is just breath taking. It is considered more remote than other parks but the drive is super easy!

We finally got to drive the Cascade loop since not winter and oh my! Beautiful drive and views and the national park center was great too. Also it's free to get in, can't beat that! Just follow the signs and if you have 5 vehicles behind you, it's the law to use the pullouts so people can pass! Definitely stop at Double Barrel BBQ for food in Sedro Woolley too!

One of the lesser known National Parks but not because there's nothing great about it. It just happens to get over looked by the usual suspects like Yosemite, Glacier National Park, Sequoia, etc. But let me tell you 100% that this national park is legit and should be added to your bucket list! And because it's not as popular that means less crowds of people which is a major plus! And without the large crowds this national park just feels more calm and makes you take in and appreciate the surroundings just a tad bit more. It's got everything you're looking for. Turquoise blue lakes/rivers, snow capped mountains, waterfalls, and hikes. I only wished we could've stayed longer to explore and do more hiking.

We did backpacking via Cascade pass to Basin Creek camp, then the next day traced back including the side trip to Sahale Glacier. Fantastic 1 night/2 days backpacking. We came here spontaneously due to other backpacking trip was cancelled due to road closure. We went to the wilderness center and found one spot open at Basin Creek at 2 pm on the day. We jumped on the trail and we were at the camp at 7 pm. Next day's Sahale Glacier was super amazing. Love the North Cascades NP.

Beautiful views and lucked out with awesome weather. We did the Ross Lake trail and went to the cabins, where you can pay $4 per person to take a boat ride back across. Fun adventure

If nature is the best medicine, then North Cascades National Park should be considered one of the most coveted drugs out there. This park. It's just... breathtaking to say the least. The stunning North Cascades Mountain Range, the glistening waters of Diablo Lake, the amazing lush forests and super scenic hiking trails; All of it is quite mesmerizing and very deserving of a visit. North Cascades National Park isn't as easily accessible as Washington's two other National Parks (Mount Rainier and Olympic). In fact, it could take you about 3.5 hours to drive here from Seattle's city center. But a visit to this park is absolutely worth it (even if you only have a day to spend here). If you're driving in from Seattle, the Marblemount Wilderness Information Center is a great place to stop for information about hiking trails and park maps. You can also retrieve backcountry permits here. It's not a full visitor's center, but there are restrooms and rangers on site. It's also a lot less crowded then the official visitor's center. From Marblemount, you can continue on Highway 20 to the official visitor's center. You can purchase souvenir's and detailed maps here. They do have rangers on site, but since this is the official visitor's center, it will be busy. I'd recommend getting all of your trail and park info from the Marblemount Wilderness center to avoid delays. After you pass the visitor's center and Newhalem, you'll be in the most popular part of the park. I hiked the beautiful Thunder Knob trail and spent some time at Diablo Lake. The Thunder Knob trail is a great short but moderate hike that has some incredible views of the North Cascades. I'd highly recommend a stop at Diablo Lake. First of all, this "lake" is super beach like and has a thin layer of sand where you lay out and relax. The aqua hue is striking, and the water is so clean and clear. You can swim, paddle board, canoe, kayak... just about any kind of water maneuver. I did get in the water and it felt amazing. Parking is limited though, so you should definitely plan to arrive super early and be prepared to park of the road and walk a bit further to get there. If you have multiple days to spend here, this park is actually huge! There are so many park overlooks, hiking trails, and campgrounds. There's also a scenic drive that will take you around the entire park and it features several stop offs. That drive alone can take you an entire day to complete! The views of the North Cascades Mountain Range is absolutely stunning! You'll be able to see this beautiful backdrop all throughout the park. What's nice is that there's snow on the mountains year around here, so you'll always have a wonderful view of the snowcapped mountains. Also can't forget to mention all of the amazing waterfalls along the way! Gorge Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall that's located right outside of the visitor's center. The Diablo Lake and Ross Lake Overlooks are pretty charming too. I mean, the views are literally endless here. You cannot get bored at this park as there is just so much to do. Don't let the longer drive discourage you from making a trip to this national because it's truly a beauty that mustn't be missed.

Simply gorgeous, one of the prettiest places I've had the pleasure of visiting. We recently worked this park into a road trip around northern WA, and our time here exceeded our expectations. We spent 2 nights at Newhalem Campground, using the time there to hike the 5 trails and check out the visitor center, all directly accessible right from our site. So much to say about the campground, I'll be doing a separate review for it. With a hefty number of trails, amazing viewpoints, and waterfalls around every bend, we found ourselves smiling nonstop. Outside of the trails in Newhalem we checked out Gorge Creek Falls and took the loop...saw Ketchum Creek Falls...spent time at the Diablo and Ross Lake Overlooks...walked up to Washington Pass overlook and took the scenic loop, hiked the Happy Creek Forest Walk and trail to the falls...and stopped at multiple other stunning sites and falls. We enjoyed every single stop and hike and recommend them all. Jaw dropping beauty abounds, whether you're a hiker or a drive-thru road tripper. While we were there a lot of trails and roads were still inaccessible, but we weren't at all short on fun. Pictures don't do this place justice. We can't wait to return, so much more to see and hike!

This NP is truly stunning in its own unpretentious way. I spent about 6 hours tooling around in different parts and was blown away but how quiet and tranquil my experience was. Granted it's a little early in the season and I couldn't see everything since not even the whole main road is opened up. But it's lush, green, and temperate in lat April. Couldn't see the Ladder Falls as the suspension bridge was locked and the Visitors Center was closed which wEre bummers, but Newhalem is relaxing and quaint, the Trail of Cedars is nice, HWY 20 through the park is stunning all over, the waterfalls are plentiful, and Diablo Lake Trail is just the right amount of difficulty that you don't feel like a total slouch for taking it easy and riding around for most of the day. Highly recommend this park and would love to come back when all is opened up and explore Happy Panther Trail among others.

No lines to wait to get in. We did display our National pass. AC in the Visitors center. Bathrooms were clean and there is a water fountain right outside. BOok early for camp sites: Colonial Camp Ground near #78 was nice. It's right by the lake and it's shady. Bathrooms were clean. I did not see showers though. Parking spot is also reserved. Bring your Kayak and SUP board! Launch area is rocky. There is a small town called Concrete, WA with small store. There is also a general store near by.

I'd like to apologize to everyone for my initial review. I was new to Yelp back in 2015 and really didn't provide much detail about visiting here other than to come on by during the summer months. Well, fast forward 5 years later... Yes! I returned to North Cascades National Park! And I have much more insight to provide from my experience. Alright...North Cascades NP is terrific! It's 5 stars! For me...it's one of the Top 10 best National Parks in the country! I had such a fulfilling time here during my cross country road trip back in August. I feel quite grateful to be writing about this place right now...and I certainly felt humbled during my exploration of such a beautiful park! I came into the park from eastern entrance near the town quaint town of Winthrop and drove Highway 20 (the main road traversing North Cascades) for about 87 miles through the heart of the park and ending in the mountain town of Marblemount. Along this Highway 20...there were plenty of wonderful roadside stops for scenic views and hiking trails. Just even driving through the entrance of North Cascades...the scenery and mountainous sights were quite impressive. Before I even made it to an attraction...I was pulling off the side of Highway 20 to snap pictures. The first main attraction I came upon was WASHINGTON PASS OVERLOOK. Washington Pass Overlook is FANTASTIC! Park in the lot and walk a short distance to an observation area for stunning appearances of the Cascades Mountains set in the background. I was in awe of what I was witnessing. Absolutely stop at Washington Pass. Next up is RAINY PASS TRAILHEAD. A 2 mile round trip hike leading to a gorgeous view of a blue lake within a mountain backdrop. This sparkling alpine lake is surrounded by jagged peaks and massive waterfalls! Now entering the Ross Lake Recreation Area...DIABLO LAKE OVERLOOK! Holy, oh wow. Granted I stopped here on a clear sunny day without a cloud in the sky...but the scenery at the observation viewpoint overlooking Diablo Lake left me speechless! The waters of Diablo Lake were turquoise green! I swear one of the most stunning views I can remember. All I can fondly think about is the colorfully green waters. This Diablo Lake Overlook was epic, and one of the most memorable moments within North Cascades. Next I parked at the base of Diablo Lake at COLONIAL CREEK CAMPGROUND. I'd say this was about the midpoint of the park. For anyone interested...this Colonial Creek is a terrific spot for camping...and one of the only areas available to camp at...otherwise you have to find accommodations on the outskirts of North Cascades. Fortunately, I found a parking spot during this busy time of the year for visitors...and then walked over to the THUNDER KNOB TRAILHEAD for a worthwhile hiking experience to the peak over Diablo Lake from the opposite side of the famed overlook. Thunder Knob is a mild 3.6 mile round trip hike gaining 425 feet in elevation through a bunch of switchbacks up the mountain for rewarding views of Jack Mountain, Pyramid Peak, Colonial Peak and of course looking down among the green waters below. Granted...the shrubs and bushes atop Thunder Knob Trail could use a makeover and trimming because it's hard to see through some of the tall branches, otherwise I still found this pass worthwhile to enjoy more of the Ross Lake Recreation Area. Btw, nearby is Ross Lake Overlook, but after soaking up the sights at Diablo Lake you can skip this average looking viewpoint. Gorge Overlook Trail interesting roadside stop as you continue heading west. It "skirts the rim of the gorge with views of free-flowing cascades and the Gorge Dam". This short pathway allowed for more good views of a scenic river dividing the mountainous landscape and opportunities for pictures. It didn't take long and I enjoyed stopping here. Continuing east...the entrance sign to North Cascades National Park is a good pit-stop. Although...be careful when driving west as it's situated on the other side of the road facing east. So...go slow and you'll notice there being a small area to pull over and exit your car. This time around I was in a much better setting for pleasant picture moments with the sign. Finally I arrived at the Visitors Center! It was open!. Although during this summer of 2020 during the pandemic, the inside section was closed...on the outside sat Park Rangers with maps and info on questions you may have along with a stand to buy souvenirs and keepsakes. You can have your Parks Passport stamped as well. Right near the town of Marblemount...definitely hike CASCADES PASS TRAIL! For me, the BEST HIKE in North Cascades! A 7 mile difficult trek to Cascade Pass or even further beyond to breathe in the crisp mountain air amidst majestic peaks and glaciers. I used 2/3's of the day for Cascade Pass. Be careful, the unpaved dirt road to get here was BUMPY. Too bad I ran out of space and have to end this review abruptly. But North Cascades National Park - YOU MUST VISIT!

Maybe not as prestigious as Yosemite, Glacier or Yellowstone but definitely one of the must see National Parks.

This is one of the least visited national parks. When I told a Washington native that I was coming here, he didn't even know that this was was a national park. The main hike we did was Thunder Knob. There were some benches at the end for you to enjoy your lunch while looking down at Diablo Lake. Then we also walked down to enjoy the lake's turquoise waters. We also stopped at Gorge Creek Falls, Diablo Lake Overlook, and Ross Lake Overlook. We ended our day crossing the suspension bridge near the Gorge Powerhouse. Even though I have an irrational fear of crossing bridges, especially ones that move, I made it to the other side and back. I just tried not to look down. Overall, it was a nice relaxing day. I'm glad it's not as crowded as other national parks.

We didn't really know anything about this park, but we're doing a national park tour in Washington so decided to check it out. It's a pretty amazing park, and isn't super crowded. It's not easily accessible like, for example, Yellowstone. It's nice to drive through and you can see some of it, but, unlike Yosemite, you have to get well up into a hike to really see the coolest parts. Maple Pass and Cascade Pass to Sahale Arm we're both incredible hikes, they get you up into the mountains pretty quickly and the views are spectacular--snowy mountains in July, vivid green-blue lakes, and so much green. There's one visitor center and a separate ranger station, as far as we saw. A national park pass saves you from paying at the trailhead.

Driving the 20 east bound made for some beautiful scenery. Beautiful trees, rivers, stream, mountains with some that were snow capped in the middle of July, and wild life. I was surprised with how many dear there were on the side of the road. One always made its maker and damaged the rental, but luckily signs are posted to keep drivers on the alert. There are several, more view points along the 20 as you enter the National Forest which are worth stop, most in particular, Diablo Lake Overlook. It's worth the stop.

Just like the others, this is an absolutely breathtaking National Park. Undoubtedly, the highlight is Diablo Lake with its jaw dropping teal color from what they call "glacial flour". We stopped by their visitor center first, which opens at 9am to pick up a map, tips, and some souvenirs. They have a large room full of educational features and also had someone on-site with bear furs to educate us on the animals. Bathrooms there are really clean too. The first spot we headed to was the Diablo Lake overlook since we figured it'd get busier throughout the day. The view is stunning and offers ample parking. We decided to split our day into two moderate hikes. We did Thunder Knob first, which leads you to the most beautiful views of Diablo Lake. It's a steep-ish home, but very doable. Only took us a couple hours roundtrip. Our second hike was the Pyramid Lake hike, which was definitely steeper but super quiet. It leads you to this very secluded and small, but gorgeous reflective lake perfect for photos. This one also took us a couple hours roundtrip. Great workout! An incredible day trip for sure. You can kayak and swim in Diablo Lake too. There is no cell reception within the park so be sure to save maps to your phone beforehand!

The visitor center was more like a museum. Great informational displays and they even had a movie theater for PNW nature. They have am onsite ranger with hiking advice. What a great place to stop

Amazing National Park!!!! So much to see and not enough time. We hit the visitor center and talked to the ranger. She gave us some great hiking ideas along with some good waterfalls to see. You spend weeks exploring here.

North Cascades National Park is beautiful! I have been to different parts of the park, and it offers a lot! Because of the location of the park though, if you are looking to do some easy to medium day hikes, I feel like the only good months to go are between end of July-September. The mountains get a lot of snow and it sticks around for a while. I have back packed to Park Butte Fire Lookout, car camped at Goodell Creek Campground, seen the Gorge Look Vista Point, hiked Thunder Knob, and checked out the Diablo Lake viewpoint. All are amazingly beautiful sites. We camped this past weekend (10/21/16) at Goodell, and because of the time of year, campgrounds were free. But you have to bring your own water and lug out your own trash due to no services during off season. Diablo Lake is amazing! I found Gorge Lake to be a lil more blue green this time, but it might be due to weather. Definitely coming back!

This is a great summer drive. Hwy. 20 is closed in winter months due to heavy snow accumulations. Multiple turn-outs with nice facilities and views. Roads are well maintained and tons of hiking trails. The abundance of water, streams and lakes is great! Make the most of them, worth a few photos!

Delightful national park! I enjoyed gorgeous weather and a fun hike through this park. It also made for several great photos. I love taking time to relax by the water--so serene!

I used to take solo drives at night to clear my head and process hard things. Now I take those drives to see pretty things in the light of day. On Saturday, with Crowded House's Greatest Hits playing on repeat, I cruised part of the North Cascades Highway. My little 5s did not do the scenery justice. It was like a real life pop-up book at every turn! I was literally gripped against my steering wheel most of the way wanting to take it all in. I got as far as Diablo Dam/Lake and had a few encounters with heights that had me choking on my stomach. Talk about beauty and wonder, and humbling, as I realized just how small I am compared to the expanse and depth of this landscape. Fill up your gas tank, bring snacks and a decent camera. Keep an eye out for fresh fruit stands on your way in and out of the park. Lots of hiking and camping options, too.

What you've heard is true, this park ain't built for your average looky-loo. If you are a climber, a mountaineer, an alpinist, a backpacker, or an extreme backpacker: you'll definitely get the most out of this park. What do I mean? I mean most of the best sites and sounds in this park are had far away from the single road that winds through it. Is it still enjoyable if you're into the "read the plaque" then "take the photo" then "get back in the car" cadence? Yes, yes it is. But you might enjoy Washington's two other NP's more. There are lots of assorted hikes and trailheads riddled throughout the park. The trail that I'd say is, by far, the most bang-for-your-buck is the Cascade Pass trail. Classic Washington landscapes and lots of wildlife. I'd be surprised if you don't at least see a Hoary Marmot. It's a long way down a gravel road to access the trailhead, but it's definitely worth it. If you're a climber then, welcome to heaven! This is one of my favorite places in the world to climb. DISCLAIMERS: Winter access is pretty much non-existent. And winter lasts a while up here. Definitely check with the webpage/ranger stations before making the flight/drive up. The road usually opens sometime in June. There aren't many amenities in the park. Come with snacks and lots of water! Many popular climbs up here apparently require punishing permits now, which is a shame. I climbed them back when the policy wasn't so extreme, so I'm not up on the latest regs.

Holy moly! I've been here months ago trying to review it but never found the location for some odd reason. But I found it! Let me say that the North Cascades is a beautiful place. There are many more locations you can visit just by driving down the road! One of those being the famous Lake Diablo. This place took my breath away because it looks unreal. The water is green and the mountains fill your views. Makes me smile every time. When driving up and down the road you'll see stop places where you can rest/have lunch/look at the view. All of them I came across have amazing views! Would totally recommend this place and already have!

A top tier national park. Stunning views. Great hiking opportunities. Nice junior ranger program. Not as busy as some of the better known NPS sites. An absolute must visit.

This national park reminds me of Rocky Mountain NP. Same majestic rocky mountain landscape dotted with skinny pines. Lots of gorges and canyons. So, why just four stars? Not impressive enough for me. I've become desensitized to stunningly beautiful scenery on the West Coast and I'd like some ocean scenery in the same place along with some impressive trees a la Muir Woods to Stinson Beach (Dipsea Trail). The great thing about Seattle is that there are three national parks within driving distance and the people here don't live to work like they do in the SFBA. I don't get the time to explore national parks during the week because I always end up working long hours on weekdays, but the PNW has some great places to go play in on the weekends. Thou shall not overwork!

The North Cascades National Park was on our bucket list for a long time for places to go in the state. This past weekend we finally made it there and really enjoyed it! This National Park is a little bit different than some others. For one there is no fee to enter the park! If you stay on Highway 20 you may get the feeling that the park is understated but then the over the top sites and breath taking views and mountains fall into place once you get on the east side of the park. There is also some gorgeous views off of the main road as well. There are waterfalls throughout the whole park! Some are easy to stop and see while some others kind of sneak up on you and you are passed them before you can stop...and of course there isn't a good place to park. There are several dams in the park along with Ross Lake and Diablo Lake which are gorgeous sites! The Diablo Dam is probably the most picturesque of the dams. There are some towns...more like villages or settlements run by Seattle City Lights where much of Seattle lights come from. Those two settlements are Newhalem and Diablo. These settlements are very sleepy. They house mostly staff and their families that work for the power company. We stopped in Diablo to look around and had a great walk but it is a little eerie it is so dead. While there is a post office and a general store there it looks like they only function on an occasional basis. There are no bars, restaurants or churches here. There is a power plant though! While being just a casual tourist and staying on Highway 20 you will see plenty of sites but I feel to truly get a grasp on the majestic peaks and scenery that make up the North Cascades National Park one has to do it the old fashioned way and take to those trails and hike!

Nothing to not like. No entrance fee, lots of hiking, camping, things to see. Absolutely beautiful park. Some hiking trails a little challenging to find but really if that's my only nit it's a huge success. Come up here and take a look!

Colonial campground at Diablo Lake is AMAZING. The kind that you dream about! Densely wooded, green, moss, ferns, streams, lake, lots of space, secluded sites - absolutely beautiful. There are even three boat-in sites and awesome tents sites along the river, just follow the trail at the lower campground. You feel like you are in the forest. The sites on the lower side, yes there is camping even though it says "trail", are HUGE. Any RV of any size will have plenty of room, they literally have driveways. Hahaha. Sooo wonderfully secluded and large. The upper side has a few big ones, our trailer is 30 feet and we found a great one. Lots of swimming, kayaking and canoeing. Literally one of the most beautiful campgrounds ever.

Took a day trip here from Seattle, so I know I have much more of the park to explore! The park rangers at the visitor center were friendly and patient. At busier parks, sometimes you get rushed. We were mostly in the Recreation Area - where dogs are allowed. We did a couple of short hikes and drove to many viewpoints. It's a really beautiful place and I'm looking forward to coming back!

We stopped here on a road trip, and while I don't know that we would have made a point of going out of our way to see it, this visitor center was actually pretty cool and informative. If you're going through this park, definitely swing by the visitor center to see its exhibits. It's a spacious, well-lit building inside with comfortable seating, a gift shop, and some informative exhibits. The large light-up topographical map in the center of the room is pretty great! Inside the exhibit, you'll see a display comparing eggs of locally found birds, dioramas of local plants and animals during various seasons, and video displays. There's a cute stuffed banana slug that's big enough for kids to sit on, and some fun interactive things for little hands to explore. There's a wall-size map of the area and the rangers are happy to advise visitors on the best trails to hike based on their time, expertise, and preferences. The glass doors at the back lead out to a nice scenic viewpoint, too. If you're in the middle of a long drive, this is a clean, well-maintained place to stop and stretch your legs, take a bathroom break, and let kids and pets run around for a while before hitting the road.

Amazing park in spring, summer or fall. Glacier fed lakes of iridescent green, hundreds of miles of remote hiking trails through alpine meadows under rocky spires make this a one of a kind park experience. Get out here and get your boots dirty. One of my favorite hikes is the Pacific crest trail from Rainy pass north to cutthroat pass. On the south side of 20, try the Maple pass loop and Lake Ann.

North Cascades National Park is simply magnificent. Look at the photos, the area is just so beautiful. It truly is an escape to drive, trek, or hike here. The general area reminds me a bit of Mount Rainier National Park but without all the tourists and noise pollution that sometimes you get on a busy day at Mt. Rainier. The air is so clean & clear here though. I actually felt like I was being energized and detoxing just by breathing the air (disclaimer: this is a personal reflection and other users may not have the same thoughts or health benefits). Maybe it's due to the park being somewhat more remote and off the beaten path. You actually have to drive a bit to get there and it's not really near any major cities. This may explain why it feels so good to go there. I showed up a little later on a cool summer evening and the sun was just on it's way to the horizon to set. I rolled my windows all the way down and inhaled the beauty that surrounded me. After I found a parking space, which there were plenty of, I took a short walk through the forest and came to a river rushing nearby with all the fury that a river could from the snow and ice melting from the tops of the mountains nearby. The water.......gosh dang it it's so..........beautiful. So beautiful. I know some people say, "It's just water, why gets so choked up?" I respond that you must just stand there in silence and listen. Just be there in the moment. The water is a bubbly white or clean gray in places and then a sparkling emerald to a ocean like green-blue in other places. Nature is so marvelous that it can change by just walking a few feet in another direction. It's also extra super devoid of people in many areas so you can just listen to the animals in the trees or hustling on the ground below. There are many great photo opportunities here for nature lovers and animal lovers. I only saw a few deer and different types of birds whose names I don't know, but there is literature and path markers and information maps that state there is more out there the further you go. As mentioned, many parts of the park are very remote. Make sure to fill up on gas before your enter the park and if you want, maybe bring an extra jug. Bring plenty of food and clothing for all types of climates as the weather can change quickly, especially if you're hiking. For me, there was absolutely zero cellular service. It bordered on the line of having negative cell service...just kidding, but be aware of that just in case you have car trouble or something. As it's remote, people don't pass by you that often to help if you're in trouble and come to think of it, I didn't see many park rangers either even in the campsite areas, so fend for yourself and keep your eyes open. Also, the road system or lack there of in many places is very primitive. By very primitive, I mean that they are often muddy and full of pot holes and divots. Most of the gravel that may have been used to lessen the blow of the wear and tear on the roadway is gone but if it is there, be careful as if you're going too fast you can spin or fish tail and go off a cliff as there are no guardrails. Many of the roads further in are one lane primitive roads which can be tricky. It probably is best to have 4WD or some sort of traction. Bring everything you might need to get yourself out of danger as you probably won't be able to call anyone and walking back to a campsite or finding the ranger may be a couple of miles. With that said, don't let the road system or scary animals scare you away. This park is perfect to really feel like you're relaxed for one time in your life. So fill up your gas tank and head on up. You won't be disappointed.

Quiet with hikers who greet you so nicely on the way to your destination. Because it is so far North, most people won't even think about traveling up here. But there are a few treasures at the end of the rainbow, like green sceneries, glacier vistas, and a hydroelectric powerplant you can see.

North Cascades National Park is absolutely stunning! It is well worth the drive. Being from California, I don't feel like I get enough of nature in its natural state. By that I mean, I've been hiking on so many clearly made trails. But being here, I love being able to see all these evergreen trees around, heck I'm just excited to see GREEN in general! There are multiple trailheads you can take. We opted for the Thunder Knob Trail since it seemed like the easiest and it was recommended by the Park Ranger. There were a couple of parking spots upon arrival. I do love that the signs for the trailheads were clearly displayed. Given that it was our first time there, we didn't know what to expect. Parking-- you park on the gravel, and then you will walk on foot the rest of the way. There was a porta-potty at the entrance. Not clean as most are not clean. The hike was nice, it took us about say 2 hours or so to reach the top when walking at a leisurely pace. When we reached the "top" we didn't know it was the end. This trail did not have the best view of the turquoise lake below, but it was still stunning. If I went to back, I would definitely pick a different trailhead. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. Pack lots of water, wear comfortable clothes, and dress in layers because you don't know if you'll be sweating or shivering!

"If you don't have alot of time, make sure to do the hikes with the views of Ross/Diablo Lake and also the loop trail at Rainy Pass."

The whole area is beautiful...especially Ross and Diablo Lake. Very scenic drive. The ranger station is well equipped and beautiful with a large fireplace.

Great place for a day trip or weekend camping adventure. There are a number of short trails starting near the service center that take you either into the woods or along the river. We took the River Loop and it was a very easy walk. The trails are also connected if you want an extended hike. We didn't traverse very far into the park; our last stop was at an Overlook (I forget the name) just a few miles ahead of a "General Store". The general store has a decent selection of food and snacks if you need your snack fix. Some tips: 1) The service center has a drinking fountain, so you can fill up your water bottle here if you run out. They also have reasonably clean restrooms and A/C to cool you down on a hot day. 2) There is limited food once you get off I-5. There are some fast-food restaurants right before connecting to Hwy 20 to get into the mountains. If you are planning a day trip, it is a good idea to eat here. Once you get into the woods, there are some local restaurants but I don't know about prices. The last restaurant before entering the mountains is very over-priced, called "Buffalo Run Restaurant" -- be prepared to shell out $8 for a 1/4-lb burger.

A beautiful winding drive through snow capped mountains awaits you. You will see tall stands of Christmassy pines, lakes, streams running over moss covered rocks, and lots of ferns in this extremely lush environment. When the sun pokes through, you will get to see the snow on top. Lots of good hiking. There's some good looking cabins near the hydro station. There's some glaciers I believe in here too. The drive in and out of here is just beautiful.

This National Park does not get visited frequently. Unless you look closely, it would look like there is not a whole lot to do. If you are only in to the "drive-through" aspect of things or are in to the carnival-like atmosphere of Yosemite or Yellowstone, then you may be right. Even in the middle of July, the road was far from crowded. Even in the middle of July, most trails were lightly traveled. The Park is one of the most beautiful places in North America. It competes with Yosemite or Glacier with its' mountains, glaciers, wildflowers, raging rivers and the total package. If you go to North Cascades, you need to be prepared to do several day hikes and understand that most all of them will be "around" the Park as the area is the combination of the National Park, a National Forest, and Two National Rec Areas. There are several things unique about North Cascades, but Diablo Lake and its' amazing color is the easiest to spot and stands out. Make sure you come here - most people I know never get past Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens.

IMO, one of the most underrated national parks. It also doesn't have an entrance fee which not only saves you money but also doesn't cause a pesky line to form at the entrance. It's also not very crowded despite being close to Seattle. If you prefer driving through the park and stopping at various places along the way instead of having to take long hikes to see places of interest, this would be your perfect park!

This was a great visitor center with plenty of information to help you along your way. Most of the rangers were super friendly, and had great recommendations on hikes in the area. I could do without the hovering around the (stuffed) bears on display just outside the front door, however. It was interesting to see the difference in size between a black bear and Grizzly, but not worth the repeated "please don't touch" even though my child had never once touched the bears, or reached her hands toward them. It felt as though the ranger was there to babysit the bears and not to educate people on the wildlife. That was a bummer. The children's area is great, and there are a few different short films to watch in the theatre. We had a picnic in the picnic area behind the center, then took the river loop trail just behind that. It was very manageable, even for my 3 year old.

The other day I told people that I went to North Cascades National Park. They've never even heard of it. What's wrong with some people? This beautiful natural playground is sitting in your back yard and people don't even know it! It's a shame. This was an incredible park with such an array of activities. Hiking, camping, fishing, boating, etc can all be done here. I hiked to Diablo Lake (you can just drive) to witness for myself this blue/green water I kept seeing in photographs. I couldn't believe it. Never have I seen water like that. While visiting the park, you must traverse the entire North Cascade Scenic highway. I've been on a lot of roads all throughout this land, and that roadway is one of the prettiest.

From sweeping ice capped mountain ranges to beautiful turquoise colored lakes, this place has it all. I wish I had spent more time here as we only stayed for two nights. The staggering number of trails and viewpoints in this park is mind boggling. If you don't have alot of time, make sure to do the hikes with the views of Ross/Diablo Lake and also the loop trail at Rainy Pass.

Great views but the forest floor could really use a good vacuum! Pinecones everywhere!

Adventure!! a park made for serious hiking and less crowded! The key is to go to the backdoor campgrounds and once there enjoy the solitude and killer landscape. We had a short visit and did the Easy pass trail and then spend one night on the campground behind the pass. The hike took more than 3 hours but it was a wonderful collection of images. This pass is not as easy as its name, but once you reach the top, the view is spectacular. The main road and the view points are also impressive, but nothing like going deeper into the park.

It was smoky when we went here so there really wasn't much too see, but we made the best of it. Plus, it's not the parks fault there was a wildfire. Only taking off one star because a staff member we talked to about trails seemed less than informed and much less than enthusiastic. I could tell that without the smoke this park would be absolutely breathtaking.

It is a beautiful scenic drive .Would highly recommend Diablo overlook and gorge falls

This is one of my favorite places in the world, bar none. And I've been around. Definitely explore the trails around Ross Lake, and visit the overlook at Washington Pass if yer in NW WA. And if camping is your thing, definitely spend a night at Colonial Creek, or one of the campgrounds at Cascade Pass. The scenery is unbelievable. My own profile pic was taken at the base of the glacier on Ruth Mtn, just north of Mount Baker. If that isn't an indication of how amazing it is there, I don't know what is.