10 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park

The best hikes in North Cascades National Park offer stunning views of glaciers, alpine meadows, and rugged peaks. Keep reading for more hikes such as the Cascade Pass, Maple Pass Loop, and the Sahale Arm.

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Hiking in North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with its rugged peaks, glaciers, alpine meadows, and numerous trail options. The park offers something for every skill level, from easy nature walks to challenging backcountry treks. For those looking for a strenuous hike, the park has over 300 miles of maintained trails, including the challenging and rewarding Cascade Pass, Maple Pass Loop, and Sahale Arm trails.

One of the main reasons to hike in the North Cascades National Park is for the unparalleled scenic beauty. The park is home to over 300 glaciers, as well as lush alpine meadows, rugged peaks, and cascading waterfalls. Additionally, the park is relatively uncrowded compared to other popular national parks, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a more peaceful and secluded hiking experience. 

North Cascades is remote no matter where you are coming from, so you will want to make sure your group is up for the road trip!

Overall the North Cascades National Park is a destination that shouldn’t be missed by any hikers who love the wild and beautiful nature.

Mount Rainier or North Cascades?

Many people visiting the Pacific Northwest will ask: Is Mount Rainier or North Cascades better?

Mount Rainier and North Cascades are pretty different. Mount Rainier is the more accessible option but North Cascades is better for remote and rugged beauty.

Mount Rainier is more accessible but therefore more crowded. The hikes are mostly all very developed and it is an easy National Park for new hikers. Because it is closer to Seattle, you can also easily do Mount Rainier as a day trip.

The North Cascades, on the other hand, is more remote. However, that means that the beauty of the mountains and surrounding area can really shine through with fewer crowds! The only downside is that it is further

If you are interested in other hikes in Washington state, check out Colchuck Lake or Blanca Lake! If rainforests are more your scene, make a day trip out to Olympic National Park

Where is Ross Lake National Recreation Area?

If you keep following Diablo Lake up, you will reach Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Ross Lake area is perfect for all of your boating and fishing adventures. 

There are tons of primitive campgrounds in the area like Devil’s Creek Campground, and most folks who go up there are looking to hang around the lake. I personally would not recommend hiking around Ross Lake if it is your first time in the North Cascades. There are much better areas to hike a bit further south.

However, if you are in the area, I’ve mentioned Desolation Peak Lookout Trail below.

When to Go Hiking in the North Cascades

The best time to visit North Cascades National Park depends on what you’re looking to do while you’re there. The park is open year-round, but some activities and areas of the park may be inaccessible or less enjoyable at certain times of the year.

If you’re interested in hiking, the optimal time for the best hikes in North Cascades National Park is late June to early October. This is when most of the park’s trails are free of snow and accessible.

Wildflowers will be particularly beautiful from late May to early July. This is when many of the park’s wildflowers are in bloom and the park’s forests and meadows are green and lush.

Things to Know Before Visiting North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park complex is located in the state of Washington. Specifically, the park is situated in the northwest region of the state, about 120 miles (193 km) east of the city of Seattle. 

You will want to keep in mind how far North Cascades is when planning your trip. It is not easy to combine, for example, Mount Rainier National Park and the North Cascades into one weekend because the parks are so far apart.

How to Get to North Cascades

To get to the North Cascades, you will need to fly into Seattle Airport. From Seattle, you can take Route 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway, which will take you through the small towns of Concrete, Marblemount, and Newhalem before reaching the park.

If you are coming from the north, you can take Route 9 and Route 20 from the Canadian border, or Route 20 from Bellingham.

Visiting North Cascades requires a bit of driving, so you absolutely will need a car.

Entrance Fees for North Cascades

In order to park at some trailheads at North Cascades hikes, you will need a Northwest Forest Pass, which is required at USFS trailheads only. 

If you don’t want to buy a pass online, you can buy a Northwest Forest Pass from many vendors here.

If you’ve hiked before, you may be wondering what the difference is between the Northwest Forest Pass and the Discovery Pass. The Northwest Forest Pass is for use on federal land whereas the Discover Pass on state land. Unlike most National Parks, there is no fee to enter North Cascades National Park. 

Check the National Park Service website for more information on fees.

Other Important Information for North Cascades

There is very little cell phone service in any of the best hikes in North Cascades. You will want to download offline maps, do research beforehand, and tell your friends and family your plans.

You can view more detailed North Cascades trail maps at the NPS website here.

Where to Stay in the North Cascades

If you are heading up to North Cascades National Park, there are a few options for your accommodation. 

Camping at North Cascades National Park

First, you have your campgrounds. Campgrounds are a great option if you want to immerse yourself in nature and be super close to the North Cascades Trailheads. Plus, you can do some campfire cooking and s’mores – which I love!

Colonial Creek South Campground
With 96 sites, Colonial Creek South Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds because it is at the bottom of Diablo Lake and central to many hikes in the North Cascades. The bathrooms are clean and well-stocked with toilet paper and soap.

Just a warning – there is no cell service here so make sure you download offline maps if needed.

Newhalem Campground
With 107 sites, Newhalem Campground sits to the west of Colonial Creek South, just on Skagit River. It is a little more secluded, but it is still close to the North Cascades visitor center. Newhalem Campground has flush toilets, while Goodell Creek across the river does not.

There is cell service at Newhalem Campground.

Goodell Creek Campground

With 19 sites, Goodell Creek Campground is just across Skagit River on the north side of the river. Hikers will choose Goodell Creek Campground to have a more remote and intimate experience (it only has vault toilets!). There is a nearby raft/kayak launch on the Skagit River.

Although it is just across the river, there is no cell service at Goodell Creek Campground. You will have to take this into consideration and make sure you have everything planned for the best hikes in North Cascades.

Gorge Lake Campground

Gorge Lake Campground is located right by Gorge Lake, with beautiful sunrise and sunset views as the sun beams on the water.

It is, however a very primitive campground with no running water, no cell phone reception, and no flush toilets.

Glamping or Cabins

In the nearby town of Marblemount, there are plenty of private campsites and cabins to rent on Airbnb. Here are some of my favorites: Off-grid cabin, Cascade River House, Good Neighbors Campsite.

Marblemount is only 20 minutes from the National Park Service North Cascades Visitor Center, so you won’t be too far from any hikes. 

Staying in Marblemount will also put you in the middle of a few top hikes in North Cascades. You will be 1 hour from Cascade Pass Trailhead and 1 hour from Thornton Lakes Trailhead. 

10 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park

As you will see from the hikes below, most of the best hikes in North Cascades National Park are fairly long. There is only one hike I recommend that is less than 4 miles!

That is not to say that you can’t enjoy North Cascades National Park if you are more of a beginner hiker. Just make sure you are prepared for the longer hikes – pack the 10 Essentials, bring lots of water, and tell friends and family what your plans are for the day.

Without further ado, here are the best hikes in North Cascades National Park.

Half Day Hikes in North Cascades

1. Ladder Creek Falls Trail

0.5 miles roundtrip | 350 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Ladder Creek Falls Trail is extremely kid-friendly, especially for young tots who are just starting out in their walking journey! At only 0.5 miles roundtrip, kids will be able to hike up to the viewpoint to see Ladder Creek Falls.

Even better, Ladder Creek Falls Trail is completely paved and there are benches where you can stop and rest on if you get tired.

Lastly, every Friday, Ladder Creek Falls will be illuminated at night with colored purple, pink and blue lights. 

Pst – if you are looking for another short trail for kids, check out the Washington Pass Overlook Trail off of Highway 20. At 0.3 miles, it’s an easy hike out that will give you nice views of Washington Pass and the surrounding peaks.

2. Blue Lake Trail

4.6 miles roundtrip | 900 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Blue Lake Trail is a popular option for an easier hike with one of the best lake views in North Cascades National Park. At only 4.6 miles and a pretty flat elevation gain of 900 feet spread across that distance, it will take you around 2.5 hours to complete this hike.

The hike is very moderate and you will be rewarded with beautiful views of Blue Lake. The casades reflect on the lake and is truly magical! The lake is not turquoise blue and is a more normal shade of blue, but this is a good hike nonetheless.

3. Maple Pass Loop

7.4 miles roundtrip | 2100 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

What can you not miss in North Cascades National Park? Maple Pass Loop has got to be up there as a cannot miss hikes in North Cascades.

Maple Pass Loop in North Cascades is one of the most popular trails. You will pass 2 lakes on this loop while climbing up and down 2,100 elevation change. 

You will get great views of Heather Pass Meadows and also have views of Cutthroat Peak, the hike mentioned above.

This is a classic North Cascades hike, and the only reason I don’t put it higher on my list is that you can bet that it will be crowded on a weekend summer day!

4. Diablo Lake Trail

7.6 miles roundtrip | 1,400 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Diablo Lake is a beautiful hike up to a glacier-led lake that is a perfect hiking trail for the early season at North Cascades. 

Starting at the Diablo Lake Trailhead, the total hike is 7.6 miles roundtrip which will take you around 2.5-3 hours. Luckily, there is not that much elevation so it is considered a moderate hike.

Heading up via Diablo Lake Trail will take you past cascading waterfalls and several peaks in the North Cascades including Davis Peaks and Jack Mountain.

For more information about Diablo Lake Trail, check out the WTA instructions on how to get to there.

Full Day Hikes in North Cascades

5. Hidden Lake Lookout Trail

8 miles roundtrip | 3,300 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Hidden Lake Lookout Trail is a classic North Cascades National Park for a reason. At 8 miles and 3,330 feet elevation gain, Hidden Lake Lookout is the perfect distanced hike for a full day, without being too difficult or exhausting for intermediate hikers.

What’s better about Hidden Lake Trail is that you have interesting views all throughout your hike. From starting off in the forest and seeing all the wildflowers, you will then ascend to the alpine environment above the treeline. It’s easy to see why this is one of the best hikes in the North Cascades.

Hikers will see stunning views at the summit of North Cascades National Park once they get to the Hidden Lake Lookout. You will see layers of the beautiful mountains for miles looking out into the distance.

6. Desolation Peak Lookout Trail

9.4 miles roundtrip | 4,400 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Desolation Peak Lookout Trail is one of the harder trails in North Cascades National Park. At over 9 miles and 4,400 feet elevation gain, this hike will take you about 5-6 hours to complete.

To me, the best hikes in North Cascades will have some sort of challenge. Desolation Peak has tons of switchbacks and that will be how you spend more of your ascent going up the mountain. 

As the name suggests, Desolation Peak is less of a forest-wildflower-type hike. Instead, it is mostly a dry hike with lots of granite and rocks. At the summit, you will reach the famous Jack Kerouac Fire Lookout and see great views below of North Cascades.

7. Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak

9.7 miles roundtrip | 3800 ft elevation gain | No Dogs Allowed

Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak will be one of the more difficult hikes in North Cascades, but it will be completely worth the effort as you get to enjoy the view of alpine lakes and the ruggedness of North Cascades from Trappers Peak.

The highlight of this hike is being able to stop by Thornton Lakes at the halfway point of your hike (you turn around to come back). You can have lunch here and dip your feet in before the journey back to your car.

8. Cutthroat Pass

10 miles roundtrip | 3800 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly

Cutthroat Pass is a classic North Cascades National Park hike that goes via the famous Pacific Crest Trail. Cutthroat Pass is a tougher hike at 10 miles roundtrip, but this type of good-distanced dayhike is perfect with the ruggedness when I think of the North Cascades!

Because Cutthroat Pass shares a trail with the Pacific Crest Trail, you might also meet some PCT thru hikers. You will see beautiful waterfalls, alpine scenery of lakes and stunning peaks.

I highly recommend hiking Cutthroat Pass in the fall when the fall foliage is at its peak!

9. Pierce Mountain Camp via Sourdough Mountain Trail

10.5 miles roundtrip | 5700 ft elevation gain | No Dogs Allowed

Oftentimes people ask, what is the hardest hike in North Cascades? Many people will say the hardest hike in North Cascades is Sourdough Mountain because of its high mileage and heavy elevation gain. In the first 2 miles, you will hike up 3,000 feet! That is no easy feat.

Sourdough Mountain is a beautiful vista point for any hiker who wants a challenging and rewarding hike. You will get the classic alpine views with flowers, blue-watered lakes, and ragged peaks.

It is a hard hike for sure, and Pierce Mountain Camp offers an alternative way to get up to Sourdough Mountain Trail.

There will likely be very few, if any, people on the trail with you. So you can enjoy the views yourself the entire way!

10. Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail

12.1 miles roundtrip | 5000 ft elevation gain | Not Dog Friendly

So, what is the best hike in North Cascades National Park? My absolute favorite hike in North Cascades is Cascade Pass Trail and Sahale Arm.

The trailhead starts at Cascade River Road Trailhead here.

This is a beautiful, classic trail for the North Cascades that takes you up switchbacks, through beautiful peaks, and with spectacular views of the North Cascades mountain range, including peaks such as Johannesburg Mountain, Sharkfin Tower, and Magic Mountain. 

The trail also passes through diverse landscapes, including alpine meadows, subalpine forests, and rocky ridges. Additionally, hikers may have the opportunity to see wildlife such as mountain goats, marmots, and black bears.

At 12.1 miles and several thousand elevation gain, this trail is also considered challenging and a great workout. You will feel very satisfied and accomplished at the end of this big hiking day!

There is an option to spend the night at Sahale Glacier Camp to break up your hike a bit. In order to camp at Sahale Glacier, you will need to get a permit through the NPS.

Note: There is a shorter option to hike Cascade Pass and skip Sahale Arm Trail. This will make the hike shorter at 6.7 miles and 1,500 ft elevation gain. 

If you are up for it, I highly recommend continuing past Cascade Pass because you will get additional wild scenery after Cascade Pass on the Sahale Arm Trail, but it is a much longer hike.

What to Pack for Hiking North Cascades National Park

When you set out for hikes in North Cascades, you need to be prepared with the right gear. North Cascades is much more remote than many national parks. There is rarely any cell phone service, and the hikes are a lot longer and tougher than most. Having the right hiking gear becomes even more important if you decide to visit outside of June to August. Temperatures can swing wildly in the Spring, Fall and Winter.

Hiking Boots / Shoes

Here are some of my favorite hiking boots. I personally have Hoka’s because I don’t need as much sturdy ankle support, but the right hiking shoe will depend on your individual needs. Most of the hikes in North Cascades will be doable with sneakers if you have sturdy ankles, but some of the small rocks of the trails could use hiking boots.

When it doubt – go with more ankle support and make sure you break in your shoe completely before heading out on the hikes in North Cascades,

Sun Protection

Sun protection is a must, especially in the summer. You would be surprised how quickly you can get sunburnt and dehydrated out on the hikes in North Cascades. Here are some items I use for sun protection every time I am out hiking.

Water Storage

My general rule of thumb is 1L of water per hour while on the hikes in North Cascades. Here are some of my favorite water storage containers – I especially love the Drom Bags. In the summer when it is above 80 degrees F, I will sometimes go up to 1.5L of water per hour.

Summer Hiking Clothing

Summer hiking clothing will keep you cooler than your normal workout gear. This is crucial for hiking trails in North Cascades – especially in the summer. You definitely want to stay away from cotton and look for clothing that is breathable and sweat-wicking. For more details on why that is, check my post on Essential Hiking Clothes!

Summary of Hiking North Cascades

Overall, hikes in the North Cascades are a beautiful and remote area in the northern area of Washington. About a 3-hour drive from Seattle, you will need to plan your road trip accordingly when visiting the North Cascades.

There are many beautiful hikes to enjoy here. If you are a first-time visitor to the North Cascades, hike both the Maple Pass Loop and Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm Trail.

Have you been here before? What do you think are the best hikes in North Cascades National Park?