How to Plan a 2 Day North Cascades National Park Itinerary

While we love our adopted home state of Oregon and places like Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park, if you ask us to name our favorite hiking destination in the Pacific Northwest (the west coast?), both of our minds go straight to North Cascades National Park (and the Mount Baker Wilderness, too). 

Why do we love the North Cascades so much? Two main reasons. 

First, we’re mountain people through-and-through (versus beach people). We’re all about the high elevation hikes, verdant wildflower meadows, and shimmering alpine lakes (though preferably we get to them early in the morning before they’re shimmering with the intense sun). 

Second, there are far, far fewer people visiting the North Cascades because they are WAY harder to get to than, say, Mount Rainier. That’s not to say you’re going to find perfect solitude, but it is true that you won’t need to make reservations for entry permits or fight 100 people to the death for the last parking spot. 

Long story short, we love the North Cascades, and think it’s a great option for a quick mountain getaway. 

In this guide, we’re going to go through all the information we think you need to plan an incredible 2 day North Cascades National Park itinerary, with ideas on what to do with more time at the end of the guide. 

In this guide, here’s what we’re going to cover:

• A few important logistics to keep in mind as you’re planning, like the different passes you might need and seasonal considerations to know before you go
  
  
• Our favorite things to do in North Cascades National Park and how to put it all together to form an itinerary to make the most of your time
  
  
• Ideas on what to do with more or less time in the North Cascades

Throughout the guide, we’ll share our favorite hikes, viewpoints, waterfalls, and more based on our trips to help you plan your North Cascades adventure.

Sound good to you? Let’s get into it. 

For the purposes of this guide, we are talking about things that are along the Highway 20 corridor, which is the North Cascades Highway and goes all the way from I-5 over Washington Pass (and the Cascades) into eastern Washington. 

Here’s a map of the park so you can see what we mean (Highway 20 is the red line). 

Every single hike, viewpoint, and point of interest that we mention in this guide is off of that thoroughfare (some are further west than the map shows), though it is worth noting that some trailheads require driving along potholed forest roads that can add a significant amount of drive time. 

Which leads us to our recommendation here. The way we see it, you essentially only have two options here. 

The first, and the best, is to camp inside the park. 

This is what we usually do, and we have found that Colonial Creek Campground is the best option inside the park in terms of location and amenities. 

Newhalem Campground is at the western edge of the park, next to the visitor center, and the sites are packed in tight and it’s a good distance from Washington Pass and many of our favorite hikes. 

However, we also recognize that not everyone is up for camping, especially if you’re coming from out of the area. 

If you’re not camping inside the park, our recommendation is to stay on the eastern side of the park around Winthrop.

We stayed in Winthrop on our latest visit (a fall visit to see some fall color, though Matt sprained his ankle a week before the trip leaving him unable to hike). 

We stayed at the River’s Edge Resort, which has quiet cabins on the river a quick walk from the main stretch in Winthrop, and we’d recommend it. 

It’s also worth noting that there are several Forest Service campgrounds – namely Lone Fir Campground and Klipchuck Campground – just outside the eastern end of the park.

Both are first-come, first-served, though, which makes planning a little tough. They’re also open through late October (unlike the campgrounds inside the park), but it will be COLD. 

Things to Know Before You Visit

Here are a few things we think you should know before your trip. 

Are Dogs Allowed? It’s Complicated

Dogs are allowed on some trails – provided they’re on a leash – especially in the eastern end of the park. 

While the trails inside the national park – like Thunder Knob, Cascade Pass, and Ladder Creek Falls – do not allow dogs, a bunch of the trails on the eastern end of the park are actually on National Forest land, which means dogs are allowed. 

No dogs on the Heather-Maple Pass Trail (it passes into the park at the far end of the loop, which basically makes it a no-go for pups), but Blue Lake, Cutthroat Lake (and Pass), and Rainy Lake are all dog-friendly (keep the pups on a leash!).

The Best Time to Visit is Late Summer and Early Fall

The hiking season is tragically short. We touched on this above, but it bears repeating. Don’t make the same mistake we did and show up in early July thinking all of the high elevation trails in the park will be snow-free and ready to tackle without winter hiking equipment. 

The best time to hit the trail with little fear of snow and ice is late July through the end of September.

Stop at the Visitor Center in Newhalem

It’s worth stopping at the Visitor Center to check on trail conditions and closures. 

The visitor center is located off of Highway 20, near the town of Newhalem and Newhalem Creek Campground as you’re entering the park from the west (the direction of Seattle). 

Stop by the center between 9am and 5pm between May 18^th-September 30^th, where you’ll find maps of the park and surrounding area, multimedia exhibits on the natural and cultural history of North Cascades National Park, and short, interpretive trails. 

Given the fact that this area is known for both fires and mudslides, it’s worth stopping in to check what the status of various parts of the park are when you’re there. 

Note that you can’t pick up backcountry permits here, that is done at the separate Wilderness Information Center which is in Marblemount (here on Google Maps). 

The Parking Pass Situation is Also Complicated

This national park does NOT require a pass to enter, but you might need a parking permit at certain trailheads. 

The good news is that there aren’t any national park fees for North Cascades National Park! 

However, you will need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at many of the trailheads outside the eastern boundary of the park, which are on National Forest land (an America the Beautiful Pass also works). 

There is No Cell Service in the Park

Once you enter the park, right around Newhalem, you’re going to lose cell service. On the other end of the park, you get cell service back just before you get to Winthrop. So through the vast majority of the park, you’re not going to have any service. 

We’d strongly recommend that you download an offline map of the park before you go so that you can still navigate without service (here’s how to do it).

There is Nowhere to Eat Inside the Park

Aside from the convenience-ish store in Newhalem, there is nowhere to eat inside the park.

The closest amenities are going to be in Marblemount and Rockport (though Concrete is the first real town) on the west side, and Mazama on the east side (the Mazama Store is a classic stop for bagels, sandwiches, and coffee – it’s here on Google Maps). 

You’re probably  going to need to pack a lunch and some snacks and bring it with you. 

A Perfect 2 Day North Cascades National Park Itinerary

Now that we’ve got all those logistics covered, on to the best part – the actual itinerary! 

We’ve outlined a two day itinerary for you below, with options to turn it into a one day version or a slightly longer version below the main itinerary. 

Day 1: A Scenic Drive and Afternoon Hike

On your first day, get an overview of the park by driving from one end of it to the other along Highway 20 (also known as the North Cascades Scenic Highway, which lives up to its name). Then, tackle a relatively easy afternoon hike to get your first taste of the North Cascades. 

Here are the stops we think you should make along the way (we have you skipping a few hikes, which we’ll come back to later in the itinerary).

• Trail of the Cedars: Your first opportunity to stretch your legs, this is a very short stroll through a forest with good interpretive signage that serves as a nice introduction to the flora and fauna in the Cascades. Plus, a fun suspension bridge! Park in the town of Newhalem, and you can do the next stop without moving your car. More trial information here.
  
  
• Ladder Creek Falls: A nice waterfall at the end of a short hike that crosses the Skagit River, passes the Gorge Powerhouse, and arrives at a waterfall after just a quarter of a mile or so. More trail information here.
  
  
• Diablo Lake Overlook: About 20 minutes (12 miles) east, you’ll run into Diablo Lake. First, you’ll drive over a bridge, which doesn’t really give you an accurate picture of the natural beauty that’s in store for you when you drive up the hill immediately after the bridge and pull into the overlook on the left. Here, you’re treated to a spectacular view of Diablo Lake’s turquoise water, backed by the rocky peaks of the Cascades.
  
  
• The Ross Dam Trail: Ross Lake, along with Diablo Lake, is the other huge lake in the park. There’s a cool resort in the middle of the lake – the Ross Lake Resort – that you can stay at overnight. It’s only accessible by water taxi. There’s also a short hiking trail that takes you down closer to the water and allows access to walking across Ross Dam, which is worth doing.
  
  
• Washington Pass Overlook: Your final stop marks the top of the pass, and the border between the mild, temperate climate of western Washington and the harsher, drier climate in eastern Washington. It’s about 35 minutes from Ross Dam to the top of the pass, and it’s a windy, scenic drive. Head out on the short little loop trail, which takes you out to the best view from the road in the park (we think). 

Option 1: The Blue Lake Trail

This is the hike that is EXTREMELY popular, and for good reason. The lake at the end, which sits at the base of a towering rock wall and shimmers with a blue-green glow when the sun hits it, is beautiful. 

The best part is the accessibility. This is a relatively easy hike, and the reward-to-effort ratio is nearly unmatched in the entire state. It’s a steady, forested (which means not as much sun exposure) climb up to the lake, and we’ve seen plenty of kids on the trail (remember to pull over to let faster hikers pass!). 

Option 2: The Cutthroat Lake Trail

This is a hike that surprised us in terms of the payoff and relatively low traffic on the trail. 

The Cutthroat Pass Trail – which is the hike we actually wanted to do on this latest trip but skipped because Matt had an ankle injury and was in a boot – runs from the same area as the Heather-Maple Pass Trail (don’t worry, we’ll get there!), following the PCT up to Cutthroat Pass before branching off to the east and heading down to a trailhead on the other side of Washington Pass. 

Day 2: A Morning Hike and The Eastern Foothills

On your second day, tackle a longer hike before strolling out to Rainy Lake and driving east over Washington Pass, dropping into the eastern foothills of the Cascades to explore Winthrop for the afternoon and evening. 

Hike the Heather Maple Pass Loop (Our Favorite)

This is at the top of the list of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in the Pacific Northwest.

It has it all – a nice alpine lake, a climb to the top of a mountain pass for a good workout, and stunning views almost the entire way through the hike. There’s a reason we have it in our top three hikes in Washington State. 

The views to the east are particularly impressive from the summit, with the trail winding its way through the landscape, with the Cascade Range in the distance. 

The trail is still covered in snow into July most years, so take that into account as you’re planning your trip. 

For more information, we have an entire guide dedicated to hiking the Heather-Maple Pass Loop with more information like how to get to the trailhead, what to expect, and a mini trail report.

Looking for a slightly easier hike to start your day? Our recommendation would be to do either the hike you didn’t do on afternoon 1 (Blue Lake or Cutthroat Lake) or the hike out to Thunder Knob, which is a relatively easy one that leaves from a trailhead across from Colonial Creek Campground right on the shore of Diablo Lake. If you’re looking for a less-trafficked hike with a similar payoff, look at the Cutthroat Pass Trail via the PCT that we mentioned above. 

The trail from the Rainy Pass Trailhead (which is the same trailhead as the one you use for the Heather-Maple Pass hike) is flat, paved, and two miles long (roundtrip). 

This works best if you choose Maple Pass as your morning hike, mostly because of the aforementioned parking disaster, which can lead to cars parked on the side of the highway for a half mile on either side of the trailhead. Parking might be an issue if you decide on a different hike. 

Exploring Winthrop

For the afternoon and evening, we’d highly recommend a drive down into the eastern foothills of the Cascades towards the three towns of Mazama, Winthrop, and Twisp. 

From the top of Washington Pass down into Winthrop, it will take you about 30 minutes, give or take, and you’ll drop down into a beautiful valley, following the Methow River (which the valley is named after) as it snakes its way through a very different landscape than you’ll find on the other side of the park. 

Here are some things to do, see, eat, and drink in Winthrop. The town is basically two consecutive blocks that are lined with shops, bars, and restaurants, all decked out in a western theme. 

• The Pedestrian Bridge: Winthrop sits at the confluence of two rivers, where the smaller Chewuch River flows into the Methow River, which continues south. There is a pedestrian bridge on the south side of town (here on Google Maps) that provides a nice view up and down the river. 
  
  
• The Shafer Historical Museum: This small museum sits up the hill from the main stretch, and is well worth a half hour or so of your time. It covers Winthrop’s history, including the settling of the land and the peak of its powers when it was a mining destination (they have a bunch of old mining equipment on display). There are some cool historical artifacts, including photos, maps, and diary entries, that paint a vivid picture of Winthrop’s rise in the 19th Century.
  
   
• The restaurants: If you’re looking for a place to eat, there are a few places to choose from along the main drag in Winthrop. For more progressive food, you’ve got Meza and Jupiter. For more traditional pub fare, you’ve got Old Schoolhouse Brewery (a local brewery) and Three Fingered Jack’s Saloon (the oldest legal saloon in Washington State, according to them). Other notable spots are Rocking Horse Bakery (for baked goods and coffee in the morning) and Sheri’s Sweet Shop (for all sorts of sweets). 

What to Do with Less Time in the Park (One Day Itinerary)

If you have just one day to spend in the North Cascades, here’s how we’d organize your visit to maximize your time. 

The first thing you’re going to want to do is tackle whatever hike you’re up for, because these trailheads do get busy. Get as early a start as you can.

If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can head to the Washington Pass Overlook first thing in the morning for incredible light on the Liberty Bell and surrounding rocky peaks, which is a few minutes away from the trailheads for all three of those hikes. 

That’s what we did on our latest trip, and it certainly did not disappoint. 

Finish with sunset (or just a late afternoon stop) at the Diablo Lake Overlook, which is one of the best views in the park accessible from the road, and is one of the iconic photos of Washington State. 

What to Add with More Time in the North Cascades

Here are some things to add if you happen to have more time in the park. 

Get Out on the Water at Ross Lake Resort (+½ Day)

Take a water taxi out to the resort, which will cost you $3. Rent a boat (canoes are $65 for the day, kayaks are slightly more expensive) and spend the day exploring out on the water of Ross Lake. 

You could also stay the night at the resort, which has cabins and bunkhouses (make sure to reserve in advance!) that can only be accessed by boat in the summer and early fall.

There are basically no services out there, so you’ll need to bring all your own food (most of the cabins have some sort of kitchen amenities). 

Tackle More Hikes! (+1 Day for Each)

There are basically an endless number of hikes to do in and around North Cascades National Park. Here are a few more, in addition to the few that are included in the itinerary above. 

• Cascade Pass / Sahale Arm (12 miles out and back, 4,000 feet of elevation gain): We STILL haven’t done this hike, even though it’s supposed to be one of the most spectacular hikes in the state, because of the road getting there. It’s passable with normal vehicles, but the road is long. We figured out that it would take at least an hour each way, and decided to spend our time elsewhere. If you have a high-clearance vehicle, you’ll be fine, and it’s totally doable with a normal passenger vehicle. This is also a great overnight hike.
  
  
• Park Butte (7.5 miles out and back, 2,200 feet of elevation gain): This is actually more in the Mt. Baker region, not the North Cascades, but it’s a short drive off of Highway 20 near Baker Lake between Sedro-Woolley and Marblemount. The hike is moderate and you’ll have views of Mt. Baker the whole way through the second half of the hike.
  
   
• Thunder Knob (3.6 miles out and back, 635 feet of elevation gain): One of the easier hikes in the park, this one is 3.6 miles and leaves from the trailhead across Hwy 20 from Colonial Creek Campground. We did it as an early morning hike, and you get some nice views from the opposite side of Diablo Lake from the usual viewpoint. Good hike for families staying at Colonial Creek. 
  
  
• Hidden Lake Lookout (8 miles, 3,300 feet of elevation gain): This was the first hike we ever tackled in the North Cascades, and it kind of set a crazy high bar for the rest of the hikes that followed. This hike is spectacular, and is worth every hard-fought foot of elevation gain to get there. Let’s start with the payoff. At the end of this hike, there’s a perched lake waiting for you. You’ll have the lake in the foreground, and the snowy peaks of the Cascades in the background, making for one of the most incredible views in the entire state. The trail takes you through three different landscapes as you make the climb to the lake. You’ll start in the forest for about a mile, then you’ll emerge into a meadow full of wildflowers, at least in the early summer (July), where you’ll climb a long series of switchbacks up the face of the mountain before the trail starts to turn rocky and you arrive in the alpine piece. Great hike, but the road to the trailhead is gnarly.