North Cascades National Park features incredible hiking trails with rich history and scenic alpine vistas. But, with over 400 miles of hiking trails, how do you decide which hikes to do?
This guide is here to help!
In this post, you’ll find all the details on the 15 best hikes in North Cascades National Park, including easy trails to challenging mountain summits.
Plus, I’m sharing must-know tips for hiking in North Cascades National Park, including an overview of the unique park geography, the best time to hike in North Cascades, and the essential information to know before your trip.
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North Cascades National Park At-A-Glance
Before diving in, here are a few highlights to help you plan your trip:
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-July to September is the best time to visit, once the snow has melted and North Cascades Highway is open. Few areas of the park are open year-round.
- Where to Stay: While there are two remote lodges inside the park boundaries, the best places to stay are in the towns surrounding the park or campgrounds inside the park. Consider staying at River’s Edge Resort or the Mt. Gardner Inn.
- How to Get There: The closest airport is in Seattle, 3 hours away. Use Expedia to browse flights and find the best price.
- How to Get Around: My favorite way to see Washington is by campervan. I had a fantastic experience renting a luxury campervan through Noma Vans on Outdoorsy. You can also easily get around by car. I recommend using Expedia to browse for deals.
- Don’t Forget: Be sure to get an America the Beautiful National Park Pass ahead of time. This $80 pass is valid for 12 months and gets you into all 400+ national park sites (including all 3 Washington parks).
Overview of the North Cascades National Park Area
North Cascades is located in Washington state near the Canadian border. Unlike most national parks, North Cascades is formed by a unique partnership between several federally protected lands.
The North Cascades National Park Complex is comprised of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, Chelan Lake National Recreation Area, and North Cascades National Park.
The Ross Lake National Recreation Area protects the land along Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, Gorge Lake, the Skagit River, and its many dams. North Cascades National Park surrounds Ross Lake National Recreation Area on the North and south, as seen in the map below.
In addition, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lies on the eastern border of the complex along the North Cascades Highway and is often considered part of North Cascades by those planning trips to the region.
This guide focuses on these four regions and highlights the best hikes in each. Across the North Cascades region, you’ll find stunning Alps-like hikes and more than 300 glaciers – the most in the contiguous United States!
Read More: 3 Best National Parks in Washington
Best Time to Hike in North Cascades National Park
Much of North Cascades has long, snowy winters with a short summer hiking season. As you plan your trip, it’s essential to keep this short season in mind to avoid snowy trails and road closures.
North Cascades Highway (aka Highway 20) is the main route through the park. North Cascades Highway is closed from November to May between Ross Dam Trailhead (milepost 134) and Early Winters gate (milepost 178) east of Washington Pass Overlook.
While the highway opens in May, most of the trails on the eastern part of the park in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are snow-covered until mid-July.
The best time to visit North Cascades National Park for hiking trails in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and higher-elevation routes like the Cascades Pass is mid-July through September. During these months, snow has melted, and the weather is perfect for hiking.
While much of the park is closed for the remainder of the year, you can still visit North Cascades and enjoy activities at lower elevations. Explore the trails in Newhalem in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area instead.
For fall colors and to catch a glimpse of North Cascades’ famous yellow larches, hike the Maple Pass Loop or the Blue Lake Trail in early-to-mid October.
You can read about the latest road conditions and status on the North Cascades Road Conditions site.
Essential Tips for Hiking in North Cascades National Park
- Get the America the Beautiful National Park Pass. While North Cascades does not charge an entry fee, you’ll need a pass to hike in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The America the Beautiful Pass covers your payment here. In addition, the national park pass gets you entry to all 400+ national parks and forests for 12 months. It’s an excellent way to save money on a national park trip. Get the America the Beautiful Pass for only $80.
- If you don’t have a national park pass, you must purchase a Northwest Forest Pass. All trails in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest require you to have this pass. You can buy the Northwest Forest Pass for $5 per day or $30 per year. The pass is valid at all national forests in Washington and Oregon.
- Fill up on gas before heading into the park. There are no gas stations between Marblemount and Mazama, about a 75-mile stretch.
- Pack bug spray and sunscreen. In the heat of summer, many trails are unshaded and buggy. Protect yourself against the mosquitos and the sun with sunscreen and bug spray.
- Check trail conditions ahead of time. Many trails in North Cascades have seasonal closures and may be subject to changing conditions. Always check the North Cascades website before visiting for any travel alerts.
Looking for more tips on what to pack for your trip? Check out my guides on the best hiking gear, what to pack for a road trip, and essential camping gear for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze!
Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park
This list of the best hikes in North Cascades covers the trails in four areas: North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, Chelan Lake National Recreation Area, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
This list is ranked from best to not quite as best (there’s no lousy hike!). So if you’re short on time, focus on picking hikes ranked 1-10 on this list!
Are you planning a national park trip but don’t know where to start? Get my free 28-page national park ebook where I break down everything you need to know to visit all 63 USA national parks.
Download your free ebook here.
1. Cascade Pass Trail
- Distance: 7.4 miles (11.8 miles to Sahale Arm)
- Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet (3,940 feet to Sahale Arm)
- Difficulty: Moderate (Strenuous to Sahale Arm)
- Time to Hike: 4 to 5 hours (9 to 11 hours to Sahale Arm)
- Region: North Cascades National Park
- Trailhead: Cascade Pass, located at the end of the Cascade River Road
- Best Time of Year: Mid-July through September
- Permit Required: None
If you only have time for one hike on your trip to North Cascades, don’t miss the Cascade Pass Trail. This hike is the perfect sampler of the Cascade Mountains, filled with stunning wildflowers, plenty of wildlife, and rewarding views.
The hike starts on switchbacks through a forested area before opening into subalpine meadows and climbing up to Cascade Pass. Along the way, you’ll get views of several mountain peaks, such as Johannesburg Mountain.
If you want an extra challenge, continue on the steep, rocky Sahale Arm Trail to Sahale Glacier Camp. On a clear day, you can see Mount Rainier from this trail! Keep a lookout for mountain goats and marmots in this area.
You can get a backcountry permit to spend the night at Sahale Glacier Camp.
The trail starts at the end of Cascade River Road, about an hour off Highway 20. While the road is paved for the first portion, it becomes gravel about a third of the way through and opens in late June or early July. The gravel road is maintained and accessible by most vehicles.
While the road opens in early July, the trail can still be snow-covered until mid-to-late July, so check on conditions before starting your hike.
2. Maple Pass Loop
- Distance: 7.0 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time to Hike: 5 to 6 hours
- Region: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- Trailhead: Maple Pass Trailhead, off North Cascades Highway
- Best Time of Year: Mid-July to October
- Permit Required: National Park Pass or Northwest Forest Pass
The Maple Pass Loop is another excellent Cascade Mountains hike that offers scenic alpine vistas and lakes, old-growth forests, and plenty of summer wildflowers.
The trail starts at the Maple Pass Trailhead off North Cascades Highway. This trailhead is very popular, so get here early to find a parking spot!
Hiking this loop counter-clockwise is recommended as it provides a more gradual initial elevation gain. However, it does have a steeper descent returning to the trailhead.
Your first scenic stop is Heather Pass, providing panoramic vistas of the mountains and Lake Ann. If you have extra energy, you can also access the shore of Lake Ann on a spur trail that adds about an hour of hiking.
After several more steep switchbacks, you’ll reach Maple Pass. From the trail’s highest point, you can see mountains in all directions and some of the best views in the Cascades.
The Maple Pass Loop lights up in the fall with stunning yellow colors. So if you’re hunting for North Cascades’ signature larches, visit the Maple Pass Loop and stop at Lake Ann in October.
3. Thornton Lake Trail
- Distance: 10.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time to Hike: 7 to 8 hours
- Region: Ross Lake National Recreation Area
- Trailhead: Thornton Lake Trailhead, off Thornton Lakes Road
- Best Time of Year: Mid-July to September
- Permit Required: National Park Pass or Northwest Forest Pass
The Thornton Lake Trail takes you to a magnificent, remote subalpine lake. This popular trail provides incredible views of the North Cascades backcountry and wildlife like deer, bears, and marmots.
The trail starts 5 miles off Highway 20 along Thornton Lakes Road. This route is gravel and can be steep in sections. While all-wheel-drive isn’t necessary, having a high-clearance vehicle like an SUV is recommended.
The trail initially follows an old logging road through a dense forest of Douglas firs, hemlocks, and cedars for 2 miles before climbing switchbacks through the woods. After about 4.5 miles, the trail opens into a subalpine meadow with views of several surrounding mountains and the Skagit Valley.
From here, you can climb to the saddle of Trapper Peak, about 1000 feet of elevation gain with several scramble sections. Or you can descend the steep half mile down to the shores of Lower Thornton Lake.
4. Blue Lake Trail
- Distance: 4.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 900 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to Hike: 2 to 3 hours
- Region: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- Trailhead: Blue Lake Trailhead, off North Cascades Highway
- Best Time of Year: Mid-July to October
- Permit Required: National Park Pass or Northwest Forest Pass
If you’re looking for an easy trail with stunning mountain and subalpine views, don’t miss the Blue Lake Trail! This route is peaceful and perfect for families and those of all ages.
The hike starts at the Blue Lake Trailhead off Highway 20, near the Maple Pass Trailhead. Be sure to arrive early! This trailhead is popular, and the parking lot only has room for about 20 cars!
You’ll gradually ascend to the lake on a forested trail. However, once you arrive at the lake, the views open up. Blue Lake is surrounded by jagged granite mountains, shimmering a crystal teal color in the sunlight.
Keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats on this trail! In the summer, brave hikers can swim in the frigid lake. In the fall, this area comes alive with stunning yellows and oranges of changing leaves.
5. Hidden Lake Lookout Trail
- Distance: 9.0 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time to Hike: 6 to 8 hours
- Region: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
- Trailhead: Hidden Lake Lookout Trailhead, off Cascade River Road
- Best Time of Year: August or September
- Permit Required: National Park Pass or Northwest Forest Pass
The Hidden Lake Lookout Trail has it all: forests, alpine meadows, wildflowers, rocky slopes, and panoramic views of the North Cascades.
The trail starts at the Hidden Lake Lookout Trailhead and requires some additional navigation to reach. You’ll follow Cascade River Road for 10 miles before driving another 5 miles on Hidden Lake Road. The route is gravel and rough, so be sure you’re in a high-clearance vehicle.
You’ll initially hike through a deeply forested area before crossing Sibley Creek. From here, you’ll climb through wildflower-filled meadows and up to the rocky slopes to the summit. Along the way, you’re rewarded with views of Mount Baker, Sahale Peak, Hidden Lake, and the historic Hidden Lake Lookout Cabin built in 1931.
6. Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk
- Distance: 0.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 26 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to Hike: 30 minutes
- Region: Ross Lake National Recreation Area
- Trailhead: Suspension Bridge behind the Gorge Inn
- Best Time of Year: Year-Round
- Permit Required: None
If you’re looking for a family-friendly and educational hike, don’t miss the Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk. This short half-mile trail is a stroll through an old-growth forest filled with signs about the area’s environment and history.
The trail starts in Newhalem, one of the few North Cascades areas open year-round. This tiny town is inhabited exclusively by utility employees at Seattle City Light who work on the active hydroelectric dams found here.
Look for the suspension bridge that crosses the Skagit River behind the “downtown” area. The trail starts on the other side of the bridge. Parking can be found across Highway 20 in an unpaved parking area.
The forested hike features old firs and cedars and plenty of ferns. You’ll follow the loop to the Newhalem Power Station and back to the suspension bridge, which is easily doable in under 30 minutes.
7. Ladder Creek Falls Trail
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 72 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to Hike: 30 minutes
- Region: Ross Lake National Recreation Area
- Trailhead: Behind the Gorge Powerhouse
- Best Time of Year: Year-Round
- Permit Required: None
If you’re a history buff or fascinated by hydroelectric energy, explore the short Ladder Creek Falls Trail.
The trail starts down the road from Trail of the Cedars behind the Gorge Powerhouse. A short loop takes you through areas of steps and paved trails up to a viewpoint of the waterfall.
One of the more exciting parts of the trail is the numerous electric street lamps scattered throughout the path. The lights illuminate the route at night, and the waterfall changes color from dusk until midnight.
After the walk, visit the inside of the Gorge Powerhouse for an inside look at the hydroelectric dam technology at work. The hydroelectric projects here provide energy for the Seattle metro area. In addition, they are a truly unique feature of North Cascades National Park.
8. Thunder Knob Trail
- Distance: 3.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 425 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time to Hike: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Region: Ross Lake National Recreation Area
- Trailhead: Thunder Knob Trailhead, off North Cascades Highway at Colonial Creek North Campground
- Best Time of Year: Late May to September
- Permit Required: None
The Thunder Knob Trail is among the best hikes for views overlooking Diablo Lake. While you can see the lake up close on the Diablo Lake Trail, the Thunder Knob Trail offers a shorter, more scenic route with panoramic views.
The hike starts in the back of North Colonial Creek Campground. Park at the signed trailhead instead of in the campground and walk through the campground to the trailhead.
The trail climbs moderate switchbacks and hills in and out of forested areas to an overlook high above Diablo Lake. There are plenty of vantage points plus some benches at the trail’s end, perfect for a quick break to take in the views.
This hike provides excellent views of surrounding mountain peaks such as Davis Peak, Jack Mountain, Colonial Peak, and Pyramid Peak.
9. Diablo Lake Trail
- Distance: 7.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time to Hike: 4 to 5 hours
- Region: Ross Lake National Recreation Area
- Trailhead: Diablo Lake Trailhead at the end of Diablo Dam Road
- Best Time of Year: Late May to October
- Permit Required: None
The Diablo Lake Trail takes you to the shores of one of the most popular attractions in North Cascades National Park. Diablo Lake’s deep turquoise color is the signature image of the park. While this lake can be seen from above at Diablo Lake Vista Point, the only way to get up close is on a hike.
The trailhead is at the end of Diablo Dam Road, near the ferry that takes you to Ross Lake Resort. You’ll see waterfalls, old-growth forests, and up-close views of the green-blue Diablo Lake as you hike. Plus, you’ll get views of stunning mountains like Pyramid Peak and Jack Mountain.
The Diablo Lake Trail gets less snow than the hikes at higher altitudes. Therefore, it is an excellent option for those visiting in the early summer months.
10. Cutthroat Lake and Cutthroat Pass Trail
- Distance: 11.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time to Hike: 6 to 7 hours
- Region: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- Trailhead: Cutthroat Trailhead, off National Forest Development Road 400
- Best Time of Year: Late July to early October
- Permit Required: National Park Pass or Northwest Forest Pass
If you’re looking for a more challenging trail to an alpine lake, consider hiking to Cutthroat Lake. While not as scenic as Blue Lake, this hike provides an excellent option for ambitious hikers.
In addition to the lake, hikers can venture up to Cutthroat Pass for the surrounding mountains along the Pacific Crest Trail.
This hike starts at the Cutthroat Trailhead, located on a forest road off Highway 20. Cutthroat Pass can also be reached from the Maple Pass Trailhead by hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail. However, this route does not take you past Cutthroat Lake, so I recommend starting at the official trailhead instead.
The trail features moderate elevation gain for the first few miles to Cutthroat Lake, the perfect spot for a break and picnic lunch. After a break, conquer the steep 4 miles of switchbacks up to Cutthroat Pass with rewarding views of the Cascades in all directions.
In the fall, this route comes alive with plenty of golden yellow larches. The Cutthroat Pass Trail is the perfect option if you’re looking for a less-crowded alternative to the Maple Pass Loop.
11. Rainbow Loop Trail
- Distance: 8.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time to Hike: 5 to 6 hours
- Region: Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
- Trailhead: Stehekin Shuttle
- Best Time of Year: May to October
- Permit Required: None
The Rainbow Loop Trail is the only hike on this list in the Stehekin Valley area of Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. This area is challenging to access, only reachable by boat or by foot. Therefore, most visitors choose to take a ferry to Stehekin, which is a full-day trip.
The trail starts at the shuttle stop for Rainbow Loop and requires taking the Stehekin Shuttle to reach. While the hike is long at nearly 9 miles, the trail is moderate overall, and elevation gain is modest.
You’ll get beautiful views of Lake Chelan, Rainbow Creek, and the Stehekin Valley along the hike. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path walk in a lesser-visited area of North Cascades, don’t miss the Rainbow Loop Trail.
12. Desolation Peak Lookout Trail
- Distance: 9.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 4,400 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time to Hike: 8 to 9 hours
- Region: Ross Lake National Recreation Area
- Trailhead: Desolation Trailhead, transportation available from Ross Lake Resort
- Best Time of Year: August or September
- Permit Required: None
The Desolation Peak Lookout Trail is a more challenging and remote hike in North Cascades National Park Complex. This trail was made famous by the writer Jack Kerouac who spent a summer staying at the fire lookout in 1956.
The trail starts at the Desolation Trailhead located on Ross Lake. The only way to reach this trailhead is a 45-minute boat ride from the Ross Lake Resort. If you don’t opt for the boat, add 16 additional miles on the East Bank Trail to reach the lookout.
The strenuous hike features grueling elevation gain but provides panoramic views of the subalpine meadows and mountains. The views include Skagit Peak, Jack Mountain, and Ross Lake. It is enriching for those seeking solitude.
13. Easy Pass Trail
- Distance: 7.0 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time to Hike: 5 to 7 hours
- Region: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- Trailhead: Easy Pass Trailhead, off North Cascades Highway
- Best Time of Year: August or September
- Permit Required: National Park Pass or Northwest Forest Pass
The Easy Pass Trail has a deceiving name. The strenuous trail climbs nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain in just seven miles. But it provides beautiful views with summer wildflowers and fall colors.
You’ll find the Easy Pass Trailhead along North Cascades Highway. The trail starts by crossing Granite Creek and enters a dense forest filled with firs and hemlocks. After emerging into the meadows, you’ll climb slowly up to Easy Pass, visible in the distance.
This trail is snow-covered late into the season, often until late July or early August, so only hike once the snow has melted unless you’re an experienced winter hiker.
14. Sourdough Mountain Trail
- Distance: 10.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 4,870 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Time to Hike: 8 to 10 hours
- Region: North Cascades National Park
- Trailhead: Sourdough Trailhead, off Diablo Street
- Best Time of Year: August or September
- Permit Required: None
The Sourdough Mountain Trail is the most challenging hike in North Cascades National Park. With nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain, the hike is grueling but worth it. The trail takes you through plentiful switchbacks up to a historic fire lookout with panoramic mountain range views.
The trail starts at the Sourdough Trailhead, just past Gorge Lake Campground. You’ll pass through old-growth forests on steep switchbacks for nearly 4 miles before opening up into alpine meadows.
Atop the ridgeline, you’ll follow the trail to the fire lookout and cabin, originally built in 1933. From the summit, you’re greeted with views of Diablo Lake and Mount Baker on a clear day.
15. Rainy Lake Trail
- Distance: 2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 131 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time to Hike: 1 hour
- Region: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- Trailhead: Maple Pass Trailhead, off North Cascades Highway
- Best Time of Year: Mid-July to October
- Permit Required: National Park Pass or Northwest Forest Pass
If you aren’t up for the Maple Pass Loop, hike the Rainy Lake Trail instead! This short 2-mile out-and-back trail starts at the same trailhead and takes you to a picturesque lake off North Cascades Highway.
The route is short with little elevation, making it the perfect family-friendly trail to occupy your time on this side of the park. If you want more stunning views, continue down Highway 20 after your hike and stop at Washington Pass Overlook.
Frequently Asked Questions About North Cascades National Park Hikes
What are the best short trails in North Cascades?
The best short, easy trails in North Cascades are the Blue Lake Trail, Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk, Ladder Creek Falls Trail, and the Rainy Lake Trail. These trails are best for beginner hikers and still offer the perfect sampler of North Cascades’ beautiful landscapes.
What is the hardest hike in North Cascades National Park?
The hardest hike in North Cascades National Park is the Sourdough Mountain Trail, which climbs nearly 5,000 feet in a 10.4-mile roundtrip hike. This trail averages about 18% elevation grade, making it incredibly steep and unrelenting. However, this challenging hike provides unparalleled views of the Cascade Mountain Range from the Sourdough Mountain Lookout.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park
Hiking is among the best ways to see North Cascades National Park’s alpine beauty and incredible history. This list of the best hikes in North Cascades covers the top-rated trails, including everything from easy to strenuous.
These are the 15 best hikes in North Cascades National Park, ranked:
- Cascade Pass Trail
- Maple Pass Loop
- Thornton Lakes Trail
- Blue Lake Trail
- Hidden Lake Lookout Trail
- Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk
- Ladder Creek Falls Trail
- Diablo Lake Trail
- Cutthroat Pass Trail
- Thunder Knob Trail
- Rainbow Loop Trail
- Desolation Peak Lookout Trail
- Easy Pass Trail
- Sourdough Mountain Trail
- Rainy Lake Trail
If you’re looking for more ideas for your trip to North Cascades, don’t miss this post on the best things to do in North Cascades National Park, especially for non-hiking ideas!
Are you planning a national park trip but don’t know where to start? Get my free 28-page national park ebook where I break down everything you need to know to visit all 63 USA national parks.
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