North Cascades
National Park
North Cascades National Park, often called the “American Alps,” is a stunning and completely free national park located in Washington state, just about two hours from Seattle. Surprisingly, despite its proximity to a major city, it ranks as the second least-visited national park in the U.S. In 2024, the National Park Service reported only 16,485 visitors to the park.
To put that in perspective, nearby Mount Rainier National Park welcomed around 2.4 million visitors, while Olympic National Park saw a staggering 3.7 million. The contrast is striking, and makes North Cascades a hidden gem for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.
North Cascades At a Glance
North Cascades National Park is completely free to visit.
North Cascades National Park is located in northern Washington. The closest major city to North Cascades National Park is Seattle, which is 108 miles ,a little over 2 hours, away. However, Vancouver, Canada is also an option at 125 miles and about 2 hours, 45 minutes away.
Since the main road into the park (Highway 20) is closed between late November until April or early May every year due to snow and avalanche threats, we suggest visiting in mid to late May until mid October. The crowds will be a bit higher in the summer, but that’s still the best time of year to visit!
Reservations are not required to enter the park.
Different Areas of the Park
The North Cascades National Park complex is made up of the national park areas, as well as the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. In these national recreation areas, as well as the national forests surrounding the park, dogs ARE allowed.
A Weekend in the North Cascades Itinerary
Looking for the best things to do in the North Cascades? In this North Cascades National Park itinerary and guide we’re sharing the best hikes, viewpoints, towns, and where to stay! Ready to explore the beautiful North Cascades? Keep on reading!
