Best trails in North Cascades National Park

4.5(11,561 reviews)

United States
:
#26 of 60 national parks

North Cascades National Park is a rugged, wilderness of conifer trees. The park features hiking trails along tree covered mountains that seem to stretch on forever, alpine meadows, impressive glaciers, the Skagit River, and stunning views of alpine lakes like Lake Ann or Diablo Lake. Scenic drives along the North Cascades Highway, boating on Ross Lake, climbing at Cascade Pass, Mount Shuksan, Mount Triumph, and Eldorado Peak, visiting the Stehekin Valley at the northern tip of Lake Chelan, and access to viewing wildlife such as grizzly bears, beaver, gray wolves, and over than 200 bird species are just some of your options.

Commercial boats and floatplanes are used to access the Stehekin area of the park. Please contact those services directly to ask about accessibility.

Top trails

#1 - Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail

4.9(3718)

•Hard

•11.6 mi

The first several miles of this Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail include relatively easy switchbacks that develop into challenging inclines over dirt, gravel, and loose rock hiking trails close to the summit. Much of the trail is exposed and can get hot, so make sure you bring plenty of water. Since the trail covers diverse terrain, it is recommended to wear sturdy footwear and bring hiking poles to make the steeper areas easier. This hike is amazing for nature, animal sightings, and...

#2 - Cascade Pass Trail

Follow the Cascade River Road from Marblemount for 23 miles to the trailhead. The road is paved initially and then becomes gravel, with some large potholes and narrow and steep at the end, so a high-clearance vehicle is needed to reach it. The Cascade Pass parking lot typically opens by the end of June or July. This is the most popular trail in the national park and can be pretty crowded on weekends. Dogs are not allowed.

#3 - Cascade Pass Trail to Doubtful Lake

Cascade Pass Trail is arguably one of the park's most beautiful and popular trails. The challenging singletrack trail leads to Cascade Pass, an alpine mountain pass at 5,391 feet, with panoramic views of the North Cascades. This route continues northeast and descends to Doubtful Lake, a scenic alpine lake below Sahala Arm. This trailhead will fill up on weekends and holidays. There are two pit toilets at the trailhead.

#4 - Sahale Arm Trail to Sahale Mountain

4.9(479)

•Hard

•12.8 mi

Begin by hiking up a long series of switchbacks to a point overlooking Doubtful Lake. From this point, you hike up the ridge line and arrive at a talus field. The rocky trail leads to a camp at the base of the glacier. The route to the summit crosses the Sahale Glacier to the summit of the mountain. Crossing the glacier should not be attempted without prior glacier travel experience and a healthy knowledge of glacier travel best practices. This is considered one of the most beautiful areas in...

#5 - Trappers Peak via Thornton Lakes Trail

4.8(679)

•Hard

•9.7 mi

This trail begins at the end of Thornton Lakes Road, where parking and restrooms are available. The road to the trailhead is bumpy with many potholes, so high-clearance vehicles are recommended. The trail leads through Ross Lake National Recreation Area and North Cascades National Park, culminating at the summit of Trappers Peak. It's a challenging climb recommended for experienced hikers. Be prepared for long, steep inclines, exposed tree roots in the forest, and rocky scramble sections...

#6 - Thornton Lakes Trail

This is a challenging but rewarding hike. The trail is very rocky, with lots of roots, and can be slippery when descending down to the lake. The trail is mostly shaded. The forest is very pleasant and the lake is gorgeous! The road to the trailhead is bumpy with many potholes. High-clearance vehicles are recommended. A backcountry camping permit is needed for all overnight stays in the backcountry.

#7 - Agnes Gorge Trail

This trail ends at a beautiful gorge with a cascading waterfall. The NRA is only open for day use, no camping. The nearest campsites are Turnwater and High Bridge and both of these require a backcountry permit. You can not use the Agnes Creek trailhead to reach this trail, as that leads to the PCT.

#8 - Eldorado Peak via Eldorado Basin Trail

4.8(192)

•Hard

•8.1 mi

This is a very difficult mountaineering route that requires climbing gear, scrambling experience, and route-finding skills. A majority of the trail is unmarked, so you'll be finding your way across fields of scree and snow. The trail starts by crossing the Cascade River. This crossing can be very difficult depending on the time of year. After crossing the river, you will climb steeply through a forested area that is often overgrown and muddy. Near the top, you will likely encounter snow and...

#9 - Copper Ridge Trail To Copper Lake

This route is dog friendly only until you reach North Cascades National Park. Boundary Camp, Silesia Camp, Egg Lake Camp, and Copper Lake itself are all within the National Park boundary. You can hike to the boundary (a little under halfway) and turn around after you reach Hannegan Pass. If you are planning a backpacking trip with your dog, check out other routes that are entirely in the National Forest.

#10 - Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp

Begin with a long climb up to Cascade Pass. After enjoying the view, descend down into the stunning river valley with the Stehekin River flowing through it. The Cottonwood Camp is located near the confluence of the river and a tributary stream. Small alpine mammals such as marmots and pikas are often spotted.

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Visitor info

Hours & contact

Open 24 hours

Passes & fees

No fee required

Accessibility

General park hours

Every day • Open 24 hours

Phone

(360) 854-7200

No entrance fee or pass is required.

Annual pass

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Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.

$80

Purchase pass

Overview

North Cascades National Park does not charge an entrance fee, but the Interagency Access Pass allows pass holders to receive a 50% discount on other park amenities, such as camping.

The North Cascades Visitor Center, Sedro-Woolley information station, and Wilderness Information Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms.

Loaner wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and Braille and text materials are available.

Additional information about accessibility at North Cascades National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/accessibility-index.htm

Facilities

The Golden West Visitor Center is likely accessible with assistance due to the steep and uneven surface on the approach. Orientation films include closed captioning.

The Newhalen, Goodell Creek, and Lower Hozomeen Boat Launch Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.

There are accessible restrooms at the following trailheads: Shadows of the Sentinal Trail, Skagit General Store, Gorge Creek Falls, Diablo Lake Overlook, Happy Creek Forest Walk, Rainy Lake Trail, Washington Pass Overlook, and Hozomeen Campground.

Camping

The Upper and Lower Goodell Group Campgrounds have 1 individual wheelchair accessible camping site each and wheelchair accessible restrooms.

The Newhalem Creek Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and wheelchair accessible restrooms.

The Colonial Creek Campground has 3 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and wheelchair accessible restrooms.

Service animals

Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.

Guides

Top Picks in North Cascades National Park

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Hidden Gems in North Cascades National Park

5 trails

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Trail reviews for North Cascades National Park

15,919 trailgoers Busiest in August

Wa Manning

Aug 21, 2025•Hiking

I got to the trailhead at 6:30 on a Thursday morning. The lot was fairly full already by that time. There is a lot of extra parking short of the lot alongside the road and there were a lot of cars there when I left. The road is easily passable with about any car. It is quite washboarded and will be a bumpy ride for the hour long trip once you turn off the highway. Going to Cascade pass was an enjoyable hike that I would classify as moderate. After that, the trail gets quite a bit more steep and rocky and is not an easy hike. I stopped a couple hundred feet below the climbers camp because I lost the trail and got into some steep and slippery areas. I could not believe how busy the trail was all day. North Cascades national Park doesn’t get a lot of love, but it sure did on this hike. The views were beautiful. One daddy goat, was almost on the trail and didn’t seem bothered by anyone passing. A baby goat was probably 20 feet off of the trail and crying for its mother. I filtered some water on the way back to my car about a quarter mile from Cascade pass. Beyond Cascade pass there is not much water to be had.

Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail

Michael Collodi

Sep 7, 2025•Hiking

Bathrooms available

Great trail into the higher alpine area of North Cascades National Park. The conditions were VERY cloudy and overcast with low visibility. It was nt as steep as I expected with the amount of switchbacks at the first half of the trail. We turned around before reaching the pass or the lake because we wouldn't be able to see the lake. I expect the hike would have been phenomenal if we could see the mountains around us. I would definitely do this hike again in better weather conditions. There is relatively limited parking at the trailhead, so arrive early to guaranty parking close.

Cascade Pass Trail

Gary Hall

Sep 15, 2025

Bathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

AMAZING HIKE!! Switchbacks to the cascade pass. Then up to the arm, which has absolutely amazing views. We have been to most of the National Parks - top three hikes of all of them for us. Must do hike in North Cascades!

Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail

Joe Pyrz

Aug 11, 2025•Hiking

Great conditionsGreat views

Great hike, amazing views. The hike is a steady climb up switchbacks, very doable for most people, but it's a work out. Saw a black bear at the top working his way down the mountain. We arrived at 7am Monday and got a parking spot at the top, but was filling up fast. More parking down the road though. The gravel road is pretty rough, but we did it with a basic AWD SUV with not problem, just take it slow. Very crowded trail, steady stream of people the whole time. But it was all worth it, when you know these things going in just roll with it. There's a reason it's the most popular hike in North Cascades NP.

Cascade Pass Trail

Michael Collodi

Sep 11, 2025•Hiking

Good conditionsNot crowded

A lovely hike toward the border of North Cascades NP near Anges Creek. The trail is flat except for the short incline at the beginning of the trail and the descent to the river at the end of the trail. The river at the end is worth the trip.

Agnes Gorge Trail

Chris Strode

Sep 17, 2024•Hiking

Good conditionsNot crowded

From Stehekin High Bridge to Cutthroat pass. North Cascades NP on the PCT is largely uninteresting

Stehekin Valley to Rainy Pass via North Fork

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in North Cascades National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in North Cascades National Park is Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail, which has a 4.9 star rating from 3,718 reviews. This trail is 11.6 mi long with an elevation gain of 3,963 ft.

What is the longest trail in North Cascades National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in North Cascades National Park is The Great North Cascades Traverse. This trail is estimated to be 87.5 mi long.

How many trails are in North Cascades National Park?

There are 45 trails in North Cascades National Park. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 11,561 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in North Cascades National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, North Cascades National Park has you covered. The Great North Cascades Traverse boasts the most elevation gain with 19,015 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Mount Challenger: Challenger Glacier Route, which will get you 16,430 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in North Cascades National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 27 camping trails in North Cascades National Park and the most popular is Sahale Arm Trail to Sahale Mountain with an average 4.9 star rating from 479 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in North Cascades National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 7 running trails in North Cascades National Park and the most popular is Cascade Pass Trail to Doubtful Lake with an average 4.9 star rating from 1,019 community reviews.