The Vacation Finder

If you somehow happened to ask us which USA Public Park we believe is the most undervalued, we would, without a second thought, reply: North Fountains Public Park.
From the striking blue and azure waters of Diablo Lake, the famous Liberty Bell Mountain, or the charming village of Stehekin which is only accessible by boat and hiking North Cascades National Park is packed with a ton of incredible experiences.

In terms of scenic beauty, North Cascades and its 315 glaciers and 413 miles of trails are probably some of the spectacular places in any part of the globe, yet it may be ranked as one of the least visited National Parks in the United States.

CNN has reported that in 2021, there were less than 17,855 leisure tourists in North Cascades National Park.

Perform that to the millions of individuals that discover the big brands like Great Smoky, Zion and Yellowstone, and you may (inaccurately) suppose which you have the entire park to yourself.

North Cascades National Park At A Glance

North Cascades National Park

Accessible: Technically accessible year-round, but highly limited access and few services provided from late September to late May
Entrance Fee: Free to all guests
Wildlife: Mountain goats, deer, bears, beavers and rattlesnakes which are common on the dry eastern part of the state. For instance, due to the size of the Yellowstone, 27 tribes inhabited this area. The dry eastern side)
Established: October 2, 1968
Ancestral Lands: example: Given the expanse of Yellowstone, 27 tribes called this territory home. The Crow, Umatilla, Shoshone, Bannock, and Blackfeet, some of the area’s most well-known tribes were known to hunt and gather in the region.
Area: 505,000 acres
The guide the process of getting to North Cascades National Park North Cascades National Park is slightly as far as between Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, BC – 108 and 125 miles (201 kilometres), approximately 2-hour drive. Low stone, 27 tribes called this territory home. Tribes including the Crow, Umatilla, Shoshone, Bannock, and Blackfeet frequented the region for hunting and gathering.
Area: 505,000 acres

How to travel to North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is almost similar distance between Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, BC. 108 miles and 125 miles (201 kilometers), respectively—about 2 hours travel time. Many visitors reach either city by air, and by car the distance is approximately 2.5 hours given the traffic lights.
The little college town of Bellingham, near the Canadian border, also has an airport, but it’s considerably smaller and provides restricted flights.
There are no shuttles or public transit that go into North Cascades, however you may be able to locate a day trip excursion departing from Seattle in the summer.

Getting about in North Cascades National Park

Unlike many big national parks, North Cascades does not have any form of primary shuttle system. This is one park you certainly need a vehicle to see.
There is the boat system on Lake Chelan to access Stehekin in the summer, but that’s the sole kind of “public transportation” in the park. Once there, there’s a shuttle that operates just within the Stehekin Valley.

Wanna test out vanlife while visiting North Cascades National Park?

North Cascades National Park

It’s no secret we’re infatuated with #vanlife. However, if you don’t have the time (or interest!) in creating your own conversion but you still want to give vanlife a test drive, we’ve got choices for you…
Check out our list of top providers for USA Campervan Rentals, from affordable to bougie, we’ve even included some unique offers for our readers! Or, if you know you’ll be beginning in Seattle, we also offer a guide to the finest campervan rentals in Seattle specifically.
One firm we’d recommend checking at is Escape Campervans. They have 12 different sites across North America (including Seattle!) and come fully stocked with all the stuff you need for an exciting road trip. Plus, their pricing are reasonable and inexpensive.

How Many Days’ Worth Of Activity Are There At North Cascades National Park?

For anyone especially a lover of hiking, we suggest 2-3 days should be dedicated to exploring North Cascades National Park. You can get away with one full day, best if you’re planning on visiting Seattle and no longer have time for anything else. However, that will not enable you to do a whole lot more than drive around the park and look at some scenery.

High Or Low Time For Going To North Cascades National Park

The best time to go to North Cascades National Park is for approximately 3 months from mid-June to mid-October.

Summer in North Cascades

Summer is probably the greatest time to visit North Cascades National Park since you will be able to explore the entire park and the highest possibilities of hiking and camping (which is why most people come in the first place!).
But be warned: Being that the higher-elevation snowfall doesn’t melt away until late in the summer, there is a very narrow window for undertaking some of the main treks in North Cascades.
We learnt this out the hard way when we went to go on a trek in early July and had to turn around mid-way because the route was too packed with snow. For that reason, it is a favorite site for backcountry skiers to get in some turns in the summer!

Fall in North Cascades

North Cascades is a favorite site to capture some early and vivid fall colors between the end of September and early October (the precise date changes from year to year).
Be prepared for snowfall and freezing weather beginning in September.

Winter & Spring in North Cascades

Winter and spring are tough periods to visit North Cascades since snowstorms and avalanches are highly prevalent.
Part of Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) is blocked during the winter, making parts of this National Park inaccessible to most tourists during this season.