North Cascades National Park

Show on map (360) 854-7200 noca_information@nps.gov

810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Less than three hours from Seattle, an alpine landscape beckons. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth's changing climate. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades.

Directions

Access to North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is from the State Route 20 corridor. SR 20 (North Cascades Highway) connects with Interstate 5 (Exit 230) at Burlington. From the east, the highway intersects with US 97 at Okanogan and with SR 153 at Twisp. The State Department of Transportation closes a portion of the road between Ross Dam Trailhead and Lone Fir Campground in winter. The Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Stehekin) is accessible by ferry or plane from Chelan.

Reviews

North Cascades National Park campgrounds provide beautiful, scenic, and well-maintained sites with easy access to hiking trails, lakes, and rivers. Campers value the clean facilities, helpful ranger staff, and peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere. Many sites offer privacy with bear boxes and fire pits, though some are closer together or near roads, leading to varying noise levels and privacy concerns. Common drawbacks include limited or no showers, occasional insect issues such as mosquitoes, and restricted cell service. Additional challenges include occasional crowding, confusing reservation procedures, and varying enforcement of park rules, especially during busy or fire-affected periods.

Scenic and quiet campgrounds

Clean and well-maintained facilities and bathrooms

Helpful, friendly, and informative rangers and staff

Spacious and private sites with bear boxes and fire pits

Good access to hiking trails, lakes, and water activities

Some sites are close together with limited privacy

Limited or no shower facilities

Noise from nearby roads, other campers, or mechanical alarms

Insect presence like mosquitoes and gnats

Crowding issues during peak seasons and confusing reservations

1,685 reviews

5 stars

1,154

4 stars

348

3 stars

106

2 stars

1 stars

Paul F

Campground:Newhalem Creek Campground

Loop:Loop B

Site:

Reviewed 10 days ago

Enjoyed our stay here. Beautiful river. Good for hiking. Hard to get in but found sites available at the last minute.

Brogan M

Campground:Colonial Creek South Campground

Loop:Colonial Creek South Campground

Site:

Reviewed 21 days ago

Super-clean, well-kept campground in an amazing location, with beautiful views and easy access to many attractions.

Laurie B

Campground:Newhalem Creek Campground

Loop:Loop C

Site:

Reviewed 25 days ago

We were camped in loop C, site 103 (a pull thru). What a beautiful location this was! Quiet and peaceful, surrounded by such beautiful scenery. We really apppreciated how dog friendly NOCA is. A rarity for national parks, and our good girl BARK Ranger goldens appreciated being able to participate in our walks.

Soumya N

Campground:Newhalem Creek Campground

Loop:Loop C

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Loved the campground location and the privacy of the campsite.

Himani G

Campground:Newhalem Creek Campground

Loop:Loop A

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Beautiful and unlike any other