Camping Near North Cascades National Park
Washington | Established 1968
About North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park protects 505,000 acres of rugged mountain terrain containing more than 300 glaciers, the greatest concentration in any national park outside Alaska. The park's west side features lush temperate rainforest while the east side transitions to drier conditions. Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) bisects the park complex, providing the primary access corridor, but closes from November through April due to avalanche risk.
Major campgrounds include Newhalem Creek (107 sites, $24 per night) located one mile from the North Cascades Visitor Center, Colonial Creek South (93 sites, $24 per night) on the shore of Diablo Lake, and Goodell Creek (19 sites, $20 per night) which stays open year-round. All summer campgrounds require reservations through recreation.gov. Free backcountry permits allow camping at designated wilderness sites throughout the park. Sedro-Woolley (40 miles west) and Marblemount (14 miles from Newhalem) serve as gateway towns.
Camping Tips for North Cascades
- Reserve Colonial Creek South Campground early for lakefront camping on turquoise Diablo Lake. The 93 sites at $24 per night fill fast for July and August. Reservations open five months in advance through recreation.gov. Book immediately when your dates become available.
- Goodell Creek Campground stays open year-round with 19 first-come, first-served sites at $20 per night. When other campgrounds close for winter, Goodell Creek provides the only vehicle-accessible camping in the park complex. Arrive by mid-morning on summer weekends for best availability.
- Confirm Highway 20 is open before driving. The North Cascades Highway closes November through April due to avalanche danger. Late snow can delay spring opening into May. Check WSDOT road conditions online before planning your trip since no alternate route exists through the park.
- Apply for backcountry permits by mid-February for popular summer camps including Cascade Camp and Moraine Lake. Free permits are required year-round through recreation.gov. Summer quotas for high-demand sites fill by March. Walk-up permits may be available at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount.
- Use Newhalem Creek as base camp for the visitor center. Located one mile from North Cascades Visitor Center, the 107 sites at $24 per night provide convenient access to ranger programs, trail conditions, and backcountry permit information without additional driving.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near North Cascades National Park
131.Domke Falls Boat-In Campground
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Show more132.Coleman Glacier Climbing Route
Coleman Glacier Climbing Route is a highly-rated campground located in Deming, Washington, offering an excellent base for outdoor enthusiasts. With a perfect 5-star Google rating...
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133.Red Mountain Horse Camp
Red Mountain Horse Camp is a campground located in Maple Falls, Washington, offering a peaceful retreat for visitors. With a Google rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 29...
Show more134.Brookside Mobile Rv Park
Brookside Mobile Rv Park is an all-ages community located in Marysville, WA. The park features 40 sites, with 45% being RV sites. The community has a mix of homes with peaked...
Show more135.Dick Sperry Campground
There is something for everyone on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest National Forest! Find your next adventure by visiting one of our four Ranger Districts and exploring...
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137.Refrigerator Boat-In Campground
Refrigerator Boat-In Campground is a unique waterfront destination located in Chelan, Washington, accessible only by boat. This specialized campground offers a distinctive camping...
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138.High Bridge Campground
High Bridge Campground is a campground located in a scenic area, offering a peaceful and natural environment for visitors. The campground may have various amenities and...
Show more139.Deer Creek Campground
Deer Creek Campground is a well-regarded camping destination located in Granite Falls, Washington. With a solid 4.5-star rating based on 19 reviews, this campground offers a...
Show more140.Hogsback Camp
Hogsback Camp is a highly-rated campground located in Marblemount, Washington, offering a peaceful retreat in the scenic Skagit Valley region. With a perfect 5-star Google rating...
Show moreShowing 131–140 of 198 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Highway 20 open and close?
The North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) typically closes in late November and reopens in late April or May, depending on snow conditions and avalanche risk. The park receives heavy snowfall at higher elevations and the highway crosses passes above 4,000 feet. Check WSDOT for current road status before planning.
Late-season avalanche hazard or heavy spring storms can delay the opening into May. When the highway is closed, no vehicle access exists through the park and you must detour south through Stevens Pass or north through Highway 542 to reach the east side. The highway is well-maintained during the open season but has steep grades, tight curves, and limited cell service throughout the corridor. Road construction projects may cause additional delays during summer.
Which campground has the best lake access?
Colonial Creek South Campground sits directly on the shore of Diablo Lake, a glacier-fed reservoir known for its vivid turquoise color. The 93 sites at $24 per night offer lake access for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. Several sites have direct waterfront views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.
Diablo Lake gets its distinctive turquoise color from glacial rock flour suspended in the water. Kayak and canoe launches are available at the campground boat ramp. Fishing for rainbow trout is popular from shore and by boat. Colonial Creek North (37 sites) provides additional Diablo Lake camping. The Diablo Lake Trail connects Colonial Creek to the Thunder Knob viewpoint, a moderate 3.6-mile roundtrip hike with panoramic lake views. Swimming is possible but water temperatures remain cold year-round.
Are backcountry permits required and how do I get one?
Yes, free backcountry permits are required year-round for overnight camping in the wilderness. Apply through recreation.gov for reserved permits. Walk-up permits are available at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount when quota is not filled. Popular summer camps have limited daily quotas that fill months in advance.
The Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount issues walk-up permits and provides current trail conditions, weather forecasts, and bear canister rentals. Submit permit requests for popular destinations like Cascade Camp and Moraine Lake by mid-February for summer dates. Permits specify your campsite and dates with a maximum 14-day consecutive stay. Bear canisters are required in the backcountry. Campfires are prohibited in most backcountry areas. The permit system protects fragile alpine environments from overuse.
What are the best day hikes from the campgrounds?
Thunder Knob Trail (3.6 miles roundtrip, moderate) from Colonial Creek provides panoramic views of Diablo Lake and surrounding peaks. Cascade Pass Trail (7.4 miles roundtrip, strenuous) reaches alpine meadows at 5,400 feet. The Ladder Creek Falls Trail (0.4 miles, easy) near Newhalem is a short evening walk.
Cascade Pass is the park's most popular backcountry trailhead, continuing beyond the pass to Sahale Arm with glacier views. Parking at Cascade Pass trailhead fills by 10 a.m. on summer weekends, so arrive early or plan for weekday hikes. The Thornton Lake Trail (5.4 miles roundtrip) accesses subalpine lake scenery. Trails at higher elevations may have lingering snow through June. Carry trekking poles, rain gear, and extra layers since weather changes rapidly in the Cascades.
What wildlife should I expect to see?
Black bears are common throughout the park, particularly in late summer when berries ripen. Mountain goats inhabit alpine ridges above tree line. Mule deer browse in forest clearings near campgrounds. Bald eagles and ospreys fish along Diablo and Ross Lakes. Pikas and marmots occupy talus slopes at higher elevations.
Grizzly bear recovery efforts are underway in the North Cascades ecosystem, though sightings remain extremely rare. Black bears are most active near trails in August and September during berry season. Store all food in bear canisters in the backcountry and in vehicles at developed campgrounds. Mountain goats are best spotted along Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm. Wolves have been documented in the park but encounters are unlikely. Report any aggressive wildlife behavior to rangers immediately.
Can I camp year-round at North Cascades?
Goodell Creek Campground is the only developed campground open year-round, with 19 first-come, first-served sites at $20 per night. Newhalem Creek and Colonial Creek campgrounds operate mid-May through early September. Winter camping at Goodell Creek requires cold-weather gear and self-sufficiency since no services operate nearby.
Winter access to Goodell Creek depends on Highway 20 remaining open to the Newhalem area, which is typically maintained year-round for Seattle City Light operations. Beyond Newhalem, the highway closes in November. Winter camping at Goodell Creek means limited daylight, temperatures from the teens to 30s, and no ranger services. Bring all water since campground spigots are shut off. Backcountry camping is permitted year-round with appropriate permits and equipment for alpine winter conditions.
Is Diablo Lake safe for swimming and boating?
Diablo Lake is open for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and non-motorized boating. Water temperatures range from 40 to 55 degrees even in summer due to glacial meltwater. A boat launch at Colonial Creek Campground provides access. No boat rentals are available within the park.
The cold water temperatures make wetsuits or drysuits advisable for extended kayaking or paddling. Afternoon winds can develop quickly on the lake, creating choppy conditions for small boats. Motorized boats are permitted on Diablo Lake and Ross Lake. Ross Lake Resort (accessible only by boat or trail) rents canoes, kayaks, and small motorboats. Fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout is popular with a Washington state fishing license required. No lifeguards are present at any swimming areas.
How remote is North Cascades compared to other national parks?
North Cascades is among the least visited national parks despite being three hours from Seattle. The park has no cell service throughout most of its area, limited facilities, and only one road corridor through the complex. Most visitors see only the Highway 20 roadside areas.
The park's rugged terrain and limited road access mean 93 percent of the land is designated wilderness. Backcountry travel requires map-and-compass navigation skills, river crossing experience, and preparation for rapidly changing mountain weather. The nearest hospital is in Sedro-Woolley (40 miles from Newhalem). Download offline maps and trail information before entering the park. Despite low visitation numbers, the accessible campgrounds along Highway 20 fill during peak summer weeks.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- Free (no entrance fee)
- Best Time to Visit
- June – September
- Nearest Town
- Sedro-Woolley, WA, Marblemount, WA, Concrete, WA
- Elevation
- 605 – 9,206 ft
- Park Size
- 505,000 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~0.3 million