Know Before You Go, North Cascades National Park

Start Planning! 

You’re about to go on an epic adventure in the North Cascades! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• The tour has two starting points:
  • Eastward - east of Rockport, WA 
  • Westward - east of Mazama, WA
• You’ll need a National Forest Recreation Pass for some of the hikes on the tour - $5 per vehicle. This day pass can be purchased online here or at a self-pay station at the trailheads. Or, you can display your America the Beautiful Pass.
• This tour is available in two directions - east to west and west to east. 
• The park and its facilities are open seasonally, depending on the weather. Visit the NPS’s website before you go.  
• There are no gas stations in the park - fill up before you go! The nearest stations are in Marblemount on the west side and Mazama on the east side. There are electric vehicle charging stations in Newhalem.
• Cell service is spotty. Download the tour using wifi before you get to the park. 
• Food options are limited in the park. The Skagit General Store in Newhalem offers pre-packaged food. Otherwise, the nearest restaurants are in Marblemount or Mazama/Winthrop. 
• This is a bear and cougar country. While the chances of seeing one of these animals are rare, if you do see one, remember to keep your distance (at least 50 yards), make yourself look big, and slowly back away. Do not feed any wildlife.

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

Budget

Most stops do not have an entrance fee; however, there are a few hikes in the national forest that require a National Forest Recreation Pass at $5 per vehicle. 

You can purchase an ePASS here or at a self-pay station at the trailhead. You can also use an America the Beautiful Pass. Traiheads requiring a pass include:

• Rainy Pass (Rainy Lake and Maple Pass Trails)
• Blue Lake Trail
• Cutthroat Lake Trail

If you’re not planning on hiking these trails, you do not need this pass. 

If you’d like to do an optional tour with Skagit Tours - they offer lake tours and a fried chicken dinner at The Gorge Inn - you can certainly do this to accompany the Shaka Guide tour. Fees vary.

Hours of Operation 

The park and its facilities are open seasonally, depending on the weather. Visit the NPS’s website before you go.

Get Packing!

Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• Cell phone (with tour downloaded!)
• Car charger
• Phone mount for car
• Flashlight - for a night hike to Ladder Creek Falls (optional) 
• Binoculars (optional)
• Trekking poles (recommended if hiking to Blue Lake or Maple Pass)
• Waterproof rain jacket or coat 
• Non-cotton/waterproof or quick-dry pants
• Dress in layers (layer with NON-cotton fabric like fleece/wool – for cooler weather or synthetic materials like nylon–for warmer weather). The key is to stay warm and dry! 
• Hiking boots/sturdy shoes if you plan to hike
• Sunscreen & sunglasses 
• Hat
• Water 
• Snacks and/or picnic food (remember to pack up leftovers/don’t leave crumbs) 
• First aid kit/medications
• Emergency roadside assistance kit
• Swimsuit and water shoes if interested in swimming in Diablo Lake (It’s very cold – even in the summer)

Best Time to Visit 

The North Cascades Highway is typically open from mid-April or May through late fall. The best weather is from mid-June to late September. That’s also when the visitor center and other activities - like the Skagit Tours - are in full swing. 

Most snow is off the trails by July and the golden larches put on their fall colors sometime in late September through early October. 

The highway, park facilities, and trails close for the winter typically in November due to heavy snow. 

Safety Information 

• Weather - Be prepared for wind and rain.
• Wildfires - Fires are common in the summer. Before coming, check to see if there are any closures due to wildfires.

NOTE: Check with your lodging for policies regarding cancellations due to wildfires.

Leave No Trace 

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders.

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and carry out memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.