The North Cascades are one of Washington’s most spectacular hiking destinations, with hundreds of miles of trails through alpine lakes, glaciers, old-growth forests, and dramatic mountain ridges. The park sits about two hours northeast of Seattle and stays under the radar compared to bigger Washington national parks like Mt. Rainier, which means more solitude on most trails.
I’ve been hiking the North Cascades every summer and fall since 2019, with my favorite trip being October to catch the golden larches. The 10 best hikes in North Cascades National Park below cover everything from accessible family trails to longer moderate routes with serious views. I’ve personally hiked most of these and have included details on four more popular trails that consistently top hiker lists if you want more options for your trip.
If you only have a day to spare, check out my guide on how to plan a one-day visit to the North Cascades. For other hiking inspiration nearby, see my guides on the best easy hikes in Washington, best hikes in Washington, and waterfall hikes near Seattle.
Tips for North Cascades National Park Hiking
North Cascades National Park is about two hours northeast of Seattle without traffic, and that’s just to get to the park’s entrance. If your destination is farther into the park, plan to drive at least 3 hours. I’ve made the trip in one day many times, but consider making it part of a longer road trip from Seattle when you can.
A few things to know before you go:
- The main road into the park (Highway 20) closes during winter and most of spring. Check WSDOT’s website for the current road status.
- Go as early as possible since parking lots fill up fast, especially in the summer and fall weekends.
- Download trail maps ahead of time since most of the park has no cell service. The AllTrails app is great for this.
- Be bear aware. Black bears are common throughout the park, and a small number of grizzly bears live here, too. Learn bear safety tips before you go.
- No entrance fee for North Cascades National Park, unlike most national parks.
10 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park
1. Trail of the Cedars
Mileage: 0.3 miles, loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty Level: Easy
Location: Newhalem (milepost 120 on Highway 20)
Trail of the Cedars is one of the best easy hikes in North Cascades National Park and a great option for little kids who still want to feel like they got outdoors. The trail starts in the small village of Newhalem and crosses a suspension bridge over the Skagit River before looping through a grove of towering western red cedars, some over 800 years old.
I normally do longer hikes when I’m in the North Cascades, but I was exploring the Marblemount area for guidebook research and noticed the suspension bridge. AllTrails told me it was a quick hike, so I stopped to check it out. The bouncy bridge over the turquoise Skagit River alone makes it worth the visit, and the old-growth cedars feel ancient.
The trail is wheelchair-friendly with a gravel path and almost no elevation gain. Interpretive signs throughout explain the forest ecology, and the historic Newhalem Powerhouse sits at the far end of the loop. No permits or fees required. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes total. If you want more low-effort options nearby, my list of the best easy hikes in Washington covers other beginner-friendly trails across the state.
2. Ladder Creek Falls
Mileage: 0.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 660 feet (over a short distance)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ladder Creek Falls isn’t a hike in the traditional sense, but it’s one of the best family hikes in North Cascades National Park, especially if you’re traveling with kids or anyone who’s not really up for a real hike. The short walk takes you from the Skagit River to the third tier of a beautiful multi-level waterfall behind the historic Gorge Powerhouse.
I love stopping here because walking across the bridge to see the waterfall is fun even for adults. The bridge crosses right over the Skagit River with views you wouldn’t expect from such a short trail. What makes this stop unique is the colorful light display that illuminates the falls and gardens at night, running year-round from dusk until midnight.
The trail is paved but has a steep ascent over a very short distance, which is why the elevation gain looks high relative to the distance. Worth it for the view, but not stroller-friendly. Plan on 20 to 30 minutes. The Newhalem Creek campground is nearby if you want to camp and catch the light show after dark. For more easy waterfall stops in Washington, see my guide to the best waterfall hikes near Seattle.
3. Cutthroat Lake
Mileage: 3.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Difficulty Level: Easy
Cutthroat Lake is one of the best day hikes in North Cascades National Park, with a peaceful alpine lake at the end and minimal effort to get there. I did this hike in October 2022 after my friend and I had to scrap our plans to do the longer Cutthroat Pass hike. Fire season smoke made the 10-mile route a bad idea that day.
What we got instead turned out to be a great find. The trail has very little elevation gain, making it ideal for beginners or families with small kids. The path winds through the forest before opening up at Cutthroat Lake, which is small but beautiful with rocky peaks rising up on the far side. We took a long snack break by the water and enjoyed the early larches starting to turn gold.
The parking lot is right off Highway 20, so it’s easy to add to any North Cascades day trip. If you have energy and time to spare, you can extend the hike to Cutthroat Pass for bigger views, though that pushes the total to around 10 miles. If fall hiking is your thing, my list of the best larch hikes in Washington covers other golden larch trails worth chasing in late September.
4. Blue Lake
Mileage: 4.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,050 feet
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Blue Lake is one of the best moderate hikes in North Cascades National Park and easily one of the most photogenic. Just two miles from the North Cascades Highway, the trail leads you to a sparkling azure lake surrounded by towering mountain peaks, forests, and wildflower meadows.
I’ve done this hike twice (in the summer of 2019 and the fall of 2022), and it was just as beautiful each time. Here’s my tip: once you get to the lake, don’t look around the steep southern side. Instead, follow a log bridge until you reach an area perfect for a picnic by the lake.
This trail is one of the best North Cascades hikes in multiple seasons. The lake is swimmable in summer, and the larches turn gold in fall, making it one of the best fall hikes in Washington. The parking lot fills up fast on weekends, especially during larch season, so plan to arrive early.
5. Heather Maple Pass Loop
Mileage: 7.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
Difficulty Level: Moderate
The iconic Maple Pass Loop is just off the North Cascades Highway and easily accessible from the Rainy Pass Picnic Area. This hike holds a special place in my heart because it was the first hike in the North Cascades I ever did, and a solo one at that, during a beautiful fall day in 2019. Many other hikers agree that this is one of the best hikes in Washington.
If you’re lucky enough to hike this one in the fall, you’re in for an extra special treat. The golden larches that dot the trail put on a display that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a painting. It’s an annual phenomenon I attend every single year, and it’s not just me. This is one of the most popular fall hikes in the park, so plan to arrive early.
For those who have an extra hour to spare, head down to the famous Lake Ann. The lake sits in a dramatic cirque just outside the park’s borders and is one of the region’s prettiest stops. This hike is also a perfect addition if you’re planning a Seattle to Banff road trip.
6. Diablo Lake Hike
Mileage: 7.6 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Diablo Lake is one of the most iconic stops in North Cascades National Park, and the hike along the lake is one of the best moderate hikes in North Cascades National Park. The man-made lake is fed by glaciers that give it a stunning natural-looking turquoise color, and the towering snow-capped mountains in the backdrop only add to the scene.
Here’s a secret I discovered after many stops at the Diablo Lake Overlook: there’s an incredible hike hiding just below. While I love going to Lake Crescent on a day trip to Olympic National Park, this Diablo Lake trail holds its own when it comes to views.
If you’re visiting during the summer months, there’s a ferry from Diablo Dock that’ll bring you back to the trailhead. It runs twice a day at 9 am and 3:30 pm and costs about $10. Otherwise, you can return the way you came, with stops at either the Ross Lake lookout or the suspension bridge. For backpackers, there’s boat-in camping available on Diablo Lake. Colonial Creek Campground and Gorge Lake Campground are both within an easy distance from Diablo Lake.
7. Cascade Pass Trail
Mileage: 7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Cascade Pass is consistently ranked as one of the best places to hike in North Cascades National Park and dates back to before the park was established. The trail was used by Indigenous populations and fur traders long before it became one of the most popular hiking routes in the area.
The hike rewards you with panoramic views of Johannesburg Mountain, Cascade Peak, and the snow-capped Eldorado Peak. Once you reach Cascade Pass, you’re treated to views of the deep Stehekin River, Magic Mountain, and Pelton Peak. For an even more adventurous trip, you can hike down into Stehekin (a remote community accessible only by boat, plane, or trail).
Camping is available at Sahale Glacier Camp and Johannesburg Camp for those backpacking North Cascades. The trail is best from late July through October. The road to the trailhead (Cascade River Road) is unpaved for the final 13 miles and not recommended for vehicles with low clearance.
For a longer trip, see my complete guide on the best places to stay near North Cascades National Park with 12 hotels, cabins, and camping options.
8. Easy Pass
Mileage: 7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Hard
Despite its name, Easy Pass isn’t an easy hike at all. The trail features steep, rocky slopes and exposed sections, which makes it one of the more challenging moderate hikes in North Cascades National Park. But the payoff is worth the effort.
Once you reach the top, you’re treated to views of Golden Horn and Mount Henry in the distance, Fisher Basin and Fisher Peak in the foreground, and glacial valleys near Mount Logan. If you time your trip for autumn, you’ll see golden subalpine larches paired with snow-capped peaks. Easy Pass is one of the most photogenic fall hikes in the park.
The trailhead is along the North Cascades Highway about 6 miles east of Rainy Pass. After a hike like this, you’ll probably want to celebrate. Head to a local brewery on your way back to Seattle to wind down.
9. Hidden Lake Trail
Mileage: 8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3,300 feet
Difficulty Level: Hard
Hidden Lake Trail is one of the most rewarding hard hikes in North Cascades National Park, taking you well above the tree line to a summit that looks unreachable from below. While it’s not as tough as the Mount St. Helens summit hike, you’ll want some hiking experience before tackling it.
The hike starts in a thick forest filled with wildflowers and ends at a rugged granite lookout, with the entire stretch of the North Cascades laid out in front of you. The Hidden Lake Lookout building itself is one of the most photographed structures in the park.
If you want to extend the trip, you can snag a camping spot on a first-come, first-served basis. For colder months, pack proper gear and be ready for technical climbing to reach the summit. The road to the trailhead has potholes and requires high clearance for the last few miles.
10. Thunder Creek
Mileage: 12 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
Difficulty Level: Hard
Thunder Creek is the gateway to backpacking North Cascades. The trail stretches over 30 miles into the backcountry but works as a long day hike for the front portion. The trailhead is at Colonial Creek Campground near Diablo Lake.
This trail is more about the journey than the destination. The route follows the pale green Thunder Creek through old-growth forest with peek-a-boo views of the park’s snow-capped peaks. Backpackers will find several established camps along the trail, including McAllister Camp and Colonial Creek Camp.
If you’re up for the full 12-mile day hike, plan on 6 to 7 hours total. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and proper hiking shoes. For more long-distance Pacific Northwest trail options, see my list of the best hikes in Washington.
FAQ: Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park
Here are some common questions I often get.
What is the best hike in North Cascades National Park?
The Heather Maple Pass Loop is my personal favorite and one of the most popular hikes in the park. It’s a 7.2-mile moderate loop with stunning alpine views, especially during fall when the golden larches turn. For an easier option, Blue Lake delivers big views in just 4.4 miles, and Trail of the Cedars is the easiest way to experience the park’s old-growth forest.
What is the best month to hike North Cascades National Park?
August and September are the best months to hike the North Cascades. The snow from the previous winter has fully melted, but new snow hasn’t arrived yet. Late September is especially magical for catching golden larches on trails like Maple Pass, Blue Lake, Easy Pass, and Cutthroat Lake. July and early August are also great for wildflowers.
Is there an entrance fee for North Cascades National Park?
No. North Cascades National Park has no entrance fee, making it one of the few major US national parks that are completely free to visit. You will need a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass for some trailheads on adjacent US Forest Service land.
What should I pack for hiking the North Cascades?
Bugs can be brutal during summer, so bring bug spray. Temperatures can hit the 90s in midsummer, so pack sunscreen and plenty of water. Bear spray is a smart precaution since both black bears and a small number of grizzlies live in the park. Always bring layers, snacks, a paper or downloaded map (cell service is unreliable), and proper hiking shoes.
Can you camp anywhere in North Cascades National Park?
Backcountry camping is allowed in North Cascades National Park with a backcountry permit, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis at park visitor centers. Otherwise, camping is only allowed in established campgrounds like Colonial Creek, Newhalem Creek, and Goodell Creek. For boat-in camping, Diablo Lake has designated sites accessible by water.
Are the hikes in North Cascades National Park family-friendly?
Yes, several hikes are great for families. Trail of the Cedars, Ladder Creek Falls, and Cutthroat Lake all have minimal elevation gain and short distances, making them ideal for young kids. For older kids ready for a longer day, Blue Lake at 4.4 miles is one of the best family hikes in North Cascades National Park.
Whether it’s a short hike or backpacking in the North Cascades, you’ll love your time there. Narrowing down the best hikes in the North Cascades can be tough, so pick a few to do throughout the summer and fall. Leave a comment below, and let me know which one is your favorite if you go!
