North Cascades National Park, Washington

Looking for the best hiking in North Cascades National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around North Cascades National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near North Cascades National Park

  • Marblemount, Washington

    Terror Basin and West McMillan Spire

    16.98 mi / 8868 ft gain
    The Picket Range is a remote and rugged subrange of Washington's North Cascades. It draws very few visitors per year, and the odds of seeing another human on your adventure are very low. West McMillan Spire is an 8,000' peak located in the Southern Pickets. It is a Class 3 climb involving bot...
    Read more
  • Rockport, Washington

    Photograph Ketchum Falls

    0.2 mi / 1388 ft gain
    ...After spending my 3 days exploring and capturing the partial lunar eclipse at North Cascades National Park in Washington, I was eager to find another adventure that I haven't done yet or others didn't know much about. As I was driving East leaving Gorge Creek Falls, .9 miles on my left I spott...
    Read more
  • Rockport, Washington

    Sourdough Mountain Trail

    5.0
    9.34 mi / 5046 ft gain
    Going east from Newhalem on highway 20, turn off towards the small town of Diablo. There are signs from there on where to park. This hike is very difficult. It is very steep and gains elevation very quickly and right from the start. Once you get above tree line though you are greeted with great ...
    Read more
  • Rockport, Washington

    Hike to Pyramid Lake

    2.1 mi / 1500 ft gain
    Day hike with moderate elevation gain, 2.1 miles one way. You will be going up, up, up until you get to the top where you will find the lake. Take your time going up - take breaks and stop to check out the forest around you. There were a few times where we found it difficult to follow the trail (...
    Read more
  • Marblemount, Washington

    Thornton Lakes & Trappers Peak

    3.7
    10.57 mi / 3885 ft gain
    To get to your campground or to Trappers Peak, hike roughly five miles along the trail to ridge, where the trail divides. If you head left you'll go down into lake basis where you can drop your gear. Come back to the divide and head right, which will lead you up to trappers peak. Something to ke...
    Read more
  • Marblemount, Washington

    Winter ascent of Trappers Peak

    9.78 mi / 3448 ft gain
    North Cascade National Park is home to some of the most rugged and remote mountains in the lower 48 states. Because of this, the area is rarely seen up close and personal in the winter, but there are a few spots where you can see these wild mountains that will defy all imagination. In terms of lo...
    Read more
  • Rockport, Washington

    Camping in the North Cascades at Diablo Lake

    4.0
    Diablo lake is the perfect place to camp if you're looking for solitude and natural beauty. It's northeast from Seattle in the North Cascades. Colonial Creek Campground has large camp sites right on the lake. It is first come first serve, however check out is at noon so arrive around 11:30 to sna...
    Read more
  • Marblemount, Washington

    Hike Lazy Bear Falls

    3.0
    To get to Lazy Bear Falls, take Bacon Creek Road off the North Cascade Highway for 5 miles. At the 3-way fork, take the left road, which will lead you down and over a bridge crossing Bacon Creek. From here, the road will require 4x4 and high clearance.From here, continue up the road for about 0.5...
    Read more
  • Rockport, Washington

    Backpack to High Camp on Ruby Mountain

    17 mi / 6300 ft gain
    Ruby Mountain is one of the North Cascades more prominent peaks, sitting high above Diablo and Ross Lakes. This trip is one for more experienced hikers with a very aggressive incline from start to finish. If that does not scare you then definitely add this amazing hike to your list. While it can ...
    Read more
  • Rockport, Washington

    Backpack to Fourth of July Pass from Thunder Creek

    11.2 mi / 2400 ft gain
    Starting at the Colonial Creek Campgrounds, the trail starts out fairly flat taking you along Thunder Creek for about two miles to the Fourth of July Pass trail head. Once you reach here, the trail begins to climb.Beginning with switch backs, the path straightens out for a while before coming to ...
    Read more
  • Rockport, Washington

    Backpack Thunder Creek

    10.48 mi / 1027 ft gain
    This hike along Thunder Creek in North Cascades National Park is perfect for families and beginner backpackers. The trail is at a lower elevation in the park so it is a great early-season hike, but be sure to check with the ranger station for trail and weather conditions before you go. Starting ...
    Read more
  • Rockport, Washington

    Hike to Ross Dam

    5.0
    2 mi
    This is a short hike at just under 2 miles round-trip, with little elevation change. The trail begins at a parking area, alongside Washington Route 20. The hike takes you through the forest to an overlook of both Ross Dam and Ross Lake, before making the final descent down to the dam. The trail i...
    Read more
  • Concrete, Washington

    Mt. Shuksan via The Sulphide Glacier Route

    13.62 mi / 6230 ft gain
    NOTE: This is a very challenging mountaineering adventure. Please do not attempt without the proper skill, knowledge, and equipment.  The Sulphide Glacier is the easiest and most popular route to the summit of Mt. Shuksan, and is a great beginner’s glacier + rock climb. More experienced climbers...
    Read more
  • Concrete, Washington

    Anderson and Watson Lake

    5.68 mi / 1165 ft gain
    The drive up to the starting point of the trail to Anderson and Watson Lake was easy, but at the end it gets a little tricky - the service road is sharp gravel and runs for about 10 miles to the trailhead. Some spots are steep and there are large potholes, but slow and steady wins the race. There...
    Read more
  • Marblemount, Washington

    Lookout Mountain Trail

    5.0
    9.06 mi / 4610 ft gain
    Beginning about 7 miles down the Cascade River Road from Marblemount, the Lookout Mountain Lookout trailhead is on the north side of the road with parking for about 4-5 cars. With about 4500' elevation gain in 4.7 miles, this hike is definitely a thigh burner. The trail begins with a steep climb...
    Read more
  • Marblemount, Washington

    Hike to Monogram Lake

    9.8 mi / 4500 ft gain
    On a drizzly day, we set out to patrol Monogram Lake. Sore legs and thousands of feet later, we had the pristine lake all to ourselves with gorgeous fall weather and peek-a-boo views of the North Cascades.From Highway 20 in Marblemount, take Cascade River Road for 7 miles and look for a small par...
    Read more