North Cascades National Park

Last updated: October 30, 2023

The North Cascades are actually a National Park Complex which means it consists of other National Park units in addition to the National Park. In this case, there are two National Recreational Areas (NRA); Ross Lake NRA and Lake Chelan NRA. I wish I had known this information prior to going because I would have paid more attention to these areas. Hopefully his helps you if you plan to visit. So, North Cascades National Park Complex is comprised of the following:

• North Cascades National Park – obviously
• Ross Lake NRA contains three reservoir: Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, and Gorge Lake
• Lake Chelan NRA contains the northern end of Lake Chelan, surrounding area of the Stehekin Valley and the Stehekin River.

So what else is interesting about the North Cascades? Well, I’m so glad you asked!

• Established October 2, 1968
• Almost 40,000 visitors per year
• There are over 300 glaciers in the North Cascades Park Complex, more than any other park in the lower 48 states.

Of course, I followed my normal plan and for a photo with the sign that was on the way to the visitor center. At the Visitor Center, I got a park map, general information, and of course, my passport cancellation.

The best use of one day is short hikes and North Cascades Highway (State Route 20). This highway offers amazing views of the highway, but of course my favorite thing I found was this waterfall that was accessible off a random pull off. At first I thought I could only take photos from across the road but then found a way to get down to the base of a the waterfall.

You’ll find all kinds of pull offs for gorgeous scenery along North Cascades Highway. The best advice I can give is if there’s a pull off, just use it and get out and explore. The pull off is there for a reason.

Buddy and I explored two short hikes; the George Overlook Trail and Pyramid Lake. Both were pleasant with nice views and short enough for a day that was well over 100 degrees (rare for Washington State).

If you want to swim in Lake Diablo, I’d recommend getting there early unless you want to park pretty far away and walk. With it being so hot on the day in visited and it being a Saturday, there was no room to park anywhere remotely even close to the entry of the lake.

Note: if you’re coming in from Kent, there was no way to go though the park and then hop on the interstate to head back. Once you’ve driven the whole highway and exit the park, you have to turn around and go all the way back the way you came, which is fine because it means you get to see it all twice and from a different perspective. I may not have driven as far as I did if I would have realized this but it was a great day and I’m glad I did it.

Lastly, a video of my favorite find of the day.

What are your thoughts? I would love to know!