One Of America's Least-Visited National Parks Is A True Washington Beauty

The pristine and pure Pacific Northwest is known for its clean cities and magical national parks. In the state of Washington alone, you'll find three of the arguably most beautiful parks in the United States. Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park often bask in the spotlight. However, the state's third (and largest), North Cascades National Park, is unlike any of the other natural attractions in the state. Not only is it the second least-visited national park in the country, but it remains remote, rugged, and untouched despite being under three hours from Seattle.

North Cascades has the alpine views of Switzerland and the adventures of Alaska. While Mount Rainier has iconic hotels with cozy wilderness vibes, at the heart of North Cascades is actual wilderness. Nearly 94% of the park (over 634,000 acres) is comprised of the Stephen Mather Wilderness area, the green and azure beating heart of nearly 2 million acres of pure nature in northern Washington. To top it off — pun intended — over 300 glaciers are nestled in the beautiful mountains.

For travelers flying in, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is likely the default option. However, check flights to Paine Field in Everett and Bellingham International Airport. Both are closer to the park (just over two hours by car) and have less traffic. To reach North Cascades, you'll traverse State Route 20, equally beautiful and dangerous at the same time. The park is free to visit year-round, though during the long winters (November to April), State Route 20 closes due to snow. Before setting off, make sure you're well equipped, and pack these road trip safety items in case you have an emergency.

According to the National Park Service, 16,485 visitors explored North Cascades National Park in 2024 (the most recent data available at the time of writing), with only one other national park, the Gates of the Arctic National Park, receiving fewer annual visitors. While the park has few guests and little development, it has a deep human history and footprint. Hundreds of years ago, Native Americans, including the Chelan, Chilliwack, Skagit, and Thompson, passed through the mountains to trade and search for food. One of these trails, the Cascade Pass Trail, was used by the Chelan and Skagit tribes and makes for a moderately difficult family hike. As you climb, you'll see the work of glaciers, and a few still perched high in the mountains. You may also see other hikers on the trail (the hike is popular), though keep your eyes out for deer, pika, and bears that inhabit the area.

One key thing to note is that North Cascades, unlike many other national parks, has virtually no services, including cell service, gas, and restaurants apart from the North Cascades Lodge on Lake Chelan. If you're visiting for the day, be sure to fill your tanks (both your car and your belly) on your way, as you won't have many options in the park. If you need last-minute items, you'll find supermarkets in Arlington and Burlington to grab food for your camping trip, though note there is no electricity and limited drinking water at the campgrounds. For a longer backpacking trip, plan to be fully self-sufficient, and don't forget to add bear kits and bear-proof containers for your trash to your packing list, and check the local fire restrictions before heading out.

In this picturesque section of Washington state, you get three destinations in one. The North Cascades National Park complex includes the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan national recreation areas, opening up thousands of acres of fishing, paddling, and outdoor adventures. While driving between them, don't miss stopping at one of Washington's hidden gems, Diablo Lake, where turquoise waters contract with evergreen-covered mountains. You'll find an easy pull-off along State Route 20.

On the edge of North Cascades National Park in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of the area's standout hikes where you'll feel that you've entered the wilds of Alaska. The Maple Pass Loop is a strenuous, 7.2-mile day hike that offers a sampling of some of the natural attractions in the North Cascades: waterfalls, wildflowers, glaciers, and a 2,000-foot climb leading to unreal views of two small glacial lakes, Lake Ann and Rainy Lake. The trail is incredibly popular during the fall months, and expect crowds and challenging parking on the weekends.

If you're looking to spend the night nestled amongst the serene sounds of nature and leave the world — and your car — behind, Ross Lake fits the bill. You'll find 19 boat-in campgrounds on the lakeshore, along with 15 floating cabins at the Ross Lake Resort. To reach the resort, you'll have to walk a mile through the woods or take a water taxi. Travelers planning to stay at the resort will need luck on their side, either through winning the resort's cabin lottery system for bookings or by finding a last-minute room available on the resort's website. If you don't want to chance it, campsites are a sure bet and are reservable on recreation.gov.