North Cascades National Park

The boundaries of North Cascades National Park touch two long and sinewy expanses: Lake Chelan in the far south, and Ross Lake, which runs toward the Canadian border. Boat ramps, some with speed- and sailboat, paddleboat, kayak, and canoe rentals, can be found all around Lake Chelan, and passenger ferries cross between towns and campgrounds. Hozomeen, accessible via a 39-mile dirt road from Canada, is the boating base for Ross Lake; the site has a large boat ramp, and a boat taxi makes drops at campgrounds all around the shoreline. Diablo Lake, in the center of the park, also has a ramp at Colonial Creek. Gorge Lake has a public ramp near the town of Diablo.

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  • Bicycling

    Mountain bikes are permitted on highways, unpaved back roads, and a few designated tracks around the park; however, there is no biking on footpaths...

  • Boating

    The boundaries of North Cascades National Park touch two long and sinewy expanses: Lake Chelan in the far south, and Ross Lake, which runs toward...

  • Hiking

    Black bears are often sighted along trails in the summer; do not approach them. Back away carefully, and report sightings to the Golden West...

  • Horseback Riding

    Many hiking trails and backwoods paths are also popular horseback-riding routes, particularly around the park's southern fringes. Tours and...

  • Kayaking

    The park's tangles of waterways offer access to remote areas inaccessible by road or trail; here are some of the most pristine and secluded...

  • Rafting

    June through August is the park's white-water season, and rafting trips run through the lower section of the Stehekin River. Along the way take...

  • Winter Sports

    Mt. Baker, just off the park's far northwest corner, is one of the Northwest's premier skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing regions—the area...