North Cascades National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

North Cascades National Park is renowned for its varied and rugged climbing terrain. The numerous peaks and over 300 glaciers present classic mixed mountaineering routes, intricate glacier travel, and technical rock climbing as well as scrambling—all within a premier wilderness setting.
A popular backpacking trail is the 40.4-mile Devil’s Dome Loop, which circumnavigates Jack Mountain. The trail is known for its wonderful wildflowers and much of it is high ridge walking above tree line.
Another popular backpacking trail is the 33.5-mile Copper Ridge-Chilliwack River Loop. This strenuous route features a rare ridge walk with expansive mountain views and one of the finest old growth forest hikes in the park.
Intrepid hikers, backpackers, and climbers visit all year, but April through October is peak season. The driest and most popular time to visit is during the summer—mid-June through September. Higher elevation trails often remain snow-covered well into July and sometimes August.
North Cascades Institute offers hands-on programs including youth adventures, family getaways, adult seminars, retreats, graduate studies, and volunteer stewardship opportunities.

North Cascades National Park Overview

Desolation Peak, Mount Fury, Jagged Ridge, Mount Terror—the names on the map strongly hint at the character of the North Cascades National Park Complex. This is the largest and most rugged alpine wilderness in the contiguous United States, with scores of 8,000-foot peaks, upwards of 400 glaciers, virgin Douglas fir and Western red cedar forests, and wildlife that includes gray wolves and grizzlies. Read More

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North Cascades National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide