3 Days in North Cascades National Park: The Ultimate Itinerary for Hikers
Short answer: You need 2-3 days to experience the best of the North Cascades. One day gives you a scenic drive and a single hike. Three days lets you hit the iconic trails, soak in the turquoise lakes, and actually feel the place—not just pass through it.
This is the exact itinerary I’d give a friend visiting for the first time. Not a list of endless options—just a plan that works.
The Quick Overview
| Day | Focus | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Western North Cascades | Diablo Lake, scenic drive, hike, water time |
| Day 2 | Washington Pass & Alpine Lakes | Maple Pass or Blue Lake, sunset at Goat Peak |
| Day 3 | Cascade Pass | Bucket-list hike, optional Baker Lake swim |
→ For the full breakdown of the region, lodging details, all hikes by difficulty, and planning logistics, see The Complete Guide to the North Cascades.
Base yourself: Mazama or Winthrop (east side) for Days 2-3. Colonial Creek Campground (west side) for Day 1.
Day 1: Diablo Lake & the Western North Cascades
Start your trip on the west side of Highway 20, where old-growth forest meets glacial lakes.
Morning
First stop: North Cascades Visitor Center (Newhalem) Grab a map, check trail conditions, talk to a ranger. The exhibits are worth 20 minutes if you’ve never been.
Then drive Highway 20 east, stopping at:
Diablo Lake Overlook — the postcard shot, that impossible turquoise water
Gorge Creek Falls (quick roadside stop)
Midday Hike
My pick: Thunder Knob
- 3.6 miles round trip, 425 ft gain
- Views over Diablo Lake from above
- Family-friendly, 2 hours max
Want more? Thornton Lakes (10 mi RT, 2,500 ft gain) is a hidden gem—rugged, steep, and uncrowded.
Afternoon
Get on the water. Diablo Lake is stunning from above, but paddling it is something else entirely.
- Rent a kayak or bring your own
- Paddle to Thunder Point or explore the inlets
- Yes, you can swim—but it’s cold
Evening
Camp: Colonial Creek Campground—lakeside sites right on Diablo Lake. Book early on Recreation.gov.
Eat: Pack your own dinner or hit Mondo Restaurant in Marblemount before you lose cell service.
Day 2: Washington Pass & Alpine Lakes
Today you cross into the heart of the North Cascades. This is the day people remember.
Morning: Fuel Up in Mazama
Stop at Mazama Store & Bakery for croissants and coffee. Get there early—the pastries sell out.
Then choose your hike:
The Hike (Pick One)
For first-timers or families: Blue Lake
4.6 miles round trip, 1,050 ft gain
Turquoise alpine lake beneath Liberty Bell
Stunning in any season, golden larches in fall
For the full experience: Maple Pass Loop
- 7.5 miles, 2,150 ft gain
- THE iconic North Cascades hike
- 360° ridgeline views, Lake Ann below, larches everywhere in October
- Start early—this trail gets crowded
For solitude: Cutthroat Pass
- 10 miles round trip, 2,000 ft gain
- Equally beautiful, half the crowds
- PCT access, massive larch meadows in fall
Afternoon
After your hike, drive to Washington Pass Overlook—a 2-minute walk to one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the state. Liberty Bell towers above the highway switchbacks.
Sunset Option
Goat Peak Lookout
- 5 miles round trip, 1,400 ft gain
- Historic fire lookout with 360° views
- Time it for golden hour—the whole Methow Valley glows
I hiked this solo one fall evening and couldn’t make myself leave. Ended up hiking down by headlamp. Worth it.
Evening
Stay:
- Camping: Klipchuck Campground—quiet pine forest, my favorite
- Lodging: Rolling Huts (modern minimalist cabins) or Lost River Resort (rustic, secluded)
Eat: Mazama Public House for burgers, beer, and surprisingly great sushi. Or drive 30 minutes to Winthrop for more options—East 20 Pizza is a family favorite.
Day 3: Cascade Pass
Save the best for last. Cascade Pass is one of the most spectacular day hikes in Washington.
The Hike
Cascade Pass
- 7.4 miles round trip, 1,800 ft gain
- Switchbacks through wildflower meadows
- Views of Forbidden Peak, Johannesburg, and the Cascade glaciers
- Historic route used for thousands of years
Go further: Sahale Arm
- 12 miles round trip, 4,000 ft gain
- Continue above Cascade Pass into alpine meadows and rocky ridges
- Some of the best views in the state
- Challenging but life-changing
Pro tip: The Cascade River Road to the trailhead is rough—take it slow. Arrive early; the parking lot fills by 9am in summer.
Alternative: Hidden Lake Lookout
- 8 miles round trip, 3,300 ft gain
- Historic fire lookout perched above a turquoise alpine lake
- Steep and rocky—harder than Cascade Pass but equally rewarding
- Cascade River Road to trailhead is rough (high clearance recommended)
Afternoon Options
Option A: Baker Lake On your way back toward Seattle, detour to Baker Lake for a swim. Anderson Point (2-mile hike) has a great beach, or hit one of the drive-up spots along Baker Lake Road.
Option B: Stehekin Extension If you have an extra day, take the ferry from Chelan to Stehekin—a remote valley accessible only by boat, plane, or foot. Stay at North Cascades Lodge, hike Rainbow Falls, and don’t skip Stehekin Pastry Company.
→ Stehekin Guide coming soon
Quick Reference: Where to Stay & Eat
I’ve kept this brief—for the full breakdown of every lodging and dining option, see The Complete Guide.
Camping
| Campground | Location | Why Stay Here |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial Creek | Diablo Lake | Lakeside sites, kayak access |
| Klipchuck | Near Mazama | Quiet forest, close to Maple Pass |
| Newhalem Creek | West side | Family-friendly, near visitor center |
Book at Recreation.gov—these fill up in summer.
Lodging Highlights
- Rolling Huts (Mazama) — Modern, minimalist, mountain views
- Lost River Resort (Mazama) — Secluded cabins, full kitchens
- Sun Mountain Lodge (Winthrop) — Splurge option with spa and views
Food Highlights
- Mazama Store & Bakery — Croissants, coffee, trail sandwiches
- Mazama Public House — Burgers, beer, great vibe
- East 20 Pizza (Winthrop) — Wood-fired, family-friendly
Best Time to Go
July–September: Best weather, all trails accessible, long days. Busiest time but still less crowded than Rainier.
Late September–October: Larch season. Golden trees everywhere, smaller crowds, unpredictable weather. Check road conditions—Highway 20 can close with early snow.
→ For a larch-specific itinerary, see North Cascades Fall Larch Itinerary.
November–May: Highway 20 is closed. You can still access the Methow Valley (Mazama/Winthrop) from the east or take the ferry to Stehekin.
What to Bring
The essentials—you probably know this, but just in case:
- Sturdy hiking boots (trails are rocky)
- Layers (it’s colder at the passes than you expect)
- Rain jacket (weather changes fast)
- 2-3 liters of water (limited sources on most trails)
- Headlamp (even for day hikes)
- Sun protection (exposed alpine terrain)
- Snacks—more than you think
→ Full gear list in The Complete Guide.
FAQs
How many days do you need for North Cascades? 2-3 days to hit the highlights. One day is enough for a scenic drive and a single hike. A week lets you explore Stehekin and the backcountry.
Can you do North Cascades in one day? Yes, but you’ll only scratch the surface. Drive Highway 20, stop at Diablo Lake Overlook, hike Rainy Lake or Blue Lake, and call it a day.
Is there an entrance fee? No. North Cascades is one of the few national parks with no entrance fee. Most trailheads require a Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day or $30/year).
Can you swim in Diablo Lake? Yes—but it’s glacier-fed and cold. Colonial Creek has easy lake access.
What’s the difference between North Cascades National Park and the North Cascades? The national park is mostly wilderness with no roads. What most people experience—Highway 20, Diablo Lake, Maple Pass—is technically Ross Lake NRA or national forest land. Nobody cares about the boundary lines when they’re standing on a ridgeline.
→ More details in The Complete Guide.
Keep Exploring
- The Complete Guide to the North Cascades — Everything in one place
- North Cascades Fall Larch Itinerary — Golden larches in October
- Blue Lake Trail Guide — Detailed hike breakdown
- Colonial Creek Campground Guide — Lakeside camping
