Did you know the North Cascades are one of the least visited parks in the country? This remote destination is often covered in snow, but in the summer it becomes a playground for wildlife and adventure lovers. I’ve got you covered on where to stay in the North Cascades so you can spend less time figuring out logistics and more time enjoying the park.
Before my first visit to the North Cascades I was really confused about lodging and where to explore. But, now that I’ve been there a few times, I finally know the best places to stay and what to expect.
I’ve written this guide so that you can find the perfect place to stay for you. Below you’ll find details on campgrounds, lodging in the park, and best places to stay outside of its boundaries.
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Guide on Lodging in the North Cascades
Where to Stay in the North Cascades At a Glance
🏕️ Best Campground: Newhalem Creek Campgound
🛌 Lodge To Stay in the Park: Ross Lake Resort
🏨 Family Friendly Hotel Outside the Park: Sun Mountain Lodge
Understanding the North Cascades Geography
Honestly, the North Cascades map can get really confusing, as a lot of it connects to other wilderness areas and National Parks.
The main corridor for exploring the park is Highway 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway. Almost Everything is Accessed from this road.
Most visitors base themselves near Newhalem or Marblemount, two access points on the West side of the park. While Mazama and Winthrop are two towns just to the East of the park.
One part that gets confusing is that the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lies adjacent to the park on the South side. So, some trails may start in then park, but then continue into the National Forest.
Hopefully, the map above can provide even more clarity.
Campgrounds in the North Cascades
Honestly, the best way to see the North Cascades is to camp within the park. There are a number of different established campgrounds in the park that allow tents and RVs.
If you are even more adventurous, you can try to book a boat in campsite or plan a backpacking trip to one of the various backcountry campsites.
Here’s everything you need to know about camping in the North Cascades before you get your permits:
- Camprounds open for the season on the Monday before Memorial Day Weekend.
- The season typically lasts between mid-May and mid-September where you can book reservations in advance on recreation.gov. I recommend booking them early for summer!
- Goodell Creek and Colonial Creek South are open year round, but have no services during the off season and are first-come, first-served. Plus, you may need to deal with winter conditions.
- Camping has a 14 day limit during the season and a 30 day limit in the off-season.
- Each campsite holds 8 people, three tents, and two vehicles.
Newhalem Creek Campground
Newhalem Creek Campground is closest to the town of Newhalem on the West side. Although it’s nice and secluded, the visitor center is just a short walk away. It’s great for access to hikes like Trail of the Cedars or Ladder Creek Falls.
Gorge Lake Campground
Located on the banks of Gorge Lake, this beautiful campground is central to the park. There are no services there. It’s just a 5 minute drive from Diablo Lake, which is one of the most famous parts of the area!
Goodell Creek Campground
This campground is just across the shores of the Skagit River from Newhalem Creek Campground. There’s a great raft launch from this site. The Lower Goodell Creek site has vault toilets as well.
Colonial Creek Campground
Colonial Creek Campground is a wonderful spot located right off of Diablo lake in an old growth forest. It’s the perfect place to stay for a few nights while doing great hikes in the area.
Lone Fir Campground
Although this is technically outside of the park’s boundaries, it’s a fantastic spot to stay. It’s off State Route 20 and it has first-come, first-served spots. I stayed here on my first visit and loved the location. It’s closer to Washington Pass than the main part of the park, so it’s great if you’re planning on doing hikes over there!
Lodging in and around the North Cascades
Ross Lake Resort is the only lodge within the central area of the North Cascades. This resort has 15 floating cabins situated on the lake in the most picturesque setting.
From there, you can take a boat out on the marina, hike on the trails nearby, or visit for the day.
Because Ross Lake Resort is the only lodge in the North Cascades and incredibly popular, they run an annual accommodation lottery. It opens January 1st, and they begin contacting people around May, so sign up early if you want a chance! it’s so beautiful, they have a lottery system that you have to join.
Winthrop: For Family Friendly Stays
Winthrop is an adorable Western style town that is worth visiting even if you don’t stay there! This town has Western style shops, great restaurants, as well as lodging options from campgrounds to hotels.
It’s the largest town near the Cascades at just 40 minutes from the park, so it’s a great place to stay if you don’t mind the drive in and out.
I recommend staying at Sun Mountain Lodge, which is a great family friendly hotel with spa amenities and activities within the town of Winthrop!
Here are a few great Winthrop lodging options:
- Sun Mountain Lodge– This is one of the best lodges in the area. It has two restaurants, a spa, and plenty of activities for the whole family!
- River Run Inn– A small inn within town that offers bicycles to ride around, outdoor fireplace and barbecue.
- Mt Gardner Inn– Each lodge room has its own kitchenette with a balcony and views over the area. It’s a lovely place to stay with the family.
- North Cascades Mountain Hostel– If you’re looking for somewhere more affordable and communal, then look no further! Travelers love staying at this hostel.
Mazama: Backpackers and Cozy Lodging
Because of its location on the Pacific Crest Trail, Mazama is a popular spot for Thru Hikers and backpackers. The town itself is very small, but it has hostels for backpackers, the iconic Mazama General Store (you must stop here for a fresh baguette), and a fantastic brewery with great food!
As long as you don’t mind staying somewhere quiet, this is truly the closest you can be to the park.
Although many of the hostel rooms get booked by PCT hikers, there are tons of great VRBOs to stay at in the area!
Final Tips for Choosing Accommodations in the North Cascades
Visiting the North Cascades can be a little tricky since it’s so remote. But, I highly recommend booking a campground if you want to be centrally located to the best sights and trails in the park!
I recommend staying within the park at a campground or Ross Lake Resort if you want to be close to the hikes and sights. However, if you want more restaurants and amenities, then you should base yourself on the East side in a town like Winthrop!
I hope you have a wonderful time exploring the park.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!
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