Whether you are looking to take a North Cascades weekend trip from Seattle or all the way across the country, a two-day stay is not always enough time to experience all that Washington’s wildlife has to offer. Spending a few extra days among the park’s expansive mountains and over three hundred glaciers affords you time to explore, play and relax during your visit.
Having a North Cascades National Park itinerary can help you and your accompanying campers get the most out of your extended stay. Explore a few ideas for how to spend three, four or five days in one of America’s most stunning national park destinations.
North Cascades 3-Day Itinerary
Ready to spend a long weekend in North Cascades National Park? This itinerary will help you maximize your trip while still fitting in time to unwind and de-stress.
Day 1: Arrival and Setup
You will begin day one by arriving at your campground. Check-in, if needed, and begin the process of unpacking and setting up camp.
Once you prepare your tent, recreational vehicle or cabin, it is time to explore everything the campground has to offer. Take a walk around the and check out the amenities, recreational activities and local walking trails.
A long walk is one of the best ways to stretch and decompress from your drive to camp. Consider traveling to a local hiking trail, such as Happy Creek Forest Walk at Milepost 134 or Thunder Creek Trail at Milepost 130. Both options are relatively easy to complete and are not overly strenuous. If you would like to push the limits a little more, Ross Dam Trail at Milepost 134 offers a moderate trail that is perfect for a longer afternoon hike. You can use a North Cascades National Park hiking guide to determine which route is right for you and your fellow campers.
After your hike, head back to the campsite for dinner and an evening of bird-watching, relaxing by a fire, playing yard games or telling stories — the perfect way to end the first day.
Day 2: Adventure Day
After a low-key hike and relaxing night at the campsite, it is time to get out and have fun engaging in the many exciting activities in North Cascades National Park. Let the adventures begin!
The season will dictate which attractions and activities are available. In the summertime, you can hit the Skagit or Stehekin rivers for whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking. You can also fish, bird-watch or embark on a more challenging hike that puts your skills to the test, like the Monogram Lake or Hidden Lake trails that take most of the day to complete.
The National Park Service updates the North Cascades Wilderness Trip Planner map that you can use to learn more about the different trails and see if there are any active alerts to be aware of before heading out.
After an exciting day, head back to the campsite for dinner and to soak up the evening among the mountains.
Day 3: Relaxation and Departure
Plans for the last day will depend on whether your campsite requires checkout at a specified time. You typically have to leave the site by around 11 a.m. or 12 p.m., giving you enough time to have a final breakfast with your fellow travelers.
After enjoying your meal, consider exploring the campground for a final time. You can walk on the nearby hiking trails, utilize the amenities and check out other campsites. Come back to your site and start packing up. Clean everything to ensure you leave the site just as you found it.
After checkout, you can spend your last day stopping by small attractions along and off Highway 20, like a farmers market or mountain shop, before continuing on your path home.
North Cascades 4-Day Itinerary
Three nights and four days of camping in North Cascades National Park gives travelers plenty of time to tackle different activities and go sightseeing. Check out the sample itinerary below.
Day 1: Arrival and Setup
Arrive at your campground around the time of check-in. Spend the morning and mid-day setting up and unpacking. Explore your surroundings and check out what amenities or special activities are available.
If you had a long drive to North Cascades, going for a nature walk by your campsite is a great way to stretch and decompress from the journey. You can also drive to the Newhalem Area Trails, where you will find a few options:
- Sterling Munro Boardwalk: A 330-foot trail with a breathtaking view of the Picket Mountains.
- River Loop Trail: A 1.8-mile loop that features gorgeous water views.
- Rock Shelter Trail: A wheelchair-accessible path that is about 1,000 feet long and easy to navigate.
You can check out a North Cascades National Park guide beforehand to determine your route. After your outing, come back to the campsite in the late afternoon or early evening. Eat dinner before enjoying some relaxing activities, like stargazing, sharing stories about the day or playing yard games.
Day 2: Hiking and Exploration
The day begins with breakfast at your campsite. After a relaxed first day, the second day is perfect for going adventuring.
A full-day trek along Thornton Lake Trail is an excellent choice if you are an avid hiker. Follow the 5.2-mile path to Thornton Lake and enjoy a little exploration off-trail as well. This hike can be strenuous, so do not be afraid to take your time and soak in the gorgeous water, mountain and summit views along the way. The entire walk is 9.7 miles roundtrip and features an elevation gain of 3,789 feet.
Since Thornton Lake Trail is one of the more challenging routes for hikers, plan on a chilled evening afterward. Eat dinner at the campsite and spend the rest of the night planning for your road trip tomorrow. There may be specific vistas or stops that you and your fellow travelers want to ensure you hit along the way.
Enjoy a chilled evening before getting a good night’s rest.
Day 3: Road Trip Journey
The third day of your stay is the perfect time for a North Cascades highway road trip. The Cascade Loop is known as “Washington’s Ultimate Road Trip,” and it features tons of exciting opportunities to explore. The entire loop is 440 miles long, but you can stick to the sections that span across the park for most of your journey.
The North Cascades Loop includes awesome views of the crystal blue water in Ross Lake and Diablo Lake, as well as the Skagit River. Here are some of the other Highway 20 North Cascades activities to take advantage of on your drive:
- Restaurants
- Breweries
- Wineries
- Guided tours
- The Environmental Learning Center
- Farmers markets
- Coffee shops
Consider stopping in or driving through historic Concrete, Washington. You will find a quaint town with friendly businesses and unique destinations like the Henry Thompson Bridge and the Lower Baker Dam Visitor Center. Grab a bite to eat on your road trip adventure and head back to your campsite for a night of playing and enjoying your final evening in North Cascades.
Day 4: Relaxation and Departure
On the last morning of your trip, you will have breakfast at your campsite. This can be an awesome time to reflect on your visit to North Cascades National Park and determine if there are any last-minute spots you would like to see before heading home.
How you spend your final day will depend on whether there is a specific time for checkout from the campground. Before departure, you may want to walk a trail nearby or take advantage of the amenities one last time.
You will clean and pack up your campsite before hitting the road. You can stop at a local produce stand or coffee shop along Highway 20 for lunch before finishing your journey back home.
North Cascades 5-Day Itinerary
If you are interested in a slightly longer stay among the beautiful scenery of North Cascades National Park, check out this five-day itinerary below.
Day 1: Arrival and Setup
Begin the day by driving to your North Cascades campsite and checking in upon arrival. Spend the morning setting up camp and preparing for the adventures ahead. Make sure you and your fellow travelers fuel up with a bite to eat before heading back out for a long nature walk.
The Thunder Knob Trail is the perfect path to begin your trip. It is an easy walking trail, making it suitable for kids and inexperienced hikers. An access point is located at Milepost 130 along State Route 20. The complete 3.6-mile round trip is perfect for stretching your legs after a long drive. Plus, you will catch amazing views of Diablo Lake.
After the hike, head back to your campsite for a restful evening. You can check out the amenities nearby, play games or make s’mores by a fire. A low-key night will help you stay well-rested to take on all the excitement of day two.
Day 2: Water Activities
Kickstart your second day with breakfast at your campsite. Enjoy a slow morning before hopping in your car or RV and heading to a nearby lake for a day spent on or beside the water.
Diablo Lake and Gorge Lake along State Route 20 offer incredible natural views. If you are interested in renting a motorboat, kayak or canoe, you will likely want to visit Ross Lake National Recreational Area. You can spend the day fishing for trout or navigating the waters. Photographers will have a field day capturing the intense beauty of the crystal blue waters and alpine landscape.
Campers looking to get their adrenaline pumping can go whitewater rafting on the Skagit or Stehekin rivers. You can explore the National Park Service’s guide to North Cascades National Park commercial activities online to plan your water tour or excursion. Always check the weather forecast beforehand to ensure it is warm enough to hit the lake.
After an afternoon on the water, head back to the campsite for an evening of dinner, games, storytelling or listening to the sounds of nature before turning in for the night.
Day 3: Hiking and Wildlife Viewing
Wake up and spend your morning enjoying your campsite. Grab breakfast and decide on a hiking destination for the day. You can explore North Cascades Mountain guides to find different trail options with varying distances and levels of difficulty.
Dedicate your third day to sightseeing. You and your accompanying campers can complete a half or whole-day hike.
For half-day hikes, you can challenge yourself on the 3.5-mile trek to Easy Pass, where you get panoramic views of the mountains. You can also explore the exciting challenges of the 3-mile Stetattle Creek Trail.
If you are interested in spending day three with a longer hike, you can walk on the Fourth of July Pass or explore the Cascade Pass Trail. The latter is one of the most popular options for visitors because of its breathtaking glacier views. Be sure to pack plenty of snacks and water.
At the conclusion of your hike, drive back to your campsite for another restful evening, making use of the amenities and having a moment with Mother Nature.
Day 4: Campsite Amenities
After the adventures of days two and three, you might be ready for slower-paced activities. This is a great time to take advantage of your campsite and the amenities it offers.
Every site is different. Some may have special features like a swimming pool or dog park. Others will have games and playgrounds for kids. Your camping crew can spend the majority of the day hanging out on-site, walking the local nature trails, bird-watching or fishing.
Hop in your vehicle and drive to Ladder Creek Falls at dusk. You can access the trail along State Route 20 by Milepost 120. Park across from the Gorge Powerhouse and follow the suspension bridge across the river to Ladder Creek Garden, where you will get an up-close look at this special waterfall. At night, colored lights illuminate the water and create a spectacular show.
Head back to your campsite. Spend your final night relaxing or cozied up by a fire.
Day 5: Relaxation and Departure
The fifth morning of your trip is the perfect time to have breakfast at your campsite and spend the morning reminiscing on your adventures. If you are interested in returning to North Cascades National Park, it can be helpful to make a list of the sights and activities you did not get to accomplish or want to do again in the future while they are fresh in your mind.
Take a few moments to relax and enjoy being in nature for the next few hours. Squeeze in a short walk along the nearby trails, go bird-watching or use the amenities one last time before packing and tidying up your site. Check out if required, and begin your journey back home.
You did it! You made the most of your 5-day stay and got to immerse yourself in the beauty of North Cascades National Park.
Book Your National Park Stay With Kampgrounds of America
Planning a trip to North Cascades National Park? Stay at one of the conveniently located KOA Campgrounds in Washington State. You can find Winthrop / N. Cascades National Park KOA Holiday and Concrete / Grandy Creek KOA Holiday conveniently situated along Highway 20.
Both sites have a wide range of amenities, making them the perfect destination for spending a few days away with your family, friends or partner. At a KOA Campground, you can relax, play and enjoy all that the North Cascades has to offer.
Are you ready to kickstart your camping adventure? Find a KOA Campground and book your stay today!
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
