Discover North Cascades National Park
Imagine a wilderness of jagged mountain peaks, brilliant turquoise lakes, ancient glaciers, and forests stretching toward the horizon.
Welcome to North Cascades National Park, one of Washington State's most spectacular natural treasures.
Established in 1968, the park forms part of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex, alongside Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas.
Often called the American Alps, this remarkable landscape offers extraordinary scenery and opportunities for adventure without the crowds associated with some of America's better-known national parks.
Diablo Lake: An Alpine Jewel
Few sights capture the magic of the North Cascades quite like Diablo Lake.
Famous for its almost impossibly turquoise water, this spectacular reservoir is surrounded by steep forested mountains and rugged peaks.
The lake's distinctive color comes from fine rock particles, known as glacial flour, carried into the water by streams flowing from melting glaciers.
Diablo Lake Overlook, along the North Cascades Highway, offers a breathtaking panorama and one of the region's most memorable photographic opportunities.
Cascade Pass: A Journey Into the Mountains
For hikers seeking an unforgettable mountain adventure, Cascade Pass is a spectacular destination.
The trail climbs through beautiful forests before opening onto alpine meadows surrounded by dramatic peaks and glaciers.
From the pass, visitors can admire magnificent mountain scenery and experience the extraordinary scale of the North Cascades wilderness.
The trail is generally accessible during the warmer months, depending on snow and road conditions.
North Cascades Highway: A Road Trip Worth Remembering
Sometimes the journey itself becomes the adventure.
The North Cascades Highway, also known as State Route 20, winds through spectacular mountain landscapes, past waterfalls, forests, and beautiful alpine viewpoints.
Highlights include Gorge Creek Falls, Diablo Lake Overlook, and views across Ross Lake.
Seasonal snow closes portions of the highway during winter, making this scenic drive particularly popular from late spring through autumn.
Stehekin: A Village Beyond the Roads
At the northern end of Lake Chelan lies Stehekin, a remote mountain community accessible by boat, seaplane, or hiking trail rather than a connecting road.
Surrounded by wilderness, Stehekin offers beautiful scenery, peaceful trails, and a slower pace of life.
It's a fascinating reminder that some of the world's most wonderful places require a little extra effort to reach.
Keep Your North Cascades Memories Close
Whether your favorite memory is a spectacular mountain photograph, a peaceful lakeside afternoon, or an unforgettable hiking adventure, the North Cascades offer experiences worth remembering.
A GTK QR Tile connects a physical keepsake to your existing online photographs, travel stories, and favorite experiences, or brings them together on your complimentary GTK QR Page.
A little keepsake for memories as magnificent as the mountains.
Get To Know People & What They Know About North Cascades National Park
GTK® is an independent editorial initiative celebrating individuality, expression, connection, and the things people know.
From mountaineers and glaciologists to photographers, conservationists, and people whose lives are connected to Washington's mountain wilderness, the North Cascades inspire fascinating knowledge and human experiences.
We believe their stories and perspectives deserve to be discovered, shared, and remembered.
Visit GTK.us to discover more about people and what they know.
