Winter Activities

Winter in North Cascades National Park is beautiful. Most years, a heavy blanket of ice and snow covers most of the region. While the park is technically open every day of the year, many areas are unreachable, and many visitor centers and sections of Washington US Route 20 close in hazardous weather. Such heavy snows do create some fun opportunities to see the North Cascades at such a quiet time of year. If access to Stehekin is available, there is fantastic cross-country skiing and snowshoeing around Lake Chelan, and challenging ice climbing routes for experienced climbers. Accommodations with limited services are available from the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin, and winter camping is also possible for experienced backcountry campers. If you're brave enough to set out on a winter trek, be prepared for quickly changing weather and the threat of avalanches. Be sure to read the most up-to-date conditions reports available, and carry extra supplies and emergency gear.