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Overview
North Cascades is a unique mix of protected wilderness and areas open to hunting and even industrial use.
Plan Around Overview
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Overview Details
North Cascades is a unique mix of protected wilderness and areas open to hunting and even industrial use. Located on the northern border of Washington, the park consists of three distinct but contiguous sections, comprising about two million acres total: North Cascades National Park (with north and south units), the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The latter two are open to more liberal use than the national park. Parkland across the border in Canada expands the protected ecosystem to nearly three million acres. Nicknamed "The American Alps," North Cascades includes a large collection of mountains, glaciers, ice fields, alpine lakes, and waterfalls, and attracts mountain climbers as well as backcountry explorers. Ross Lake National Recreation Area is the most visited part of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Ross Lake sits between the north and south units of the national park and includes three reservoirs -- Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, and Gorge Lake -- that power hydroelectric dams on the Skagit River. The waterways provide access to more remote parts of the park and are used for a variety of water-based activities, including boat tours. The North Cascades Highway takes visitors to trailheads and the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center, which also serves Ross Lake. Hiking, camping and bird-watching are among the popular activities in the park; overnight accommodations can be found at Ross Lake Resort, accessible only by trail or boat.
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Region
Learn About the Park
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