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Day Hiking in North Cascades - North Cascades National Park

Two hikers walk along a trail with mountains in the distance.
Hiking

Day Hiking in North Cascades

North Cascades National Park
Spring · Summer · Fall
Pets: Yes
Fees: No

Visitor Dashboard

Current park status

11 active alerts
Park Closure

Cascade River Road Closure Starting October 13

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Cascade River Road is closed to vehicles at milepost 20 (Eldorado) three miles before the trailhead beginning October 13 for road maintenance. Foot and bicycle traffic is permitted beyond the gate. Do not block gate.
Park Closure

Campfire Ban in Portions of the Park Complex

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Fire restrictions remain in effect for Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and the area of North Cascades National Park located in Chelan County. This includes all National Park Service lands south and east of Cascade Pass, Park Creek Pass, and Rainy Pass as well as the entire Stehekin Valley.
Park Closure

Marblemount Bridge September Nighttime Closure

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Skagit River Marblemount Bridge will be closed overnight for repairs September 14-18, Monday night-Friday morning, 8 pm-4 am. There is no access to Cascade River Road during the nighttime closure.
Caution

Level 1 Fire Advisory for areas in Stehekin

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Chelan County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 1 Fire Advisory (Get Ready) for areas in Stehekin, Stehekin Valley Road from Harlequin Bridge to High Bridge, including Company Creek Road and side roads. Visitors should be aware there is a wildfire in the area. There are park closures in effect. For park closures visit the Fire Closures page. Stehekin businesses are open and continue to welcome visitors outside of the closure areas.
Danger

Smoke from Wildfires May Affect Air Quality

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Smoke from wildfires is to be expected with active fires across the region.Take precautions when recreating outdoors when heavy smoke is present.
Information

Stehekin is Open, Services Limited at Stehekin Landing

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Visitor and recreational opportunities continue to be available in the Stehekin Valley. Some services are limited at the Stehekin Landing following flood damage in December 2025.
Caution

Stehekin Flash Flood and Debris Flow Area

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The Stehekin area is prone to flooding, which increases in a post-fire environment. Know before you go – visit the Post Fire Safety page for information on what to do in a flash flood and debris flow area
Park Closure

Hozomeen Gate Remains Closed

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Until further notice, the gate at Hozomeen will remain closed; vehicle and foot traffic across the US/Canada border is prohibited. Visitors must enter through a designated port of entry.
Park Closure

Fire Closures - Trail, Area, and Camp Closures

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For closures due to fire activity visit the Fire Closures page, including trail, area, and camp closures for current and post fire conditions.
Caution

Diablo Lake Boat Launch Inaccessible to Powerboats

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Due to silt accumulation, the Diablo Lake boat launch at Colonial Creek South Campground is not usable for launching most powerboats. Expect shallow or no water at the launch ramp and the possibility of needing to carry your boat to or from the water.
Caution

Be Aware of Break-ins along State Route 20

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Prevent smashed windows and theft. Break-ins are not uncommon at trailheads along State Route 20. Remove your valuables and electronics and take associated electronic cords.

About this activity

Hike the North Cascades to experience some of the finest mountain country in North America.

North Cascades National Park Service Complex preserves some of the finest mountain country in North America. From accessible and short, scenic strolls to steep mountain hikes, there is a trail here for everyone. Enjoy the solitude, peace, and challenge that hiking in this beautiful park offers. 

The most common hiking season stretches from April through October. The driest and most popular time to visit is during the summer months of mid-June through September. Higher elevation trails often remain snow-covered well into July and sometimes August. Precipitation and snowfall are greatest from November through March. 

The key to a successful trip is to plan ahead and be prepared. Check out the park complex's trail guides and other trip planning tools. 

Activity details

Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Pets
Yes
Fees
No
Accessibility

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Access requirement information

Not available

No additional access requirement details are available from the provider.

Official website

Official access information supplied by the provider for this activity. Requirements and availability may change, so always verify the latest details on the official website.
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Weather forecast

Check the weather forecast before planning this activity.
This Afternoon
37°F3°C
Partly Sunny
W 6 mph10 km/h Rain: 4%
Tonight
33°F1°C
Cloudy then Chance Light Rain
WSW 9 mph14 km/h Rain: 30%
Wednesday
40°F4°C
Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy
W 5 mph7 km/h Rain: 25%
Wednesday Night
34°F1°C
Partly Cloudy
ENE 8 mph13 km/h
Thursday
47°F8°C
Mostly Sunny
E 9 mph14 km/h
Thursday Night
37°F3°C
Mostly Clear
S 12 mph19 km/h
Forecast data provided by the National Weather Service.
Last updated: Oct 13, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Official forecast
Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.

More weather details

This Afternoon
37°F3°C
Partly Sunny

Partly sunny, with a high near 37. West wind around 6 mph.

W 6 mph10 km/h Rain: 4%
Tonight
33°F1°C
Cloudy then Chance Light Rain

A chance of rain after 1am. Cloudy. Low around 33, with temperatures rising to around 36 overnight. West southwest wind 6 to 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

WSW 9 mph14 km/h Rain: 30%
Wednesday
40°F4°C
Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy

A chance of rain before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

W 5 mph7 km/h Rain: 25%
Wednesday Night
34°F1°C
Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Wind chill values as low as 25. East northeast wind 2 to 14 mph.

ENE 8 mph13 km/h
Thursday
47°F8°C
Mostly Sunny

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. East wind 3 to 14 mph.

E 9 mph14 km/h
Thursday Night
37°F3°C
Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 37.

S 12 mph19 km/h
Friday
50°F10°C
Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 50.

SW 12 mph19 km/h Rain: 1%
Friday Night
33°F1°C
Rain

Rain after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

WSW 13 mph20 km/h Rain: 79%
Saturday
38°F3°C
Rain And Snow

Rain before 8am, then rain and snow between 8am and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

W 14 mph22 km/h Rain: 79%
Saturday Night
27°F-3°C
Mostly Cloudy

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

WNW 5 mph8 km/h Rain: 9%
Sunday
35°F2°C
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Snow

A slight chance of snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 35.

WNW 4 mph6 km/h Rain: 15%
Sunday Night
29°F-2°C
Snow Likely

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

WSW 6 mph10 km/h Rain: 66%
Monday
30°F-1°C
Snow Likely

Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

SW 6 mph10 km/h Rain: 66%
Monday Night
28°F-2°C
Chance Light Snow

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

WSW 6 mph10 km/h Rain: 51%

Disclaimer

Check the weather forecast before planning this activity.

Weather, wind, precipitation and temperature can vary by location and time. Prepare appropriate clothing and equipment and check official alerts and park guidance.

Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.

Location and map

View this park in your preferred navigation app for directions and nearby places.

More Things To Do at North Cascades National Park

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Information & Disclaimer

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