North Cascades National Park Complex - Day Hiking (U.S. National Park Service)

What sort of hike do you want to take today? Fancy a peaceful stroll down to the river, looking for birds and wildlife, or a glimpse of migrating salmon? Or are you in the mood to push your limits, climb to the heights and watch the world unfold below you? Short or long, low elevation or high, there are hundreds of miles of trails awaiting your discovery throughout the season.

Trip Planning

The key to a successful trip is to plan ahead and be prepared. Check out the Wilderness Trip Planner to find out all you need to know about park regulations, backcountry permits, party size limits, hiking with pets, current road and trail conditions, and more.

The trail guide below is organized by area. Or, if you already know the name of the trail you are interested in, check the alphabetical listing of all the trails in the park complex.

North Cascades Scenic Highway (State Route 20)

Trails are listed from west to east along the highway

Thornton Lake
Newhalem area trails (Sterling Munro, Linking Trail, River Loop, “To Know a Tree” Nature Trail, Rock Shelter, “Trail of the Cedars” Nature Walk, Ladder Creek Falls)
Newhalem Creek
Gorge Overlook
Stetattle Creek
Sourdough / Pierce Mountain
Pyramid Lake
Diablo Lake
Thunder Creek
Thunder Knob
Thunder Woods Nature Trail
Fourth of July
Ross Dam
Happy Panther
Happy Creek Boardwalk and Falls
East Bank
Panther Creek
Easy Pass / Fisher Creek
Bridge Creek (Pacific Crest Trail)

There are numerous other trails off State Route 20 to the east of the park, originating in the Okanogan National Forest.

Cascade River Road

Baker Lake Road

Baker River Trail

There are numerous other day hikes accessible from this area, all within the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest.

Mount Baker Highway (Highway 542)

Hannegan Pass Trail

There are numerous other day hikes located off this road, many with stunning views into the national park. These trails are located in the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest.

Stehekin

For information on the Stehekin area, including access, Stehekin Valley shuttle bus schedules, and more, please visit the Stehekin page.

Agnes Creek (Pacific Crest Trail)
Agnes Gorge
Buckner Orchard Walk
Bullion Loop
Company Creek
Coon Lake
Devore Creek
Flat Creek
Goode Ridge
Imus Creek Loop
Lakeshore
McGregor Mountain
Old Wagon (Pacific Crest Trail)
Purple Creek / Juanita Lake
Rainbow Creek
Rainbow Loop
Rainbow Mist and Falls
Stehekin River

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