Most visitors arrive at North Cascades National Park by car. Public transportation options to and from the park are extremely limited but bicycling is a popular and green alternative to driving.
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
ROSS LAKE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Primary access to North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is from the State Route 20 (SR 20) corridor.
From the west, State Route 20 connects to Interstate 5 (Exit 230) at Burlington. From the east, the highway intersects with U.S. Route 97 at Okanogan and with State Route 153 at Twisp. Due to avalanche danger, the Washington State Department of Transportation typically closes the roadway between Ross Dam Trailhead and Lone Fir Campground from November to April.
Hozomeen
The Silver-Skagit Road to Hozomeen provides the only road access to the Ross Lake shoreline. This 37 mile (60 km) gravel road connects with B.C. Highway 1 (Exit 168) near Hope, British Columbia.
Northern Pickets
Hiker and climber access to the northern Picket Range and Mount Shukshan is available from State Route 542 (SR 542) east of Bellingham and the Baker Lake Road northwest of Concrete.
LAKE CHELAN NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
There is no car access to Stehekin and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Passenger ferry and plane access is available from Chelan on U.S. Route 97. Passenger shuttle service is provided in the Stehekin Valley.
Hiker access to Stehekin begins at the Cascade Pass trailhead on the gravel Cascade River Road, the southbound Pacific Crest Trail from State Route 20 near the Rainy Pass picnic area, and from Eagle Creek, War Creek, South Creek and Gilbert trailheads on the Twisp River Road. Some of these trails are suitable for stock. For more information, please refer to our Trail Guide.