A Commercial (or Special) Use Authorization (CUA or SUP) is required to operate within North Cascades National Park Service Complex, for day or overnight use, for all commercial groups (both for-profit and non-profit) who provide services within the park. Backcountry Permits are required for all overnight trips in the backcountry and must be obtained at a ranger station by the trip leader prior to entering the backcountry. CUA/SUP permitees may apply for an optional Backcountry Permit Reservation subject to the terms listed below.
Reservation Timeline
- February 1 – May 31: Submit all reservations for current year. Trips must be at least two weeks from request date.
- June 1 and beyond: Reservations not accepted.
Fees and Payment
$20.00 non-refundable application cost recovery fee for each trip. Payment can be made online at pay.gov using credit card, debit, and other EFT payment options. Payment may also be sent via mail. Payments made by money order or checks should be made payable to "National Park Service".
How to Submit
- Online: Submit reservation form and fees online at pay.gov. Search for North Cascades National Park and select the “North Cascades NP Commercial Backcountry Reservation Fees” form. Form is accessible beginning February 1.
- Via mail: Send reservation requests to Backcountry Reservations, North Cascades National Park, 7280 Ranger Station Road, Marblemount, WA 98267. Payment must be received at the same time for request to be considered complete. Requests must include company name, contact name, contact phone and email, and complete itinerary: total number of people, stock, and boats (if applicable), starting and ending trailhead and dates, and dates/camps requested for each night spent in the park.
One reservation per trip. All reservations postmarked or received by February 1 are processed in random order. Initial processing may take up to a month. Subsequent reservations are processed in the order received. You will receive confirmation of all reserved itineraries. To maximize the chances of obtaining a reservation, list alternative sites or itineraries for each trip.
Changing or Canceling Reservations
Once a reservation has been confirmed, changes are not allowed. You may cancel the trip and submit a new reservation request, subject to the same fee structure.
Cancellations: Please notify the Wilderness Information Center (360-854-7245) if a trip cancels, so other visitors may use the sites. Reservations not picked up and converted to a permit by 11 a.m. on the trip start date will be cancelled and the sites may be reassigned.
Converting Reservations to Backcountry Permits
Reservations must be converted to a backcountry permit by 11 a.m. of the first day of the trip or the reservation will be cancelled and the reserved site(s) made available to other visitors. Backcountry permits must be picked up by the trip leader in person at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount, no earlier than the day before the start of a trip. If your party cannot meet the 11 a.m. deadline, call the Wilderness Information Center (360-854-7245) the day of your trip to hold your reservation. If you are not passing through Marblemount, backcountry permits can be obtained at the point of entry nearest your trip:
- Park/Forest Information Center, Sedro-Woolley: Entry via Baker River drainage (Sulphide Glacier) or the north end of Ross Lake (Hozomeen).
- Glacier Public Service Center, Glacier: Entry via Mount Baker Highway 542
- Golden West Visitor Center, Stehekin: Entry via the Stehekin Valley.
- Methow Valley Ranger Station, Winthrop: Entry via the east, State Route 20 (Mon – Fri only).
Contact Information
Backcountry reservations questions: Contact the backcountry reservation coordinator in Marblemount, 360-854-7243.
Trip planning assistance (May – Oct): Call the Wilderness Information Center, 360-854-7245.
Commercial Use Authorization questions: Contact the concessions office in Sedro-Woolley, 360-854-7213.