Most of the car campgrounds in the park complex are closed for the winter, but the following remain open with limited services:
Goodell Creek Campground:19 sites for tents or smaller RV's.
Gorge Lake Campground: 7 sites for tents or smaller RV's.
Colonial Creek Campground:10 walk-in tent-only sites. These lakefront involve hiking 10 to 30 yards to reach the sites.
No water or trash service is available. Pack out all of your trash. Vault toilets are open at each campground. Reservations are not accepted during the non-peak season, and there is currently no fee for camping. See Campground Details below.
Tips and Regulations
When possible, make reservations as early as you can.
First-come, first-served campgrounds usually fill by late morning, especially on weekends. Plan ahead to obtain a site.
Due to limited phone access, there is no way to check availability of first-come, first-served sites. You must physically be in the campground to claim a site when it opens.
Overnight camping or parking is only allowed in designated campgrounds or campsites. There is no dispersed camping in the park complex.
Campsite occupancy is limited to eight people, three tents, and two vehicles per site.
Camping is limited to 14 days from July 1 through Labor Day (first Monday in September) and to 30 days the rest of the year.
Firewood, ice, gas, and other services are not available in the park complex. The nearest services are in the town of Marblemount, WA.
Car Campgrounds
The majority of car campgrounds are on a reservation system through recreation.gov. The remainder of the campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Campground reservations are accepted during the specified season dates on the Recreation.gov website. Campgrounds may be open before or after the reservation season on a first-come, first-served basis. Click on the campground names below for more information and current status.
Goodell Creek Campground - Main Campground is first-come, first-served; the Upper and Lower Group Campgrounds are reservation system
Directions: Located south of SR 20 at mile post 119. 13 miles (21 km) east of Marblemount, 74 miles (119 km) west of Winthrop. Details: Situated in lush, old growth forest on the banks of the Skagit River. Elevation 500'.
Capacity: 19 sites. Campground appropriate for tents and small RVs. Fees and Reservations: Free. First-come, first-served. No reservations. Check out time noon. Facilities and Services: Drinking water, garbage service, and vault toilets provided. No hook-ups or showers. Covered picnic shelter. Gathering firewood is prohibited, but firewood can be purchased outside of the park. Recreational Opportunities: Raft/kayak launch on the Skagit River. Fishing on the Skagit and tributaries.
Upper and Lower Goodell Group Camps Directions: Located north of SR 20 at mile post 119. 13 miles (21 km) east of Marblemount, 74 miles (119 km) west of Winthrop. Details: Situated in lush, old growth forest on the banks of the Skagit River. Elevation 500'. Capacity: Lower Group sites maximum 50 people, 25 vehicles per site. Upper Group maximum 30 people, 10 vehicles per sites. Fees and Reservations: $50/night for reservations. Reservations can be made 3-360 days in advance at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. Check out time noon. Facilities and Services: Vault toilet. No hook-ups or potable water. Garbage service provided. Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firewood is available outside the park. Campground reservations are accepted during the specified season dates. Campgrounds may be open before or after the reservation season on a first-come, first-served basis.
Directions: Located south of SR 20 at mile post 120. 14 miles (23 km) east of Marblemount, 73 miles (117 km) west of Winthrop just west of the town of Newhalem. Details: Limited sites can accommodate up to 45 ft for large RVs. Visit recreation.gov for site specific information. Conveniently located between the town of Newhalem and the North Cascades Visitor Center on the banks of the Skagit River, near many natural and historic destinations. A series of short walks and interpretive trails link the campground to the natural and historic destinations. Elevation 500'. Capacity: 107 sites. Large RVs can be accommodated Fees and Reservations: $16/night for reservations. Reservations accepted for Loops A, B and C. Reserve sites 3-180 days in advance online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. Check out time noon. Facilities and Services: Potable water, garbage and recycling service, and flush toilets provided. No showers or hook-ups. Fully accessible site available. Driveway lengths for RVs vary (see www.recreation.gov for lengths). Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firewood is available outside the park. Campground reservations are accepted during the specified season dates. Campgrounds may be open before or after the reservation season on a first-come, first-served basis. Recreational Opportunities: Several short walks and interpretive trails. Fishing on the Skagit. Ranger programs in campground and at the visitor center during summer.
Directions: Located south of SR 20 at mile post 120. 14 miles (23 km) east of Marblemount, 73 miles (117 km) west of Winthrop and just west of the town of Newhalem. Details: Conveniently located between the town of Newhalem and the North Cascades Visitor Center on the banks of the Skagit River. Near many natural and historic destinations. A series of short walks and interpretive trails link the campground to natural, prehistoric, and historic destinations. Elevation 500'. Capacity: 2 group sites, maximum occupancy is 25 people per site. Fees and Reservations: $40/night for reservations. Reservations can be made 3-360 days in advance at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. Check out time noon. Facilities and Services: Potable water, garbage and recycling service, and flush toilets provided. No showers or hook-ups. Each site has a covered pavilion with picnic tables and barbecue grill. Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firewood is available outside the park. Campground reservations are accepted during the specified season dates. Campgrounds may be open before or after the reservation season on a first-come, first-served basis. Recreational Opportunities:Hiking:Short walks and interpretive trails. Fishing: Skagit River, Goodell Creek, Ladder Creek, and Newhalem Creek. Programs:Ranger-led programs in campground and at North Cascades Visitor Center during summer.
GORGE LAKE CAMPGROUND
Status
Comments
OPEN
Sept. 21, 2020-mid-May, 2021: Open first-come, first-served with no water, services, and fees.
Mid-May, 2021-Sept. 2021: Open for reservations with services and fees.
Directions: Located just outside the town of Diablo, north of SR 20 at mile post 126. 20 miles (32 km) east of Marblemount, 67 miles (108 km) west of Winthrop. Details: On the bank of Gorge Lake, next to the cascading Stetattle Creek. Elevation 900'. Capacity: 8 sites Fees and Reservations: $10/night for reservations. Reserve sites 3-180 days in advance online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. Check out time noon. Facilities and Services: Primitive camp with no water. Bring water. Vault toilets, garbage and recycling available. Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firewood is available outside the park. Recreational Opportunities: Boat launch on Gorge Lake. Hiking trails nearby. Fishing on Gorge Lake.
COLONIAL CREEK CAMPGROUND
Status
Comments
North Loop
CLOSED
Mid-May, 2021: Will reopen with with water, services, and fees; first-come, first-served basis.
South Loop
OPEN
(10 Sites Only)
South loop sites are open for reservations with services during reservation window through recreation.gov.
Lakefront
Sept. 21, 2020-late-May, 2021: 10 walk-in sites open with no water, services, or fees; first-come, first-served.
Lower Loop:
Late-May, 2021: will reopen for reservations with water, services, and fees.
Upper Loop:
Late-May, 2021: will reopen for reservations with water, services, and fees.
Reserve individual sites 3-180 days in advance at Recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777.
Entrance station for Colonial Creek Campground on Diablo Lake.
Directions: Located off of SR 20 at mile post 130. 25 miles (40 km) east of Marblemount, 63 miles (101 km) west of Winthrop. Details: This campground is not large RV friendly. Large RVs can better be accommodated in Newhalem Creek Campground sites. Camp in old growth forest at the base of the impressively glaciated Colonial Peak on the shore of Diablo Lake. Elevation 1200'. Capacity: 93 sites Fees and Reservations: $16/night for reservations. Reserve sites 3-180 days in advance online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. Check out time noon. Facilities and Services: Flush toilets, garbage and recycling service, and potable water available. No hook-ups or showers. Fully accessible camp sites available. Walk-in campsites available. Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firewood can be purchased outside of the park. Campground reservations are accepted during the specified season dates. Campgrounds may be open before or after the reservation season on a first-come, first-served basis. Recreational Opportunities: Fully accessible fishing pier and boat launch on Diablo Lake. Hiking opportunities for various abilities on Thunder Creek, Thunder Woods Nature Walk, and Thunder Knob trails. Evening ranger programs and weekend activities during the summer.
Directions: Located off of SR 20 at mile post 130. 25 miles (40 km) east of Marblemount, 63 miles (101 km) west of Winthrop. Details: This campground is not large RV friendly. Large RVs can better be accommodated in Newhalem Creek Campground sites. Camp in old growth forest at the base of the impressively glaciated Colonial Peak on the shore of Diablo Lake. Elevation 1200'. Capacity: 42 sites Fees and Reservations: Free. First-come, first-served. No reservations. Check out time noon. Facilities and Services: Flush toilets, garbage and recycling service, and potable water available. No hook-ups or showers. Fully accessible camp sites available. Walk-in campsites available. Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firewood can be purchased outside of the park. Recreational Opportunities: Fully accessible fishing pier and boat launch on Diablo Lake. Hiking opportunities for various abilities on Thunder Creek, Thunder Woods Nature Walk, and Thunder Knob trails. Evening ranger programs and weekend activities during the summer.
HOZOMEEN CAMPGROUND
Status
Comments
OPEN
COVID-19 Update as of July 8, 2020:
Campsites are accessible only from the United States side by hiking or boating via State Route 20/Ross Lake; the international border gate remains closed until further notice.
Campsites located in the Upper Loop are closed until further notice due to hazard trees.
Nov - mid May - Closed at border gate. Walk-in only access when border gate is closed.
Directions: Located 40 miles (64 km) south of Hope, B.C. on Silver/Skagit Rd. To reach Hozomeen take the Silver/Skagit Road from Highway #1, Exit 168, 2 mi (3 km) west of Hope, B.C. Travel south for 40 miles (64km) to reach the campground, Ranger Station, and boat launch. The Silver/Skagit Road is maintained but unpaved and often rough, carry a spare tire. For current road conditions refer to the road conditions report. Hozomeen Campground is not accessible by road from the U.S. Details: Deep in the mountains, this primitive camp sits near the US-Canadian border at the north end of Ross Lake. Elevation 1600'. Capacity: 75 designated sites plus other camping areas. Fees and Reservations: Free. First-come, first-served. No reservations. Check out time noon. Facilities and Services: Potable water. Vault Toilets. No gas or services available, all garbage must be packed out. Recreational Opportunities: Boat launch on Ross Lake. Fishing on Ross Lake. Hiking trails. Interpretive programs during the summer.
