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The North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem and campgrounds along State Route 20 are open for the season tomorrow!

Campgrounds are reservable on Recreation.gov either 6 months or 7 days in advance, with unreserved sites available first-come, first-served.

The visitor center is open 9 am to 5 pm daily through September. Stop by the exhibits, watch the park film, and talk with a ranger!

Check link in bio for more information on operating hours.

Seeing a bear is a memorable experience, but your safety greatly depends on your actions. Bears are wild animals, and public lands are their home. Remember the following while recreating in bear country:

Bears are active now. Spring and early summer bring increased bear movement as bears search for food, move through habitat and, in some areas, protect cubs.

Bear safety protects people and bears. Unattended human food, waste, and scented items can attract bears. Never leave food, garbage, or anything used to prepare, consume, store, or transport food unattended.

Report when you see bears. Help us keep people and wildlife safe by reporting sightings and encounters at visitor contact station

For more information on wildlife safety, visit link in bio.

NPS Photo

The Wilderness Information Center is open for the season starting tomorrow, May 15! The center will be open 7 days a week, 7-11:30 am and 12:30-4 pm.
Learn more about the Backcountry Permit process at link in bio

News Release: Services Limited at Stehekin Landing Following Winter Flood Damage

The North Cascades National Park Service Complex today announced summer 2026 operations at Stehekin Landing will be limited following historic flooding in December that left the area’s wastewater treatment plant inoperable.

As a result, North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin will not offer public services this season, including lodging, food service, retail, fuel, laundry, or showers. Postal service, ferry service, and private shuttle and tour operators will continue to operate. Lakeview and Purple Point Campgrounds will remain open, first-come, first-served and free of charge.

For more information and the full news release visit the News Release page at link in bio.

NPS / BRYANNA PLOG

Want to camp in the park but weren't able to make a reservation 6 months in advance?

We have good news for you! A portion of sites in Goodell Creek, Newhalem Creek and Colonial Creek Campgrounds are available to reserve 7 days in advance.

Reservations will start being released at 7am on May 11 and then on a rolling basis until August 30 since reservations are no longer required after September 6. All campsite reservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

Need more information? Visit link in bio.

The North Cascades National Park Backcountry Permits General On-Sale opens tomorrow April 29 at 7 am Pacific Time! Users can see campsite availability and make reservations for trips occurring between May 15 and October 10 at Recreation.gov.

If you want to make reservations for a backcountry trip, have your camps (and some backups) planned out before you log in to Recreation.gov and book your trip. Reservations for the entire summer can be booked up to two days before the start date of a trip; permits must then be picked up through the Wilderness Information Center.

About 40% of backcountry camp spots are held for walk-up permits and can be picked up the day of or day before you start your trip.

FAQs and more information can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/backcountry-reservations.htm

NPS Photo

Did you know that pets are allowed in many areas within North Cascades National Park Service Complex?

People are often surprised to know where their pets can go. The complex is made up of one national park and two national recreation areas. Pets are allowed within Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas, including on trails and in campgrounds. However, pets must be on a leash or confined at all times.

Pets are not allowed within North Cascades National Park, such as trails and backcountry campsites like Cascade Pass or Copper Ridge. The exception to this rule is that pets ARE allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Check link in bio for more information on pet-friendly trails, as well as how to become a BARK ranger.

#PlanAhead #BeABarkRanger

Kicking off Earth Day the hands-on way. 🌎

Last Saturday, Washington’s National Park Fund, a nonprofit partner to North Cascades National Park, kicked off Earth Day early with volunteers and park staff working side by side to clear winter debris from Gorge Creek Overlook.

The team had a blast getting our hands dirty, helping keep trails and visitor spaces safe and welcoming for all.

Learn more about the ways we support the park at wnpf.org.

#ForTheParks #FindYourPark

Although the days are getting warmer, temperature in the lakes and rivers are usually around 40°F (10°C), which is about as cold as your fridge. Cold-water immersion will cause hypothermia followed by unconsciousness, and you can't swim very well if you are unconscious. Know the forecast and have a plan for self-rescue. Wear a properly fitting life jacket - it can save your life!

Check link in bio for more information on staying safe in North Cascades.

News Release: Work Begins to Support Emergency Reconstruction After Historic Flood

The National Park Service today announced it has awarded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the construction contract to reconstruct Company Creek Road. USACE’s Rapid Response Team began work this week to rebuild an elevated interim road across federal lands. The interim road will provide similar access to the upper Company Creek area as the hasty corduroy road that has been used since floods in December 2025. Work is expected to last a few weeks.

For more information and the full news release visit the News Release page at link in bio.

North Cascades National Park Service Complex is now recruiting campground host volunteers for the 2026 season!

We are seeking energetic and friendly volunteers to serve as campground hosts for Newhalem Creek, Goodell Creek, and Colonial Creek Campgrounds. Volunteer opportunities include the option to be "residential" (on-site) hosts in Newhalem Creek Campground, or "alternate" hosts which rotate through the various campgrounds to cover the days off of residential hosts. Volunteer positions are available from May through September.

For more information and to apply visit: Volunteer.gov

Spring in the North Cascades means longer days, warm sunshine, and lots of new greenery and flowers! Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are visiting the park complex this spring.

Remember that SR20 is closed at Colonial Creek (MP 130) due to a large rockslide so there is no access to Diablo Lake Overlook or Ross Dam Trail. Instead consider:

🏔️Walking along the Skagit River on the River Loop Trail near the North Cascades Visitor Center
🏔️Visiting the town of Newhalem and take a walk on a trail
🏔️Taking in views of Gorge Creek Falls and stroll along a short, interpretive trail

For more information on road conditions, visit Washington State Department of Transportation. Check link in bio for more information on trip planning.

NPS Photo / Deby Dixon

Spring in the North Cascades means longer days, warm sunshine, and lots of new greenery and flowers! Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are visiting the park complex this spring.

Remember that SR20 is closed at Colonial Creek (MP 130) due to a large rockslide so there is no access to Diablo Lake Overlook or Ross Dam Trail. Instead consider:

🏔️Walking along the Skagit River on the River Loop Trail near the North Cascades Visitor Center
🏔️Visiting the town of Newhalem and take a walk on a trail
🏔️Taking in views of Gorge Creek Falls and stroll along a short, interpretive trail

For more information on road conditions, visit Washington State Department of Transportation. Check link in bio for more information on trip planning.

NPS Photo / Deby Dixon

Spring in the North Cascades means longer days, warm sunshine, and lots of new greenery and flowers! Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are visiting the park complex this spring.

Remember that SR20 is closed at Colonial Creek (MP 130) due to a large rockslide so there is no access to Diablo Lake Overlook or Ross Dam Trail. Instead consider:

🏔️Walking along the Skagit River on the River Loop Trail near the North Cascades Visitor Center
🏔️Visiting the town of Newhalem and take a walk on a trail
🏔️Taking in views of Gorge Creek Falls and stroll along a short, interpretive trail

For more information on road conditions, visit Washington State Department of Transportation. Check link in bio for more information on trip planning.

NPS Photo / Deby Dixon