Top Ten Tips: Know Before You Go

Discover ways to make the most of your trip to the North Cascades. NPS / BRYANNA PLOG

Plan Like a Park Ranger!

Are you planning a trip to North Cascades National Park Service Complex this summer? Check out these top ranger tips for a fun, safe, and unforgettable trip! For more information on visiting other national park sites this summer, visit go.nps.gov/summer.

1. Reserve A Campsite In Advance

Reservations are required for campgrounds along State Route 20 and in Stehekin, so reserve your space through Recreation.gov ahead of time. If you need to stay outside the park, remember many local campgrounds and lodging options also require reservations and are likely to fill quickly as well.

2. Prepare For Your Backcountry Trip

Check availability or make reservations for an upcoming overnight backcountry trip at Recreation.gov. Be sure to have a backup plan in case your first campsite choice is full. Walk-up backcountry permits are first-come, first-served and subject to same-day availability.

3. Check Current Conditions

Wondering what roads are open in the park complex, or what the conditions are like on a certain trail? Check current conditions before you arrive.

4. Be Bear Aware

Many bears make their home in the North Cascades, and sightings are not uncommon. Travel safely in bear country and store food properly to protect yourself and the park complex’s wildlife.

5. Pack It In / Pack It Out

Dispose of trash and recyclables properly. Follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out what you bring in, including all trash, face masks, recyclables, and left-over food.

6. Avoid Crowds

Weekends are usually busier than weekdays during the summer. Visiting on weekdays, and arriving in early morning, can help you avoid crowds and make it easier to find a place to park at popular trailheads.

7. Hike With A Pet

Leashed pets are allowed within the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas, including on trails within the recreation areas. Plan ahead for a successful trip with your pet.

8. Prepare For The Weather

Check the weather forecast before leaving home, but remember that the weather in the North Cascades can change quickly. Cool, rainy weather is a possibility year round, and higher elevations are colder.

9. Check Visitor Center Operating Hours

Before heading to a visitor center or ranger station, check operating hours and come prepared with your questions!

10. Download The App

The new NPS App has information for North Cascades National Park Service Complex and over 400 of your favorite parks! You can also choose to download the park info to your phone to use it when you are out of cell coverage. Download through the Apple Store and on Google Play.

Where this belongs

• North Cascades National Park

Where this page came from

This page was imported from National Park Service. Produced by the U.S. National Park Service and, as a work of the United States government, in the public domain.

Nobody has written it yet — it is the source material at a new address, which is why search engines are asked to skip it and why no one earns from it. It is up for grabs: take it on, and it is yours to rewrite and to earn from.