North cascadea narional park free#

One, east of the mountains in the Columbia River Basin, and two, in the Pacific Northwest/Puget Lowlands. Indian Heritage - Due to the rugged nature of the mountains, two cultures emerged. Some more recent and unique lodgings are still there. Lots of history abounds in the park from two hundred and sixty prehistoric sites to Indian heritage to white settlement historic mines and long lost hotels. Photo above: Climbing by the hardy during winter at Sahale Peak. But there's also a good deal in Newhalem, which can be driven to off Route 20. Visiting the history here also takes some doing much of it surrounds Stehekin, including the remnants of the Old Stehekin School, House that Jack Built, or Rainbow Falls. For the more hardy and experienced, yes, but worth the trouble if you like to carry and have an adventure. You can access the lake from a southern point, but that requires portage of your canoe, kayak, or other water craft around Ross Dam to camps and boat access. Hozomeen is the only road access location on Ross Lake and it can only be gotten to from Canada. Access to Ross Lake for boating, or Lake Chelan for that matter, takes planning. But it requires planning and knowledge of the whens and wheres. Bring a variety of clothing no matter the time of year.Īlthough most visitors to the three areas of North Cascades will access the park off the Route 20 corridor, there's so much to do inland. There are still frequent storms even during the spring, summer, and fall, so be prepared and check the weather forecast often.

Shuttle Bus (Lake Chelan) - $7 adults (one way) $4 under 12 extra for bike, etc.įrom late fall to spring, this is snow country, with common avalanches and road closures, but mid-June to September are temperate with higher temperatures in the Lake Chelan region that might surprise you.

North cascadea narional park free#

Source: NPS, Rank among 378 National Park Units 2019.Ĭamping Fees - Free Backcountry with permit, Free to $16 at other developed campgrounds.ĭock Fee (Lake Chelan) - $5 per day, $40 for Annual Pass.