All parks › North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
North Cascades National Park is a national park in Washington and part of the U.S. National Park System[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee to pay[1].
Entrance fees and passes
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for North Cascades National Park[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.
When to visit and hours
The park is open all year, but NPS describes its main operating season as running from late May to late September, with fewer services outside that window[6]. The North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem opens during that season, and its dates can change from year to year[6]. NPS says the weather is generally best from mid-June to late September, and summer daytime temperatures average in the 70s F[7]. By mid-July, NPS says most trails are generally clear of snow[7]. It also advises planning for a few days of wet, windy weather because storms are common[7]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 16,828 recreation visits, and the quietest was December with 3[2].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 16 |
| February | 6 |
| March | 10 |
| April | 804 |
| May | 1,186 |
| June | 2,404 |
| July | 16,828 |
| August | 14,431 |
| September | 9,475 |
| October | 1,713 |
| November | 49 |
| December | 3 |
Camping
NPS and Recreation.gov list 11 campgrounds in the park[4]. The largest is Newhalem Creek Campground with 108 sites, followed by Colonial Creek South Campground with 94 sites[4]. NPS lists nightly fees for individual sites from $20 to $24[4].
- Newhalem Creek Campground, 108 sites[4]
- Colonial Creek South Campground, 94 sites
- Hozomeen Campground, 75 sites
- Colonial Creek North Campground, 40 sites
- Goodell Creek Campground, 19 sites
- Lakeview Campground, 9 sites
- Gorge Lake Campground, 8 sites
- Harlequin Campground, 8 sites
- Purple Point Campground, 6 sites
- Lower Goodell Group Campground, 2 sites
- Upper Goodell Group Campground, 1 sites
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS rule, pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet, or crated or caged, wherever they are allowed[8]. The rule also keeps pets out of public buildings, off public transportation and away from designated swimming beaches, though service animals are exempt[8]. NPS marks pets as permitted for activities such as day hiking and fishing here, but the park can close more areas, so check before you bring a dog[9][8].
Before you go
- There is no entrance fee, according to NPS[1].
- Services are limited outside the late May to late September season[6].
- Bring rain and wind gear, since NPS notes storms are common[7].
- NPS lists 4 visitor centers, including the North Cascades Visitor Center and the Golden West Visitor Center[10].
- Fees, hours and rules can change, so confirm on the official park page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- Does North Cascades National Park have an entrance fee?
- No. NPS lists North Cascades as a fee-free park with no entrance fee[1].
- When is the best time to visit North Cascades National Park?
- NPS says the best weather is generally from mid-June to late September[7]. The main operating season runs from late May to late September[6].
- Are dogs allowed in North Cascades National Park?
- Where pets are allowed, they must be on a leash of six feet or less, or crated or caged[8]. NPS marks pets as permitted for activities such as day hiking and fishing, but the park may close more areas[9][8].
- How many campgrounds are in North Cascades National Park?
- NPS and Recreation.gov list 11 campgrounds[4]. NPS lists nightly individual-site fees from $20 to $24[4].
- Is North Cascades National Park open in winter?
- The park is open year-round, but services are limited outside the late May to late September operating season[6].
Facts and sources
- NPS lists North Cascades National Park as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 17,855, 2022: 30,154, 2023: 40,351, 2024: 16,485, 2025: 46,925. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Campgrounds in North Cascades National Park (list on this page). National Park Service
- North Cascades National Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Park) in Washington. National Park Service
- Operating hours, North Cascades National Park Service Complex: North Cascades National Park Service Complex is open year-round. The park operational season is late May-late September, with limited services outside the operational season. The North Cascades... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for North Cascades National Park. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 6 things to do at North Cascades National Park: Day Hiking in North Cascades, Plan a Backcountry Trip, Fishing in the North Cascades, Paddling in the North Cascades, Motorboating in the North Cascades, Rafting in the North Cascades. Pets... National Park Service
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 4 (Forest Info Center with HQ Administration Building, Golden West Visitor Center, North Cascades Visitor Center, Wilderness Information Center). National Park Service