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North Cascades National Park

@ncascadesnps

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Jagged peaks, waterfalls, and over 300 glaciers adorn the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.

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This time of year is a popular time to go fishing in the park complex! We sent an email to the salmon on when they planned on swimming upriver but we didn't get a respawnse.

The Skagit River, one of Washington’s major watersheds, is home to all five native salmon species: Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, and Chum. It's also home to steelhead, cutthroat trout, freshwater trout, and char. The Stehekin River also supports rainbow and cutthroat trout, among other species.

If you are planning on fishing in the North Cascades, make sure you have your Washington State fishing license and know the regulations of the area you plan to fish. More information on fishing in the park complex can be found on our website.

NPS Photo Two salmon swimming near the rocky riverbed with aquatic plants in the background. by @ncascadesnps

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a day ago

Today is the last day the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount is open this year!

A permit is required for backcountry camping year-round. After October 10, 2026 self-issue permits are available outside the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount or via email at noca_wilderness@nps.gov.

Information about trail and backcountry camp closures due to wildfires is on our website. Self-issued permits cannot be made for closed areas.

For trip planning information check out the Wilderness Trip Planner on our website.

Link in bio.

#Wilderness #Backcountry #NorthCascades #LeaveNoTrace

NPS Photo Wooden sign for Wilderness Information Center with National Park Service emblem and a closed notice below it. by @ncascadesnps

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6 days ago

News Release: Prescribed Burn Planned at North Cascades National Park Service Complex to Improve Habitat and Reduce Wildfire Risk

The National Park Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service are preparing for prescribed pile burns in Ross Lake and Lake Chelan national recreation areas throughout October and November, conditions and staffing permitting.

The burn piles consist of brush, logs and branches from fire suppression activities on the Border 2 and Sisi fires. Fire managers will conduct the burns when conditions are favorable and the potential for fire to spread beyond the pile footprint is low.

For the full news release visit link in bio.

NPS Photo Firefighter stands near a controlled burn in an autumn forest with orange and red leaves. by @ncascadesnps

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7 days ago

58 years of jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and hundreds of glaciers — and North Cascades National Park is still reaching new heights. ✨

Did you know that @ncascadesnps was established as a national park on October 2, 1968?

Happy birthday to an absolute icon: North Cascades National Park, known as the “American Alps” and one of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in the country. Here’s to protecting its magic for the next 58 years. 💚

📷: Laura Lango (@forthrightphoto)

#ForTheParks #FindYourPark #NorthCascades #AmericanAlps taken in North Cascades National Park Service Complex by @ncascadesnps

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14 days ago

It's time for larch madness! The golden hues of the larch (tamarack) trees in the higher elevations of the park draw in photographers, hikers, and lovers of trees from far and wide.

If you're visiting the park complex or are on any of the highways in the Cascade Mountains this weekend, be prepared for crowds as well as beauty! While driving on State Route 20, be aware of pedestrians and traffic pulling into the road and know that many trailheads fill by 9 am or earlier.

Be patient, be safe, and enjoy the fall spectacle of North Cascades larches.

NPS Photos Golden trees with a clear blue sky and mountain peaks in the background in the top photo with text that says "Instagram". The bottom photo shows lines of cars parked along the highway with text that says "...versus reality." by @ncascadesnps

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15 days ago

The North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem closes for the season on September 27, 2026 at 5pm. In person visitor services will resume in May 2027.

The Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount remains open daily from 7am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 4pm until October 10, 2026.

The Forest Information Center and Park Administrative Headquarters building in Sedro-Woolley is open year-round but hours and days may vary.

The rest of the park complex remains open year-round.

For current hours, visit link in bio.

NPS Photo Ranger hat and wooden sign reading 'CLOSED' sit on a stone wall outside a visitor center entrance. by @ncascadesnps

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20 days ago

It's starting to feel more like early fall across the North Cascades. Alpine vegetation is changing colors, with more frequent rain and shorter days.

Conditions can change quickly in the North Cascades. Rangers recently reported several inches of fresh snow above 7,000 feet, so be prepared for cool, wet weather if you plan to venture to high elevations. At the same time, fires are still active in areas of the park and smoky conditions are possible. The shorter and cooler days tell animals to get ready for winter, so bears are especially focused on getting enough calories to survive. If you see a bear actively foraging on berries or insects, give them plenty of space.

Be diligent about storing your food in an IGBC approved canister or bear locker. If a bear approaches you on the trail or at camp, make lots of noise and keep your packs nearby. Report close encounters to NPS staff. Keep wildlife alive and well by keeping your distance and storing your scented items properly. When given the opportunity to eat human food, habituation can occur and result in harm to the animal. Be a part of the prevention, not the problem.

For more information about current conditions, check link in bio.

NPS Photo A mountain range with layered clouds and fog under a blue sky. by @ncascadesnps

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a month ago

North Cascades National Park Service Complex is recruiting campground host and visitor center volunteers for the 2027 season!

We are seeking energetic and friendly volunteers to serve as campground hosts. Campground volunteer opportunities include the option to be "residential" (on-site) hosts in either Newhalem Creek Campground or Colonial Creek Campground, or "alternate" hosts which rotate through the various campgrounds to cover the days off of residential hosts.

Visitor Center Volunteers greet visitors, answer questions about the park, and rove trails and overlooks to assist park visitors with orientation, information, and interpretation of the park.

Volunteers work 32 hours per week over four days (including holidays and weekends when needed) with 3 consecutive days off each week. Volunteers are required to wear the National Park Service volunteer uniform at all times while on duty (shirts and hats provided). Volunteer campsites are provided. Volunteers are strongly recommended to bring a trailer/RV or self-contained unit. Positions will begin in early May with training on park resources and operations and last through mid-September.

Visit volunteer.gov and search North Cascades to apply. Park volunteer with long hair and a wide-brimmed hat walks along a shaded forest trail surrounded by foliage. by @ncascadesnps

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Are you hoping to camp in the park complex this month?

Campground reservations are required through September 6, 2026. Starting September 7, 2026 all sites will be first-come, first-served as long as the campgrounds are open.

How long are the campgrounds open?

⛺Colonial Creek North Campground, Colonial Creek South Campground and Loop C of Newhalem Creek Campground will close on September 14, 2026.

⛺Loops A & B of Newhalem Creek Campground will close on September 27, 2026.

What if I want to camp later in the fall or the winter?

⛺Goodell Creek and Gorge Lake Campgrounds remain open year-round as well as ten walk-in, tent-only sites in Colonial Creek South Campground. Potable water and trash services are not available after September.

For more information visit link in bio.

NPS Photo Two tents set up in a dense forest campsite with folding chairs and a picnic table covered in a floral tablecloth. by @ncascadesnps

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a month ago

Trail, camp, and area closure update: There are additional closures in place for the Thunder Creek and Sisi Fires. Fire closure information can be found on the Fire Closures page https://go.nps.gov/fc.

Stehekin businesses are open and continue to welcome visitors outside of the closure areas.

Chelan County Sheriff's Office has issued a Level 1 Fire Advisory (Get Ready) for Stehekin Valley Road from Harlequin Bridge to High Bridge, including Company Creek Road and side roads. A Level 1 Fire Advisory alerts residents and visitors there is a wildfire in the area. You can monitor the Chelan County Emergency Management Facebook page or the Chelan County Incident Map for updates. The live incident map is at bit.ly/43qqPnm.

For more information on the Sisi Fire visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waowf-sisi-fire or https://www.facebook.com/LittleGiantFire2026.

Photo 1 Thunder Creek Fire, Photo 2 Sisi Fire by @ncascadesnps

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2 months ago

Although the North Cascades frequently enjoy a summer drought with warm dry conditions, cool rainy weather is a possibility year-round. Maybe it's raining right now!

Snow is possible in any month, especially at higher elevations. Check the forecast before leaving home and remember that the weather in the North Cascades can change quickly. Even in the summer, warm layers and good rain gear are a necessity, and a hat and gloves are often welcome. Dress in layers so you can regulate your body temperature by adding or removing insulation. Avoid cotton clothing—it is cold and does not insulate well when wet. Instead, bring wool, fleece or other synthetics, which perform much better in wet or cool conditions.

Check the park website for current conditions to help you be prepared for your visit at https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

NPS Photo Snow patches scattered across rugged mountain slopes under a partly cloudy blue sky with evergreen trees in the foreground. by @ncascadesnps

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2 months ago

Attention Cascade River Road users: Skagit River Marblemount Bridge will be closed overnight for repairs August 24–28 and September 14–18, Monday night–Friday morning, 8 pm–4 am. There is no access to Cascade River Road during the nighttime closure.

Visitors seeking permits for trips starting on Cascade River Road must come in person to the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount the day of or day before they start their trip. Check link in bio for current Operating Hours & Seasons.

Bear canisters are required for most backcountry areas accessed from Cascade River Road. Permit holders can borrow bear canisters for free at the Wilderness Information Center.

For more information on the project and closure visit the Skagit County webpage.

Photo courtesy of Skagit County A truss bridge spans over a lush green area under a clear blue sky. by @ncascadesnps

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