From accessible trails to multi-day backcountry hikes, the North Cascades National Park Complex in Washington State offers something for everybody, with over 400 miles (643.7 km) of trails on which to stretch your legs and test your limits.

Walking along the Sterling Munro Trail, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, North Cascades National Park Complex / Rebecca Latson
Park staff divide the trails up by time taken to hike there and back. These trails ranging from easy to strenuous may take you anywhere from under an hour to the entire day to complete. Along the way, you will see some awesome scenery and perhaps a little wildlife, as well.
To read the different trail descriptions, click on the links below.
Note: Stehekin trails are a separate link. Why? Because you can’t get there from here if you intend to drive to the trailhead. Located at the northern end of Lake Chelan, there are no roads into Stehekin from the outside. This small, isolated community is accessible by boat (including ferry), plane, or a 23-mile hike from the Cascade Pass parking lot.
All overnight backpacking trips require a backcountry permit. To help you prepare for a backcountry adventure, check out the park’s wilderness planner page. You’ll read about backcountry safety and get the links to trail and road conditions, among other things.

The Pacific Crest Trail, North Cascades National Park / Rebecca Latson
Thinking of bringing along your pet for a day (or more) in the park? Check the park’s rules, since there are a few things you should know.
- Always keep your pet on a leash no longer than 6 feet (1.8 m). Pets can chase or disturb wildlife, which can injure or kill them, in addition to damaging fragile vegetation. Stressed wildlife may also flee or react aggressively. Pets can also frighten or injure people or other peoples’ pets. Some people may have allergies or other concerns. In turn, pets can be injured by wildlife, other peoples’ pets, or by accidents. Since they can’t necessarily read maps, they might get lost off-trail.
- Bag your pet’s poop. Pack out what you pack in, including pet waste from all areas in the park including campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, roads, pet-friendly trails, and other developed areas.
- Know where you can go. Pets are allowed on a leash within the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan national recreation areas. Pets are also allowed on most surrounding national forest lands. Pets are not allowed within the national park except on a leash on the Pacific Crest Trail and within 50 feet (15 m) of roads. Service animals are allowed for those with disabilities. If you are not sure where you can hike with your pet, please contact the Wilderness Information Center. Pets are welcome in drive in campgrounds and picnic areas as well as paved or dirt roads, but no digging or rolling on plants as that will damage vegetation.
- Don’t leave your pet unattended. Summer heat poses a threat to pets left in vehicles.
- Service animals are an exception to these rules and may accompany their owner to all park locations. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
- Have your pet become a B.A.R.K. Ranger! To participate in the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program, please visit the North Cascades Visitor Center.