North Cascades National Park Service Complex (U.S. National Park Service)

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North Cascades National Park Service Complex

Jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 300 glaciers adorn the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Three park units in this mountainous region are managed as one and include North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. These complementary protected lands are united by a contiguous overlay of Stephen Mather Wilderness.

		A Rich Tapestry The mountains, forests, rivers and lakes of North Cascades National Park Service Complex provide a rich tapestry of visitor experience for all abilities and interests. Almost 400 miles of trails and vast undeveloped wilderness allow visitors to experience nature with minimal human-caused intrusions. Possible experiences range from accessible trails to world class mountaineering, including scenic drives, hiking, camping, nature-watching, relaxation, boating and fishing.

Coming September 27 to a PBS station near you!

After six years of working in some of nature’s most spectacular locales, filmmaker Ken Burns and writer Dayton Duncan have produced a new six-episode series called THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA.

This is a story of people: people from every conceivable background—rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy. It is a story full of struggle and conflict, high ideals and crass opportunism, stirring adventure and enduring inspiration—set against the most breathtaking backdrops imaginable.

For more information, please visit the PBS website and check out KCTS9 in September for your local viewing schedule.

This summer, North Cascades National Park is proud to share five Best Ideas to experience your national park. Read about the new Junior Ranger booklets, a Climate Friendly Parks initiative and other programs in our America’s Best Idea handout (4.4 mb).

Totem animal of a new Junior Ranger booklet

Four new FREE Junior Ranger Booklets

A dynamic new Junior Ranger Program is now available for kids and families visiting their national park. Four age-appropriate booklets introduce the unique natural and cultural history of the North Cascades through a series of fun activities and are organized around a specific theme to build connections and knowledge of this national park.

Each booklet also has a “totem animal” that helps guide kids and families through the activities and offers instruction, hints and ways they can explore the North Cascades. Download the activity booklets for the Pacific Treefrog (ages 3-5), Black Bear (5-8), Raven (8-11), and the Mountain Goat (12+).

Future Junior Rangers can earn free badges, patches and certificates at any of the six visitor information centers in North Cascades National Park Complex.

The North Cascades are Calling

You are invited to visit and enjoy North Cascades National Park. As we enter our 5th decade of caring for the park we need your help to care for the North Cascades. Enjoy a visit to the park where recreation, education and restoration blend as one. Experience the natural splendors of the North Cascades, meet interesting people and contribute to the wellbeing of the park. Stewardship Opportunities

You are invited to view:“Cascading Effects: Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest”. It examines the sublime landscapes of North Cascades, Mount Rainier, and Olympic National Parks. Researchers shed light on emerging indications that climate change is real and predict how warming temperatures will affect the natural resources and timeless beauty of the region. As glaciers melt and the winter snow-pack decreases, what is the fate of the aquatic ecosystems and cold water fish that depend on runoff during the hottest and driest parts of the year? How will enormous amounts of unstable sediment exposed by retreating ice-sheets affect the roads and infrastructure of these parks? Will pine beetle infestations and larger forest fires become widespread in the approaching future?

Part I
Part II

Write to

North Cascades NPSC
810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information
(360) 854-7200

Wilderness Information Center
(360) 854-7245

Fax

(360) 856-1934

Climate

Steep mountains and onshore weather systems from the Pacific Ocean influence a wide range of climate conditions in the North Cascades. One of the snowiest places on earth, the westside mountains collect more snow than melts each year (forming glaciers). On the east side of the mountains, conditions are much dryer.
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