North Cascades
The Bald Eagle area is essentially the 10-mile stretch of the Skagit River between Rockport and Marblemount. After salmon spawn, their spent carcasses…
©Andrew Bertino/Shutterstock
North Cascades
Dominated by Mt Baker and – to a lesser extent – the more remote Glacier Peak, the North Cascades region is made up of a huge swath of protected forests, parks and wilderness areas that dwarf even the expansive Rainier and St Helens parks to the south. The crème de la crème is the North Cascades National Park, a primeval stash of old-growth rainforest, groaning glaciers and untainted ecosystems whose savage beauty goes unexplored by all but 2500 or so annual visitors who penetrate its rainy interior. Dotting this rugged landscape are a tiny handful of small towns, many of which are not much more than a gas station, a cafe and a general store.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
North Cascades
Just south of Ross Lake, Diablo Lake is held back by the 389ft Diablo Dam. A pullout off Hwy 20 known as the Diablo Dam Overlook provides incredible views…
North Cascades
Ross Lake stretches across 23 miles north toward the Canadian border. In keeping with the wild terrain, it's accessible only by trail or water. Part of…
North Cascades
The wildest of all Pacific Northwest wildernesses, the lightly trodden, 1000-sq-mile North Cascades National Park (inaugurated in 1968) has no major…
North Cascades
Just north of Concrete are two reservoirs formed by a pair of dams on the Baker River. Washington's largest colony of nesting osprey is found at Lake…
North Cascades
Buckner Orchard is one of the Stehekin area's oldest homesteads and makes for a refreshing walk; pick up a self-guided-tour brochure near the historic…
North Cascade Smokejumper Base
North Cascades
Smoke jumping is a method of firefighting that involves parachuting out of a plane into a rural area to tackle a forest fire before it gets out of control…
North Cascades
It's hard to differentiate the reconstructed buildings in the museum from the rest of Winthrop, such is the town's eerie authenticity. However, the museum…
Guidebooks
Purchase our award-winning guidebooks
Get to the heart of North Cascades with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.