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Recreation Areas and Campground Database

North Cascades National Park

Water rushing with lush foliage surrounding

Less than three hours from Seattle, an alpine landscape beckons. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth's changing climate. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades.

RecAreaDirections


Access to North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is from the State Route 20 corridor. SR 20 (North Cascades Highway) connects with Interstate 5 (Exit 230) at Burlington. From the east, the highway intersects with US 97 at Okanogan and with SR 153 at Twisp. The State Department of Transportation closes a portion of the road between Ross Dam Trailhead and Lone Fir Campground in winter. The Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Stehekin) is accessible by ferry or plane from Chelan.

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Gorge Lake Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

On the bank of Gorge Lake, next to the cascading Stetattle Creek. Elevation 900'. 8 sites. Located just outside the community of Diablo, north of SR 20 at mile post 126. 20 miles (32 km) east of Marblemount, 67 miles (108 km) west of Winthrop.

Recreation

Boat launch on Gorge Lake. Hiking trails nearby. Fishing on Gorge Lake.

Facilities

Primitive camp with no water or services. Bring water and pack out all trash. Vault toilets. Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firewood is available outside the park.

Nearby Attractions

Diablo Lake and Ross Lake overlooks are within a short driving distance from the facility. The Stetattle Creek and Sourdough Mountain trails start nearby. Campers who wish to learn more about the area can attend interpretive programs at the North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem during peak season, or participate in a variety of tours.


Harlequin Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Campgrounds in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area are walk-in sites located in the Stehekin Valley. Harlequin Camp is located along the Stehekin River, 4.5 miles up the Stehekin Valley Road from Stehekin Landing and approximately 6.5 miles from High Bridge. 

Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane. There is some shared parking at the campground for a limited number of vehicles but all sites are considered walk-in.

Recreation

Visitors can access several trails from the campground area, such as the Stehekin River Trail, Company Creek Trail, and Rainbow Loop. Many of these trails also lead to other backcountry trails and the opportunity for longer wilderness backpacks. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry.  

Other trails along the Stehekin Valley Road can be reached by foot, bike, or shuttle bus. Visitors can boat, fish, and swim (although the water is a chilly 45 degrees) in Lake Chelan or the Stehekin River. Bears do inhabit the area, so care should be taken when hiking, picnicking, or camping.

Facilities

Harlequin has pit toilets and garbage containers, though all trash must be eventually barged downlake and visitors are encouraged to pack out everything they pack in. The campground has no running water; plan on boiling or filtering water from the Stehekin River or bringing what you need. Each campsite offers a picnic table and fires are allowed in designated fire pits. Most sites are large, with space to arrange multiple tents (no specific tent pads).

There are no roads or car access into Stehekin. Accessible by foot, boat or plane only. Visitors may take a passenger ferry or their own boat, which may be parked at the public docks in Stehekin with the purchase of a federal dock permit. (4.5 miles from Harlequin).

At the Stehekin Landing area, the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin has a small store with very limited groceries and a restaurant. Public showers and laundry facilities are located near the Landing, but not in the campground.  

Nearby Attractions

Stehekin is a gateway into the east side of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Many short to multi-day backpacking trips begin in the Stehekin area. Other attractions in the area are the historic Buckner Orchard, where visitors can pick apples in the fall, and Rainbow Falls, a 312-foot waterfall near the Stehekin Valley Road. 


Lakeview Campground (Stehekin) Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Campgrounds in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area are walk-in sites located in the Stehekin Valley at the head of Lake Chelan. Lakeview Campground is a five minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing.

Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane. 

There is a group shared space in Lakeview Camp reserved for backpackers heading out or coming back from a wilderness trip or PCT hikers with a valid PCTA permit. These sites need not be reserved separately; backpackers may camp for ONE NIGHT ONLY with a valid backpacking permit.

Recreation

Visitors can access several trails from near the campground, such as the Imus Trail, the Purple Creek Trail, and the Lakeshore Trail. Other trails further up the valley can be reached by foot, bike, or shuttle bus. Many of the trails from Stehekin provide the opportunity for longer wilderness backpacks. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry.  

Visitors can boat, fish, and swim (although the water is a chilly 45 degrees) in Lake Chelan. Bears do inhabit the area, so care should be taken when hiking, picnicking, or camping.

Facilities

At the Stehekin Landing area, the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin has a small store with very limited groceries and a restaurant. Public showers and laundry facilities are located near the Landing, though not in the campground.  

There are no roads or car access into Stehekin. Accessible by foot, boat or plane only. Visitors may take a passenger ferry or their own boat, which may be moored at the public docks in Stehekin with the purchase of a federal dock permit. Each campsite offers a picnic table but no fires are allowed. Lakeview offers drinking water, flush toilets, and garbage removal, but all waste must be eventually barged downlake and visitors are encouraged to pack out everything they pack in. 

Nearby Attractions

Stehekin is a gateway into the east side of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Many short to multi-day backpacking trips begin in the Stehekin area. Other attractions in the area are the historic Buckner Orchard, where visitors can pick apples in the fall, and Rainbow Falls, a 312-foot waterfall near the Stehekin Valley Road. 


Purple Point Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Campgrounds in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area are walk-in sites located in the Stehekin Valley at the head of Lake Chelan. Purple Point Campground is an approximatly eight minute walk from the boat dock at Stehekin Landing along a paved road. Most sites are located very near the road.

Stehekin is a remote community with limited facilities and is only accessible by foot, boat, or plane. 

Recreation

Visitors can access several trails from near the campground, such the Imus Trail, the Purple Creek Trail, and the Lakeshore Trail. Other trails trails further up the valley can be reached by via foot, bike, or shuttle bus. Many of the trails from Stehekin provide the opportunity for longer wilderness backpacks. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays in the backcountry.  

Visitors can boat, fish, and swim (although the water is a chilly 45 degrees) in Lake Chelan. Bears do inhabit the area, so care should be taken when hiking, picnicking, or camping.

Facilities

At the Stehekin Landing area, the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin has a small store with very limited groceries and a restaurant. Public showers and laundry facilities are located near the Landing, though not in the campground.  

There are no roads or car access into Stehekin. Accessible by foot, boat (ferry and private) or plane only. Visitors may take a passenger ferry or their own boat, which may be moored at the public docks in Stehekin with the purchase of a federal dock permit. Each campsite offers a picnic table. Fires are allowed in designated fire pits. Purple Point offers drinking water, flush toilets, and garbage removal, but all waste must be eventually barged downlake and visitors are encouraged to pack out everything they pack in. 

Nearby Attractions

Stehekin is a gateway into the east side of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Many short to multi-day backpacking trips begin in the Stehekin area. Other attractions in the area are the historic Buckner Orchard, where visitors can pick apples in the fall, and Rainbow Falls, a 312-foot waterfall near the Stehekin Valley Road.


Hozomeen Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Hozomeen Campground is located at the north end of Ross Lake and is open from late May through October. There is no camping fee, and all sites are first-come, first-served. Facilities include boat launches, pit toilets, potable water, picnic tables and fire grates. Guests must pack-out all trash. Campsites located in the Upper Loop are closed until further notice due to hazard trees.


NEWHALEM CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Newhalem Campground is a comfortable facility close to the town of Newhalem, Washington and the Skagit River. It is surrounded by forests that that can be explored through the area's many hiking trails. The campground has individual campsites as well as two group sites. It is private and secluded, yet the town, a visitor center and other amenities are only a short walk away.

Recreation

Visitors can walk to several of Newhalem's hiking trails from the facility, such as the River Loop Trail, Trail of the Cedars and Rock Shelter Trail. The creek and river are popular for fishing, though there is no boating access from the campground. Both grizzly and black bears inhabit the area, so caution must be taken while hiking, picnicking or camping.

Campers who wish to learn more about the area can attend interpretive programs, or participate in a variety of tours, which can be booked at the Skagit Information Center in town. Visitors can walk to town of Newhalem via a mile-long trail along the river. Those staying in the group campsites are also a half-mile away from the North Cascades Visitor Center.

Facilities

The campground is set across the road from the river; the group sites are adjacent to the main campground and closer to the river. The two campsites are separated from each other and forested, giving campers privacy yet still offering the convenience of a large facility close to town. There are a few family sites, which are for visitors with more than one or two cars. Within the family sites, there is extra parking available for RVs and several tent sites as well. Family sites are different than the group sites, which are on the group loop and can hold up to 30 people. The entire facility offers drinking water, flush toilets and paved roads.

Natural Features

The campground is forested with western redcedar, western hemlock, Douglas-fir, wild red huckleberries, and other native shrubs. Nearby is Newhalem Creek and the Skagit River. The river is the largest river that flows into the Puget Sound area and provides critical habitat for all species of Pacific salmon; there is a salmon-viewing station located near the group campsites. The river drains cold, clean glacial melt-water from the mountains of British Columbia and northern Washington. Bald eagles return to its shores every winter.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Newhalem is within a short walking distance from the campsites.


LOWER GOODELL GROUP CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Lower Goodell Group Campground is a convenient site on the banks of Goodell Creek in North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Don your walking shoes and hit the trails, explore the nearby community of Newhalem or relax next to the cascading creek. Both Upper and Lower Goodell Group Campgrounds are convenient hubs near visitor centers, hiking trails and town amenities.

Recreation

Nature abounds in the Goodell Gorge, where visitors can enjoy exploring the scenery, viewing wildlife and birding. Black bears inhabit the area, so caution must be taken while hiking, picnicking or camping. Campers can access hiking trails from within the facility. The creek and nearby Skagit River offer fishing for trout, salmon and steelhead. There is no boating or swimming at the site.

Facilities

The facility has a picnic shelter and pit toilet for visitors' convenience. No potable water. Water is available at the main Goodell Creek campground on the south side of State Route 20. The campground has two group sites, which can each comfortably fit 12 to 20 people each; the capacity is 50 per site. The nearest store is in Newhalem. 

Natural Features

The site lies among lush ancient forests of western redcedar, western hemlock, and Douglas-fir trees. The creek's headwaters begin in the surrounding mountains, pick up cold, clean glacial meltwater along the way and eventually empty into the Skagit River. The creek provides a sampling of the colorful crystalline rocks of the North Cascade Core, which formed deep underground and are now revealed in the rugged terrain of the North Cascade Range.

Nearby Attractions

Newhalem is within a short walking distance from the campsites. Campers can also walk to the North Cascades Visitor Center and the Skagit Information Center (in Newhalem).


UPPER GOODELL GROUP CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Upper Goodell Group Campground is a quiet, remote facility for tent camping on the banks of Goodell Creek in North Cascades National Park. The campground is the perfect place to relax while watching the rushing creek cascade over its rocky course.

The area is more remote and up a slightly steeper road than nearby Lower Goodell Group Campground. The elevation is 500' above sea level. Both Upper and Lower Goodell Group Campgrounds are convenient hubs for day trips to the visitor center, hiking trails and the nearby town of Newhalem.

Recreation

Nature abounds in the Goodell Gorge, where visitors enjoy exploring the scenery, viewing wildlife and birding. Black bears inhabit the area, so caution must be taken while hiking, picnicking or camping. Many miles of hiking trails are within a short drive. The creek and nearby Skagit River offer fishing for trout, salmon and steelhead. There is no boating or swimming at the site.

Facilities

The facility has a picnic shelter and pit toilet for visitors' convenience. No potable water. Water is available at the main Goodell Creek campground on the south side of State Route 20.

The campground has one group site, which can comfortably fit 12 to 20 people with a maximum capacity of 30.

Natural Features

The site lies among lush ancient forests of western redcedar, western hemlock and Douglas-fir trees. The creek's headwaters begin in the surrounding mountains, pick up cold, clean glacial meltwater along the way, and eventually empty into the Skagit River. The creek provides a sampling of the colorful crystalline rocks of the North Cascade Core, which formed deep underground and is now revealed in the rugged terrain of the North Cascade Range.

Nearby Attractions

The campground is a short drive or a long walk to the visitor center, and the nearest store is in Newhalem.


Goodell Creek Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Goodell Creek Campground is a small, yet comfortable facility close to the town of Newhalem, Washington along the Skagit River. It is surrounded by forests that that can be explored through the area's many hiking trails. The campground has individual campsites as well as two group sites. It is private and secluded, yet the town, a visitor center and other amenities are close by.

Recreation

Visitors can walk to several of Newhalem's hiking trails from the connecting trail to the Newhalem Campground, such as the River Loop Trail, Trail of the Cedars and Rock Shelter Trail. The creek and river are popular for fishing, boating access is available from the raft launch at the campground. Black bears inhabit the area, so caution must be taken while hiking, picnicking or camping.

Facilities

The campground is set along the Skagit River. The entire facility offers drinking water, vault toilets, and paved roads.

Natural Features

The campground is forested with western redcedar, western hemlock, Douglas-fir, wild red huckleberries, and other native shrubs. Nearby is Newhalem Creek and the Skagit River. The river is the largest river that flows into the Puget Sound area and provides critical habitat for all species of Pacific salmon. The river drains cold, clean glacial melt-water from the mountains of British Columbia and northern Washington. Bald eagles return to its shores every winter.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Newhalem is a short walk from the campsites.


Colonial Creek North Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Colonial Creek North Campground in North Cascades National Park is a remote, yet bustling campground nestled in old growth forest. Located on the north side of State Route 20 near mile marker 130, there are 41 campsites that are surrounded by forest and located on Diablo Lake.

Recreation

Visitors can access several trails from within the facility, such as Thunder Knob Trail and Thunder Creek Trail. Colonial Creek North Campground is also close to several trails along State Route 20. Visitors can go boating, fishing, and swimming (although the water is a chilly 43 degrees) on Diablo Lake. Bears do inhabit the area, so care should be taken when hiking, picnicking, or camping.

Facilities

The campground is located on the northern side of State Route 20. The entire facility offers drinking water, flush toilets, garbage removal and some paved parking spaces, but most sites have uneven gravel parking. Each campsite offers a picnic table and campfire ring.

Natural Features

Colonial Creek North Campground is nestled within a thick forest containing Douglas firs, western redcedars, and western hemlocks, providing an abundance of shade for its campsites. Like its counterpart on the south side of State Route 20, Colonial Creek North Campground is on the shores of Diablo Lake, offering some access to the water. In addition to the lake, Colonial Creek itself runs along the north side of the campground, providing nearby campers with the soothing sounds of gently flowing water.

Nearby Attractions

Diablo Lake and Ross Lake overlooks are within a short driving distance from the facility. Campers who wish to learn more about the area can attend interpretive programs at the North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem during peak season, or participate in a variety of tours.


Colonial Creek South Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Colonial Creek South Campground in North Cascades National Park is a remote, yet bustling campground nestled in old growth forest. Located on the south side of State Route 20 near mile marker 130, there are 94 campsites that are surrounded by forest and located on Diablo Lake.

Recreation

Visitors can access several trails from within the facility, such as Thunder Knob Trail and Thunder Creek Trail. Colonial Creek South Campground is also close to several trails along State Route 20. Visitors can also go boating, fishing, and swimming (although the water is a chilly 43 degrees) on Diablo Lake. Bears do inhabit the area, so care should be taken when hiking, picnicking, or camping.

Facilities

The campground is located on the southern side of State Route 20, with some campsites along the lakefront of Diablo Lake. The entire facility offers drinking water, flush toilets, garbage removal and some paved parking spaces, but most sites have uneven gravel parking. Each campsite offers a picnic table and campfire ring.

Nearby Attractions

Diablo Lake and Ross Lake overlooks are within a short driving distance from the facility. Campers who wish to learn more about the area can attend interpretive programs at the North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem during peak season, or participate in a variety of tours.


North Cascades Visitor Center Facility

Location: Across the Skagit River from the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) near milepost 120 and the town of Newhalem. Adjacent to Newhalem Creek Campground. Exhibits: Relief map of the park and surrounding area, exhibit room featuring multimedia exhibits on the park's natural and cultural history. Available Facilities: Theater featuring large format slide program and video presentation. Several short, accessible interpretive trails and restrooms. Information desk. Bookstore.


Golden West Visitor Center Facility

Visitor Center located short walk from the passenger ferry landing at Stehekin Landing inside what was the historic Golden West Lodge. Exhibits: Relief map and natural and cultural history of the area. Arts & Humanities of Stehekin operates the Golden West Gallery, featuring local art and crafts. Facilities: Information desk, bookstore. Audiovisual program. Summer ranger programs offered.


Forest Info center with HQ Administration Building Facility

The North Cascades National Park Service Complex Headquarters (Administrative Offices) is five miles east of I-5 in Burlington and 46 miles west of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex boundary.


Wilderness Information Center Facility

The Wilderness Information Center is the main backcountry permit office for North Cascades National Park and the adjacent Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. Backcountry permits are required for overnights in the park year-round and are available at an outdoor self-issue station when the center is closed during the winter season. Information desk. Sales area with books, maps, videos, and other items related to the national park and adjacent national forests.


North Cascades National Park Backcountry Permits Permit


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