Driving time: 3 hours, 4 minutes. The best time to take a North Cascades National Park day trip from Seattle is in the summer or fall. If so, make sure you are prepared to hike in those conditions. Early Morning:Start your day absorbing all the park information at the North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem. Evening:Your stomach might be grumbling by this point, and if so, check out the charming and quaint town of Winthrop. Otherwise, you can rent a car or utilize a ride share service. Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. One of the best things to do in North Cascades National Park is hiking, as there are dozen of different trails from beginner to difficult. That place, framed by the Skagit and Sank . There you have it everything you need to know to plan a North Cascades day trip! All content and photography in this website may not be reproduced without permission. The fastest way to get from Seattle to North Cascades National Park is to bus via Bellingham which takes 5h 23m and costs $30-$70. The trail begins with a suspension bridge. If hiking in the winter season when snow is on the trail, consider bringing along, Hike length: 0.6 miles (~1 kilometer) round trip, Making the Most of Machu Picchu in Peru (7 Wonders of the World), Hiking and Horseback Riding to Rainbow Mountain in Peru, 5 Tips for Visiting the Most Popular Canyon in Iceland, Hiking Skyline Arch Trail in Arches National Park. How Far is North Cascades National Park from Seattle? In terms of difficulty, the hike was fairly easy. } Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. . , Take Photos at Washington Pass Overlook, One Day in North Cascades National Park Itinerary, PatagoniaCapilene Cool Daily Long-Sleeve Shirt, 22 Best Hikes in Washington: Where to Go Hiking in Washington, 3 Days in Vancouver: How to Plan the Perfect Vancouver Itinerary, 10 Scenic Road Trips from Seattle for the Ultimate Adventure, How to Plan the Ultimate Seattle to San Diego Road Trip (2023). Time, money, and the general busyness of life often restrict us to only one day. The scenic tour to Rainbow Falls are in the "heritage style" tour buses that feature ceiling windows for optimal viewing of the spectacular North Cascades scenery. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. We will be visiting Washington in April. As you may guess by its name, the lake is a majestic teal color with picture-perfect mountain reflections. Many people wonder how many days in North Cascades National Park they need, but one is enough to see a good majority of it. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Washington Pass Overlook includes a 0.25-mile round trip, which is very doable and very worth it. } The trail begins to form on the northwest side of the visitor center in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Youll want to add this to your Pacific Northwest road trip itinerary. Join our popular MOUNT BAKER DAY TOUR! box-shadow: 0 5px 11px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.18), 0 4px 15px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); Here you find out what to see in North Cascades National Park and get excited about your adventure. Pick-up & drop-off locations: Anacortes, La Conner, Burlington and Mount Vernon, FAQs: How do I get to your area? Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities. In 2022, this Adventure is an especially good alternative to the North Cascades National Park Day Tour due to the numerous road repair projects scheduled on the highway leading in and out of the National Park. #default-btn-0a97aa91a48a2112d6c3079165dea2b1:hover { This is another very short trail of only 300 feet that provides incredible views. March 25, 2022 at 4:32 pm. These are only a few reasons its one of my favorite parks in the country and why thousands of people flock here every year for a North Cascades day trip. North Cascades National Park is bigreally big. Enjoy your trip and try to make it a long day to see as much as possible. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. My name is Alaina, and I am excited to share my travel experiences with you all. I advise bringing extra food and beverages and having flexibility in your travel schedule to allow for such unforeseen circumstances which could potentially entail an overnight stay. With an estimated 744,955 residents, Seattle is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region of North America. North Cascades National Park: Free; Enchantments: Northwest Forest Pass: $30 annual or $5 per day; . Make yourself known to an official member of staff and/or call the national coronavirus helpline number on 800-232-4636. Arriving Port Townsend access Hwy 101 from State Route 20. } It is a modern facility with views of the Downtown Seattle skyline and can seat 69,000people. margin-right: 8px; Unfortunately you will need longer than just one day to complete the entire hike as it is over 19 hours long and will require you to camp along the trail. Do I have to wear a face mask on public transport in Seattle? This trail is a greatsummertime Washington hiketo go on during your North Cascades National Park day trip, as youll have an opportunity to dive into the icy waters if youre brave enough! margin-right: 0px; Visit the smallest host city of the World Expo Spokane and visit 50,000 Silver Dollar Collection Bar. While it is always better to spend more time at a national park, including North Cascades, to truly experience everything it has to offer, that is not always a possibility. Unlike other national parks in Washington, North Cascades is also set up to make it easy to drive through and youre able to stop at a few roadside attractions if you want to do that instead. They are open generally from late May or early June through late September or early October. It takes approximately 3h 40m to get from North Cascades National Park to Seattle, including transfers. Save this link to stay updated on COVID-19 restrictions, If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 800-232-4636. The last stop of the day is the Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk. One more important thing to note is there is often snow on the trails, especially the trails in the more northern and eastern regions of the park, in spring, fall, and winter. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Youll pick up interesting information if you spend some time touring thevisitor center. The hikes are sometimes intimidating, but you can try Thunder Knob Trail if you want to try an easier one, check this review @Mona | Exploring PNW #pnwonderland #washingtoncheck #lakediablo . City: round-trip one-way. It is located right next to the Skagit Information Center as well as the Skagit General Store. Learn how your comment data is processed. The gorge is visible from one side of the bridge while the waterfall is more visible from the other side. Last updated: 22 Feb 2023 What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in North Cascades National Park? WA Seattle Center is located just north of Belltown in the Uptown neighborhood. Bicycle Bicycles are a great way to leisurely explore the Stehekin Valley. Cascade River: 1974-1996 BOB KELLER. Many private companies offer activities and tours by permit in the North Cascades--including rafting, climbing, hiking and backpacking, and horse or llama packing trips. The distance between Seattle and North Cascades National Park is 97 miles. Rome2rio makes travelling from North Cascades National Park to Seattle easy. Before heading back to the car, I recommend crossing the street to the bridge to see the Gorge Creek Falls. That being said, all of the national parks are a similar distance from Seattle. National Park Hiking Tours; Unforgettable Experiences. This is a short yet beautiful walk at the very front of the park. There is. 98% Walk Score! Sedro-Woolley You have some beautiful hikes coming up. If hiking in the winter season when snow is on the trail, consider bringing along hiking poles and crampons for stability and safety. } Embark with a naturalist on a North Cascades tour through the Park's alpine meadows, across its rocky ridges, , Get ready for some gnarly hikes: 3 Most Difficult Hikes in Zion. They can let you know if there have been recent bear sightings, if the bugs are bad, or if a trail is closed so you can alter your North Cascades National Park itinerary if needed. Late Afternoon:If youre not feeling hiked-out during your day trip to North Cascades National Park, head onto the Blue Lake Trail. #default-btn-0a97aa91a48a2112d6c3079165dea2b1 > i { Youll be starting your journey at a high point, with breathtaking views to set the tone for your day. Additionally, my boyfriend found a fallen tree and walked out along the trunk. It is 5 miles east of I-5 approximately 90 minutes north of Seattle. shuttles? There are a few, very small regional airports around the park. Covering more than 500,000 acres, North Cascades National Park includes its namesake mountains at the northern end of the Cascade chain, virgin forests, countless alpine lakes and meadows, glaciers and more than 360 miles of wilderness hiking trails. My new ebook is now live, soclick hereto buy your copy! Getting to North Cascades National Park. (Seattle to NCNP: 107 miles, 2 hours). Best Time to Visit Cascades National Park, Where to Stay in North Cascades National Park, 9 Things to Do in North Cascades National Park Along Highway 20, 1. There is no public transit of any kind to the park. Dont miss out on stepping onto the bridge that spans the gorge; its the perfect photo opportunity. Everything you need to know to plan a remarkable day trip to North Cascades National Park. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. 2015-2023, Postcards to Seattle. Alternatively, you may use, North Cascades National Park Travel Forum, North Cascades National Park Vacation Rentals, North Cascades National Park Vacation Packages, Restaurants near North Cascades National Park, Things to Do in North Cascades National Park, North Cascades National Park Travel Guide. } Some of the most stunning hikes are in this area, with summer and fall incredibly gorgeous. Otherwise, make your way straight to the Washington Pass Overlook to enjoy some unique views. It is a very excellent tour, highly recommended., Included: Skagits top guide, transportation and fuel surcharge, Not included: lunch, taxes & fees, gratuity. In July 2013, it was the fastest-growing major city in the United States and remained in the top 5 in May 2015 with an annual growth rate of 2.1%. Whether you have one day in North Cascades National Park or want to spend multiple days exploring, here are some tips for exploring the park, North Cascades attractions to stop at, and a sample itinerary. Maple Loop Pass is absolutely worth the hike, to be surrounded by jaw-dropping views in every direction. Find all the transport options for your trip from Seattle to North Cascades National Park right here. The only way to do anything in North Cascades without a car would be to take a multi leg journey of buses/trains/planes to Chelan, then take the boat up Lake Chelan to Stehekin, and then NPS shuttles to various trailheads. Road blockages can take several hours to clear thus affecting access into/out of the Park. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your North Cascades National Park day trip. Check out this article for more information on why you should visit the park. Explore Liam Serencsics's magazine "Things To Do In Washington", followed by people on Flipboard. Skagit Guided Adventures, LLC is based in Anacortes, WA and is fully insured and permitted to operate in the North Cascades National Park, Mt. Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. Temperatures can rise into the 90s in the summer, so youll want to dress appropriately and bring a hat and sunscreen. Check out these must-see stops, hikes, and the best places to see in North Cascades National Park along the way. . BOLD & GOLD experiences take place in Mt Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, National Forests, Washington State Parks, and local green spaces. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Two Days in the North Cascades National Park, Washington Itinerary- The North Cascades is considered one of the least visited National Parks in the US. Over 30 years safely guiding Adventures in Nature for thousands of happy Adventurers! Grand Canyon National . This looks like a really nice itinerary!! Harbour Air Seaplanes offers flights from Coal Harbour Spb Airport to Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport. Last updated: July 24, 2017 If you want to extend your trip for another day, I recommend adding more hikes to your itinerary, as its the perfect way to see most of the area. If you're returning the same way you came, you'll drive to the end and then backtrack along the same route. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Impressions of the North Cascades Essays about a Northwest Landscape. It is located about two and a half hours south of the park. This one-day itinerary avoids all snow and thus begins at Diablo Lake Vista Point. Activities include backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, snowshoeing, fishing, yoga, art, music, and literature. It's a fairly remote place. Thank you for this itinerary! Very comprehensive and well written. See more stories about Seattle Things To Do, West Seattle, Pacific Northwest. stay for about 1 hour. This trail heads to spectacular views of Diablo Lake and the surrounding mountains. Interstate 90 ( I-90 ), designated as the American Veterans Memorial Highway, is a transcontinental Interstate Highway that runs from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachusetts. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. This might be longer than most want to drive after flying. The complex also includes the Event Center with the WaMu Theater, a parking garage, and a public plaza. However, we decided to hike only two miles (~3.2 kilometers) to the suspension bridge and back due to our time restrictions.