North Cascades National Park, Newhalem, Washington, USA

Wild, beautiful and luxuriant park with majestic mountains and adding an inhabitant and rustic feeling to it, making an overall combination of North Cascades National Park ( I've seen this weekend ) describing in one word - Stunning!! 

I have been to many places in US, but I have never seen such a magnificent and majestic views of North Cascades. Its approximately 2 hrs. from Seattle and almost bordering Canada approximately an hour or so.

I'm not sure why North Cascades National Park is one of the least visited parks in the Washington State. Its on Highway State Route 20 and this park has lots of developed campgrounds and trails. There is no entrance fee to North Cascades National Park. 

I meet few very friendly Rangers @ North Cascades National Park center, they said the visitor center is open throughout summer 9 am to 5 pm with all amenities available, including clean restrooms, drinking water fountains and a gift shop. My suggestion is to ask the Rangers about Newhalem and its history, it was quite interesting.

During our time at North Cascades National Park, we tried 2 trails which are Sterling Munro Trail and River Loop trail, since there were many great hikes, we couldn’t decide on which one to go since it was our first visit to this Park. So, these two were the smallest trails we tried among many others easy and challenging hikes. Probably next time when we go, we'll try another trails.

There are many trails with informative plaques in North Cascades National Park shown below. This park is so big one can spend months inside if interested in camping and it offers trails for every age with available time. 

Sterling Munro Trail:

Sterling Munro is the shortest and most accessible trail around 330 ft. located behind the North Cascades visitor center near Newhalem with a view of the precipitous Picket Mountains and also offers a glimpse of Mount Terror Glacier. This place steered us to the mystical trail of giant cedars it was surreal.

River Loop trail:

River Loop trail is another one which can be accessed behind North Cascades Visitor Center near the Newhalem Creek campground. Its a 1.9 mile loop through green forested lowland and a portion along the rushing Skagit River. The trail wasn't crowded at all and can be easily done with kids.

Newhalem Creek campground : 

Its a comfortable camping facility which has individual campsites or group sites forested with  native shrubs. Its private, closer to the Skagit river and a short walk from visitor center and other amenities like drinking water fountains, clean restrooms and paved roads. Its popular for people who have hobbies for fishing, Biking, Hiking. Heard bears inhabit this area, so caution must be taken before/ while camping.

However, there are some rules and regulations to follow, for camping. https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2021/08/newhalem-creek-campground-rules-and.html

We did some stops @ Washington Pass, Gorge Creek Overlook, Diablo Lake Overlook (https://sk-digilance.blogspot.com/2021/08/diablo-lake-overlook-rockport.html) on Highway State Route 20 which are truly spectacular. Totally worth our time!! (Link of these will be posted very soon)

One whole day is enough to visit North Cascades National Park and doing the short stops @ Highway State Route 20. We enjoyed the lighter crowds in all these places.

This is definitely worth a visit which offers a wide variety of landscaped mountains, forests, waterfalls, overlooks, beautiful lakes, wild life and perfect for hikers. Don't miss this beauty if you are in Washington!!

Stay Safe friends and Have fun exploring my Blog and if possible do visit these places whenever ur free…

Until my next article ….👋