Check out this 3-Day Itinerary for the North Cascades trip by thetravelingdans on Steller!

3-Day Itinerary for the North CascadesThe North Cascades National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the USA and we cannot understand why! This park and the nearby recreation areas are stunning & here is everything you can’t miss! This entire trip is dog-friendly!Authorsthetravelingdans
DestinationsNorth Cascades National ParkItinerary

Day 1 - Iconic Hike & Cute Towns

Maple Pass Loop
This might be the most iconic hike in the area & for good reason, it is stunning! This 6.5 mile loop takes you above Lake Ann and offers great views of the surrounding mountains. Hike this clockwise for better views and counterclockwise for a more gradual ascent.
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Mazama Store & Bakery
Mazama is a super cute town a half hour away from Maple Pass Loop. This store is FAMOUS for their fresh baguettes so don’t stop here and miss out on that! There are a bunch of other goodies here too like unique candy, wine, beverages, dips, and more.
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Mazama Public House, An OSB Place
If you are looking for a spot for dinner, this is a great option. The beer is great and the food is super well priced.
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Freestone Inn & Cabins
A stunning hotel in Mazama! This can be your basecamp for the whole trip (as the furthest stops are only an hour and a half away) or this can be a one night stay.
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Day 2 - Driving the North Cascades Scenic Byway

North Cascades Scenic Highway
Today, you are driving the super scenic North Cascades Scenic Highway! It is about an hour and a half drive from Mazama to the Visitor Center. We drove to the Visitor Center then worked our way back to Mazama but you can do this differently. The stops below are in order for the most part from west to east.
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North Cascades Visitor Center
We loved starting our day at the visitor center to get recommendations and look at all of the exhibits on the park.
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Trail of the Cedars
This short trail is near the visitor center. It is under a mile and the beginning of the trail goes over this beautiful river.
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Diablo Lake Vista Point
Diablo Lake is one of the most iconic points in the park - this overlook is a great way to see it!
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Thunder Knob Trailhead
To hike & see a great view of Diablo Lake, this 3.5 mile trail is a great option. It is fairly gradual and not too difficult, making it a short and moderate hike in the park.
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Gorge Overlook Trail
This waterfall can be a trickle during the fall months but if you visit in July, don’t miss this overlook! It is a super short walk from the parking area
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Washington Pass Vista Point
This is an incredible viewpoint of a stunning section of the highway.
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Ross Lake Resort
For a unique stay, check out Ross Lake Resort! Cabins on the river…need we say more?! If you are looking to splurge and stay centrally in the park, this is a great option.
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Day 3 - Choose Your Adventure

Cutthroat Pass
Depending on how much time you have, today you can choose between a few hikes. This hike is 10 miles, over 2,000 feet of elevation gain and follows the PCT! The views at the top rival Maple Pass but without the crowds!
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Blue Lake
We went on a smoky day sadly but on a clear day, especially in early October, this hike is stunning! The lake is surrounded by yellow larches, truly magical! This hike is only 4.5 miles - if you want something even shorter, check out Rainy Lake.
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Trip Highlight
Before the end of your trip, check out the nearby town of Winthrop! It is a super cute and underrated Western-style town just outside of the park area. There are lots of shops, places to eat, and more.
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