North Cascades National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

Explore the rugged beauty of North Cascades National Park with our captivating audio tour! Visit iconic spots like Diablo Lake and Ross Dam while trekking through snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes. Our expert guides share fascinating stories and facts about the park’s history, geology, and wildlife. Immerse yourself in local culture and gain insider knowledge on the forces that shaped these dramatic landscapes. Perfect for families, adventure seekers, and nature lovers, this tour offers an enriching and unforgettable experience. Download, plug in, and start your journey today!

1. 1

   North Cascades Visitor Center

   30 min

   The North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem features nature exhibits, park information, a gift shop, two short films, and an easy boardwalk offering a magnificient view of the Picket Range in the distance.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   30 min

   Plan to spend a couple of hours in Newhalem. There's so much to see and do in this historic Seattle City Light company town. From visiting the Skagit Information Center and Skagit General Store and taking photos of the historic Number 6 engine and Gorge Inn, to walking the lovely Trail of Cedars across the river. Take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking views from the suspension bridge.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   30 min

   From Newhalem, you can walk or drive up to the Gorge Powerhouse and cross another suspension bridge to access the Ladder Creek Falls Trail. The trail to the falls is lit every evening...a tradition that began in the early 1900s to showcase the wonders of electric power.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   15 min

   Enjoy two spectacular views in one stop. Gorge Lake Overlook features a stunning view of Gorge Dam and Gorge Lake framed by the rugged North Cascade Mountains. A short, paved trail leads to the overlook. You can return the way you came or continue the loop on a graveled trail back to the parking area. From the pedestrian walkway across the bridge, you can view Gorge Creek Falls--a 242-foot cascade that feeds into nearby Gorge Lake.

5. 5

   Thunder Knob Trail

   2 hours

   Colonial Creek Campground is the launching point for two popular trails--Thunder Knob and Thunder Creek. The 3.6 mile moderate hike up to Thunder Knob features two viewpoints above Diablo Lake with glimpses of the surrounding peaks both going and coming. The easy 4-mile hike along Thunder Creek meanders through old growth forests to a suspension bridge.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   15 min

   This is definitely one of the must-see stops along Highway 20! This overlook features breathtaking views of Diablo Lake with its stunning turquoise water and the majestic North Cascades towering above.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   1 hour

   The 1.5 mile roundtrip trail to Ross Dam offers hikers a unique opportunity to hike down to the Skagit Hydroelectric Project's largest dam and view this amazing engineering structure up close. From the top of the dam, you can see the southern end of Ross Lake stretching northward. The moderate trail has an elevation gain of 500 feet.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   30 min

   The Happy Creek Forest Walk is an easy and accessible .3 mile loop through old growth forest. Most of the trail is on a wooden boardwalk that winds through impressively tall trees along Happy Creek.

9. 9

   Stop 9

   5 min

   These two Ross Lake overlooks along the highway offer partial views of the southern end of this lake which is visible through the trees. Although Ross Lake is the largest of the three resevoirs along Highway 20, this is the only place you can view it from the road.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    1 hour

    Rainy Pass features a picnic area, restrooms, and two beautiful trails. The easy 2-mile round trip hike to Rainy Lake meanders through lush, mossy forests on a narrow, paved trail to a stunningly beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountains. For a more challenging hike with breathtaking panoramic views, consider the 6.5-mile Maple Pass Trail. This loop trail gains over 2,000 feet in elevation. It's one of the best places to view the stunning golden larches in the fall.

11. 11

    Blue Lake Trail

    2 hours

    The Blue Lake Trail is a moderately strenuous 4.5 mile climb with a 1000 foot elevation gain, but the payoff at the end is worth the burn. Trek through a beautiful subalpine forest to a crystal clear mountain lake surrounded by towering granite peaks and teeming with cutthroat trout.

12. 12

    Washington Pass Overlook

    30 min

    Another must-see stop on the North Cascades Highway is Washington Pass Overlook. Sitting at 5,500 feet, it's the road's highest point and the dividing line between eastern and western Washington. A short interpretive trail offers multiple views of the majestic North Cascades peaks including Liberty Bell Mountain, Early Winters Spires, and Kangaroo Ridge. Although partially paved, the trail is narrow and includes rock stairs.

13. 13

    Stop 13

    2 hours

    Moderately easy, this 3 mile roundtrip hike through a lovely forest leads to a pretty mountain lake set in a basin with spectacular views of Cutthroat Peak and Cutthroat Ridge.

• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Additional Starting Point: East of Mazama, WA
• Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
• The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
• Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.