Here's Why You Should Plan An Adventure At Washington's Most Underrated Park
By Jessica Wick|Published April 19, 2018
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
Washingtonians flock to Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Park, and for good reason — they’re national treasures. But there’s another national park located in Northern Washington that, despite being one of the most visually stunning places on the planet, draws less than 35,000 visitors each year. To put that in perspective, the average attendance at a Seahawks home game is 68,976.
Need a few compelling reasons to visit this underrated gem? Here they are.
At more than 500,000 acres, this vast park is full of diverse beauty.
Historians believe that the human history in the area goes all the way back to the last glacial period, meaning the region has been continuously inhabited for the last 10,000 years.
Believe it or not, you'll find more spectacular wilderness here than you will at our other state parks.
The North Cascades National Park Service Complex preserves some of the finest mountain country on the continent, and that includes numerous trails for hikers of all skill levels.
Ross Lake is a large reservoir in the North Cascades. Ross Lake Resort has some beautiful waterfront cabins, but they book fast, so you can always pitch a tent nearby.
The North Cascade Range also happens to have the most expansive glacial system in the conterminous United States.
If you’re planning a visit to this pristine park this year, we recommend waiting until June or July — there are still a couple of winter road closures, including State Route 20 at the Ross Dam Trailhead. In the meantime, we recommend getting into shape with one of our beautiful spring hikes.
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