Reasons to Go

Reasons to Go

North Unit. The park's creek-cut northern wilderness, centered on snowy Mount Challenger, stretches north from Highway 20 over the Picket Range toward the Canadian border. It's an endless landscape of pine-topped peaks and ridges, hemmed in by sinewy Ross Lake to the east and the western slopes of the Mt. Baker Ski Area.

South Unit. Hike the South Unit's lake-filled mountain foothills in summer, where you'll take in a panorama of blue skies and flower-filled meadows. Waterfalls and wildlife are abundant here.

Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Drawing a thick line from British Columbia all the way down to the North cascades Scenic Highway, placid Ross Lake is edged with pretty bays that draw swimmers and boaters.

Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Ferries steam between small waterfront towns along this pristine waterway, while kayakers and hikers follow quiet trails along its edges. This is one of the Northwest's most popular summer escapes, where simple country life, nature-bound activities, and rustic accommodations all focus on the pleasures of the outdoors.