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North Cascades National Park Photography Guide

National Park · Washington

  • Bortle 2
  • 64 photo spots
  • Clearest: July
Photo: NPS Photo/D.Dixon · Public domain (NPS)

North Cascades National Park is a National Park in Washington. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 64 photo locations inside or next to the park.

Less than three hours from Seattle, an alpine landscape beckons. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east. Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth's changing climate. Help steward the ecological heart of the Cascades.Description: National Park Service (public domain) — nps.gov
Photo spots
64
matched locations
Sky darkness
Bortle 2
Typical truly dark site
Clearest month
July
42% cloud
Milky Way peak
June
May–Jul
Nearest town
Darrington
58 km (36 mi)

Light at North Cascades

Live
Sunrise
7:33 AM
Sunset
6:07 PM
Golden hour AM
7:14 AM – 8:17 AM
Golden hour PM
5:23 PM – 6:27 PM
Blue hour AM
7:01 AM – 7:14 AM
Blue hour PM
6:27 PM – 6:39 PM
Full darkness
7:52 PM – 5:50 AM
Moon
Waxing Gibbous · 71%
Moonrise / set
3:53 PM / 1:05 AM
Day length
10h 34m
Sunrise azimuth
105°
Sunset azimuth
255°
000306091215182124
NightTwilightBlue hourGolden hourDaylight

Times in America/Los Angeles. Golden hour = sun −4° to +6°; blue hour = −6° to −4°.

Clouds at sunrise & sunset

NWS

Hourly sky cover from the National Weather Service. 20–60% cloud often gives the most colorful sunrises and sunsets.

Best photo spots in North Cascades

We matched 64 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to North Cascades. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.

Scenic Viewpoints (2)

Scenic Viewpoint
Gorge Creek Falls ViewpointWhatcom County · 380 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Ross Lake ViewpointWhatcom County · 528 m

Waterfalls (15)

Depot Creek FallsWaterfall
Depot Creek FallsWhatcom County · 1,481 m
Waterfall
Mount Shuksan WaterfallsWhatcom County
Waterfall
Sulphide Creek FallsWhatcom County
Waterfall
Blum Basin FallsSkagit County
Waterfall
Berdeen FallsSkagit County
Waterfall
Rainy Lake FallsOkanogan County
Waterfall
Colonial Creek FallsWhatcom County
Waterfall
Green Lake FallsSkagit County
Cascade Pass TrailWaterfall
Cascade Pass TrailWhatcom County
Waterfall
Bacon Peak FallsSkagit County
Waterfall
Roush Creek FallsWhatcom County
Johannesburg FallsWaterfall
Johannesburg FallsWhatcom County

Mountain Peaks (22)

Mount ShuksanMountain Peak
Mount ShuksanWhatcom County · 2,761 m
Buckner MountainMountain Peak
Buckner MountainChelan County · 2,771 m
Mount LoganMountain Peak
Mount LoganSkagit County · 2,724 m
Jack MountainMountain Peak
Jack MountainWhatcom County · 2,684 m
Mount TerrorMountain Peak
Mount TerrorWhatcom County · 2,448 m
Eldorado PeakMountain Peak
Eldorado PeakSkagit County · 2,701 m
Mount DespairMountain Peak
Mount DespairWhatcom County · 1,976 m
Mount RedoubtMountain Peak
Mount RedoubtWhatcom County · 2,689 m
Mount SpickardMountain Peak
Mount SpickardWhatcom County · 2,734 m
Sourdough MountainMountain Peak
Sourdough MountainWhatcom County · 1,863 m
Black PeakMountain Peak
Black PeakChelan County · 2,719 m
Forbidden PeakMountain Peak
Forbidden PeakSkagit County · 2,631 m

Lakes (4)

Ross LakeLake
Ross LakeWhatcom County
Hidden LakeLake
Hidden LakeSkagit County · 1,749 m
Diablo LakeLake
Diablo LakeWhatcom County
Dagger LakeLake
Dagger LakeChelan County · 1,680 m

Canyons (1)

Agnes Gorge TrailCanyon
Agnes Gorge TrailChelan County

Glaciers (15)

Sahale GlacierGlacier
Sahale GlacierChelan County
Quien Sabe GlacierGlacier
Quien Sabe GlacierSkagit County
McAllister GlacierGlacier
McAllister GlacierSkagit County
Eldorado GlacierGlacier
Eldorado GlacierSkagit County
Boston GlacierGlacier
Boston GlacierSkagit County
Challenger GlacierGlacier
Challenger GlacierWhatcom County
Inspiration GlacierGlacier
Inspiration GlacierSkagit County
Neve GlacierGlacier
Neve GlacierWhatcom County
Nohokomeen GlacierGlacier
Nohokomeen GlacierWhatcom County
Banded GlacierGlacier
Banded GlacierSkagit County
Davenport GlacierGlacier
Davenport GlacierChelan County
Douglas GlacierGlacier
Douglas GlacierChelan County

Mountain Passes (1)

Cascade PassMountain Pass
Cascade PassChelan County · 1,631 m

Fire Lookouts (3)

Copper Mountain Fire LookoutFire Lookout
Copper Mountain Fire LookoutWhatcom County
Sourdough Mountain LookoutFire Lookout
Sourdough Mountain LookoutWhatcom County
Hidden Lake Peak LookoutFire Lookout
Hidden Lake Peak LookoutSkagit County

Wilderness Areas (1)

Stephen Mather WildernessWilderness Area
Stephen Mather WildernessWhatcom County

Sunrise, sunset & golden hour

At North Cascades the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 52° (NE) at the June solstice and 126° (SE) in late December. Sunset moves from 308° (NW) in June to 234° (SW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 65° in summer but only 18° in winter.

NESW60°30°
June solsticeEquinoxesDecember solstice
Month (15th)SunriseGolden hour endsGolden hour startsSunsetSunset az.Daylight
January7:53 AM8:45 AM3:45 PM4:37 PM238°8h 44m
February7:14 AM7:59 AM4:41 PM5:26 PM252°10h 13m
March7:19 AM8:01 AM6:29 PM7:10 PM268°11h 51m
April6:15 AM6:57 AM7:14 PM7:56 PM286°13h 42m
May5:24 AM6:11 AM7:54 PM8:40 PM301°15h 15m
June5:02 AM5:52 AM8:20 PM9:10 PM308°16h 08m
July5:19 AM6:07 AM8:16 PM9:04 PM305°15h 45m
August5:59 AM6:43 AM7:38 PM8:22 PM293°14h 23m
September6:42 AM7:24 AM6:38 PM7:20 PM276°12h 37m
October7:26 AM8:09 AM5:34 PM6:17 PM258°10h 51m
November7:14 AM8:03 AM3:37 PM4:26 PM242°9h 12m
December7:52 AM8:47 AM3:15 PM4:10 PM235°8h 18m

Computed for the park's reference point (48.7117, -121.2069); large parks span several minutes of difference.

Milky Way & dark skies

From North Cascades, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from May through July. June gives the longest window (about 2.7 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 12° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 2 (typical truly dark site), which is excellent for astrophotography.

MonthCore visible (15th)HoursMax altitude
JanuaryNot visible in darkness——
FebruaryNot visible in darkness——
MarchNot visible in darkness——
April3:55 AM – 4:05 AM0.211°
May1:52 AM – 2:42 AM0.812°
June11:53 PM – 2:33 AM2.712°
July12:01 AM – 12:41 AM0.712°
August10:31 PM – 10:31 PM0.010°
SeptemberNot visible in darkness——
OctoberNot visible in darkness——
NovemberNot visible in darkness——
DecemberNot visible in darkness——

2 Estimated Bortle 2 — Typical truly dark site. The summer Milky Way shows rich structure; clouds look like black holes in the stars.

Weather & best time to visit

The best weather for visiting the North Cascades generally occurs between mid-June and late-September. Summer daytime temperatures average in the 70's F. Snow is off most trails by mid-July. Autumn and Spring are popular for color and wildlife. Storms are common: always be prepared for a few days of rain and wind. The east side of the Cascade Mountains (Lake Chelan National Recreation Area) is drier and warmer in the summer than the west side. Summer temperatures at Stehekin reach the 90's F.

Weather overview: National Park Service.

Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show July as the clearest month (about 42% average cloud cover) and November as the cloudiest (76%). August is the warmest month and December the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.

Average cloud cover (%)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Average high (°F)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Photography permits, drones & fees

Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.

Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.

Getting there

Access to North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area is from the State Route 20 corridor. SR 20 (North Cascades Highway) connects with Interstate 5 (Exit 230) at Burlington. From the east, the highway intersects with US 97 at Okanogan and with SR 153 at Twisp. The State Department of Transportation closes a portion of the road between Ross Dam Trailhead and Lone Fir Campground in winter. The Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Stehekin) is accessible by ferry or plane from Chelan.

Directions: National Park Service.

Activities

  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Boating
  • Motorized Boating
  • Boat Tour
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
  • Group Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Climbing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Guided Tours
  • Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
  • Hands-On
  • Citizen Science
  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Horse Trekking

Nearby parks

Ebey's Landing National Historical ReserveWA
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve122 km away · National Historical Reserve
San Juan Island National Historical ParkWA
San Juan Island National Historical Park138 km away · National Historical Park
WA
Wing Luke Museum Affiliated Area149 km away · Affiliated Area
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical ParkWA
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park149 km away · National Historical Park

FAQ

When is the best time to photograph North Cascades National Park?
July has the clearest skies on average; june is best for the milky way core. For light, plan around the first and last hour of sun. Spring and autumn usually bring softer light and fewer crowds; check the monthly table for sunrise and sunset times.
Do you need a photography permit in North Cascades?
Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Can you fly a drone in North Cascades?
Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Can you see the Milky Way in North Cascades?
Yes — from May to July, best in June. Estimated sky: Bortle 2.
What time is sunset in North Cascades?
On the 15th of October the sun sets at about 6:17 PM local time; see the live widget for today.