Take it from someone who once bicycled up and over Washington Pass along State Route 20 (SR 20) in North Cascades National Park in Washington State: it’s challenging and rewarding to bike through the park, and a great way to see the park complex at a much slower pace than in the car at speeds up to 60 mph (96.6 kph). Permitted on all roads open to public vehicles, you’ll get your workout as some parts of the road are quite strenuous.
Bicycling is a great way to see the stunning scenery in the North Cascades National Park Complex / NPS file
Popular Cycling Routes
Below is a short description of these routes. For more detailed information, click on the road name.
North Cascades Highway (SR 20)
Opened in 1972, this was the last highway to be built across the Cascade Range in Washington State. There are 7,000 feet (2,133.6 m) of elevation gain (or loss, depending upon which way you tackle this highway. You’ll ride by various overlooks to Ross Lake, Diablo Lake and Diablo Dam, and Gorge Creek Falls. The North Cascades National Park Visitor Center is on the eastern side of the park, in between Newhalem and Marblemount. You’ll pass quite a bit of geologic scenery, including tall rock walls along which you should be cognizant of falling rocks. This is a popular highway and the posted speed is 60 mph (96.6 kph), so be mindful of traffic. There are also two tunnels between the towns of Newhalem and Diablo.
According to park staff:
The longest tunnel, closest to Newhalem, is fitted with a "BIKES IN TUNNEL" flashing light that can be turned on at either end. On sunny days, high contrast between sun-lit areas and the inside of the tunnel can make it difficult for drivers to see cyclists. Before entering the tunnel, turn on your headlight and taillight to become as visible as possible to other traffic. Inside the tunnels watch for rocks that have dislodged from the tunnel walls.
Although you cannot put your bikes on a rack and drive to Stehekin, you can take them with you on the ferry to this small, isolated community at the northern-most end of Lake Chelan. You can also rent bikes at Discovery Bikes located 0.25 mile (0.4 km) from the dock at Stehekin Landing. From there, you can ride along the Stehekin Valley Road. You can even attach your bikes to racks on the Stehekin Shuttle Bus, ride all the way to the end at High Bridge, and ride the mostly downhill 11-mile (17.7 km) route back toward Stehekin Landing (stopping first at Stehekin Pastry Company, one of the best bakeries around).
In addition to these two popular cycling routes, there are other roads within and near the park.
There are also two campgrounds, each with one bicycle-in campsite: one at Newhalem Creek Campground (site A3) and one at Colonial Creek south site 115. The sites are non-reservable, walk-up (first-come, first-served) sites until 8 pm. If the site is unoccupied after 8 pm, campers with vehicles may occupy this site for one (1) night only. Cyclists can also find many camping options in Stehekin.
