North Cascades National Park's backcountry tent sites sit at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 7,600 feet, creating dramatically different camping conditions based on location. The park's diverse topography features 300+ glaciers, the highest concentration in the continental United States. Many tent camping sites near North Cascades require permits obtained through a lottery system or first-come basis, depending on the specific area and season.
What to do
Alpine hiking from camp: The Harts Pass Campground serves as a strategic base for Pacific Crest Trail access. "Starting spot for our PCT SOBO thru-hike in 2019. Woke up to snow on the summer solstice!" notes Christian N. The campground sits near the highest passable road in Washington state, with minimal shade due to previous fire damage.
Glacier spotting: From Junction Camp, campers can view Boston Glacier, currently the largest in North Cascades National Park. A camper notes: "This site is about 10 miles south of the Colonial Creek Campground, a great basecamp option for this trek, as you start the hike through old growth forest." The 10-mile hike gains significant elevation in the final stretch.
Wildlife watching: Rivers and creeks throughout the park serve as natural highways for birds and mammals. At Neve Camp, one visitor observed: "We watched all kinds of birds use the river as a freeway to head up or downstream. We saw many osprey, herons, a few formations of Canadian geese, a family of woodpeckers and more small birds."
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Many North Cascades backcountry campgrounds offer well-spaced sites. At Neve Camp, "there are several sites that are all secluded from each other" according to Hubbard G., who adds that "if you can get the site over the creek its pretty awesome." The camp requires only a 2.5-mile hike from Colonial Creek.
Communal cooking areas: Certain camps feature designated cooking zones with bear storage nearby. At Cottonwood Camp, one camper noted the setup "makes roughing it even easier" though "the bear boxes are a good ways from the cooking area." The camp includes multiple small sites away from the main area for those seeking privacy.
Natural water sources: Most tent sites require filtering water from nearby sources. Madison K. describes Cosho Camp: "The site itself is lovely and spacious: you're right on a beautiful river (great for water refills), there's a fire pit and grill, lots of soft flat ground for tents." This camp sits approximately 11 miles from the trailhead via Easy Pass Loop.
What you should know
Snow persistence: Higher elevation camps remain snow-covered well into summer. According to Cheryl B. at Pelton Basin: "Beautiful area, but no trail markers if there is snow on the ground. Once over cascade pass the trail is hard to find. Snow stays deep in Pelton Basin late into the summer."
Bear safety requirements: Most backcountry areas require either bear canisters or use of provided bear boxes. At Hidden Hand Backcountry, campers noted they "stayed at an equestrian friendly spot and there was a fire pit and nice flat area for our tent." Black bears frequent berry-rich areas throughout the park.
Difficult access roads: Some campgrounds require navigating challenging terrain. One visitor to Harts Pass warns: "The road to Hart's pass is carved into the side of a mountain and NOT for the faint of heart. You need good weather, 4W drive and high clearance. Yep, sedans might be able to do it but they shouldn't."
Tips for camping with families
Choose shorter access routes: Several family-friendly tent sites require minimal hiking distance. Neve Camp can be reached via "a short 2.5 mile hike from Colonial" according to reviews, making it more accessible for younger hikers while still providing the backcountry experience.
Plan for weather changes: Alpine conditions can shift rapidly, particularly at higher elevations. At Bridge Creek Campground, one camper noted: "The camp spots had the normal, picnic table and fire pit. I liked that the spots weren't super close to the next person. They were separated by trees which I liked."
Consider forest density: Thick forests characterize many lower-elevation sites, creating natural playgrounds. "It is thickly forested but we were still able to glimpse the icy blue creek through the trees here and there and there was so much more to see! We found snails, mushrooms, wild flowers, all kinds of edible wild berries."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Only a few designated sites accommodate vehicles near North Cascades tent camping areas. Sahale Glacier Camp and similar backcountry sites require hiking in all supplies, as noted by one visitor: "This is a hard hike. I saw people doing it as a day hike, and I was surprised." Nearby established campgrounds offer more vehicle-friendly alternatives.
Base camp strategy: RVers often use frontcountry campgrounds as staging areas for backcountry excursions. When accessing Junction Camp, many "start the hike through old growth forest" from established campgrounds with vehicle access, then backpack supplies to more remote tent sites.
Park at designated trailheads: Vehicle parking for extended backcountry trips requires specific permits during peak season. The road to Harts Pass Campground presents particular challenges as "if you bottom out on this road, you have a LONG walk to town" according to Ann P., who visited in early July when "only two campsites were habitable due to snow."
