Washington Cascades
Glaciers and subalpine meadows at Mount Rainier, steep peaks and backcountry trails in North Cascades, and a Bavarian-style town to stay in.
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The Washington Cascades are a mountain range in the Pacific Northwest, and most visitors come for two national parks. Mount Rainier National Park centers on a large volcano, with glaciers and subalpine meadows reached by a road that climbs high into the park. North Cascades National Park has sharp peaks, lakes and backcountry trails. Its main road, the North Cascades Highway, is usually closed in winter. Leavenworth, a small town on the east side of the range, is built in the style of a Bavarian village.
Choose this range for hiking and mountain driving. Summer and early fall are the main season, when most high trails are clear of snow, though snow can remain at higher elevations into July. Plan at least three days for one park and five or more to visit both, since they are several hours apart by car. Seattle is the usual point of arrival, and Leavenworth is about 2 hours away by car.
Washington Cascades in five
- Buy a Northwest Forest Pass for trailheadsMany national forest trailheads in the Cascades need a Northwest Forest Pass to park, sold as a day pass or an annual pass. Check the trailhead sign before you leave the car.
- Check pass conditions before you driveSnow and closures on the mountain passes change through the winter, and the North Cascades Highway is usually closed in the cold months. Read WSDOT's pass reports on the day you travel.
- Download offline maps before the trailheadPhone signal drops out on many forest roads and along the trails. Save offline maps in the city and carry a paper map of the forest roads as a backup.Phones and eSIM
- Rent a car for the trailheadsBuses reach the main towns but few trailheads, so a car is the practical way to reach the trails and passes.Getting around
- Buy a Discover Pass for state recreation landsWashington state parks and many state recreation lands require a Discover Pass for vehicle access. It is separate from the Northwest Forest Pass, so buy both if your route uses both.
Things to do in Washington Cascades
See all attractions in Washington Cascades
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver nationals; most others need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected: 15 to 20% at restaurants and bars
- Time
- UTC-8 Pacific Time, UTC-7 with daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow, passes closed
- FebruarySnow, ski season
- MarchSnowpack, cold
- AprilWet, passes thaw
- MayTrails thawing
- JuneWildflowers, long days
- JulyDry, high trails
- AugustDry, smoke risk
- SeptemberDry, autumn
- OctoberLarch gold
- NovemberRain, first snow
- DecemberSnow, cold
Right now in Washington Cascades
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 9%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 9%
Washington Cascades
01:59 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today4°-5°9%Monday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Tue3°-1°26%Tuesday: Snow. High 3°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Wed4°-3°88%Wednesday: Snow. High 4°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Thu1°-5°88%Thursday: Snow. High 1°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri2°-4°71%Friday: Snow. High 2°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sat7°-1°49%Saturday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sun2°-3°56%Sunday: Rain. High 2°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 56%.
Updated 12:33 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Leavenworthabout 2 hours by carA Bavarian-style village in the mountains, an easy day from the city.Read the guide
- Snoqualmie Fallsabout 45 min by carA tall waterfall on the way east, a short stop on a longer drive.Read the guide
- Stevens Passabout 1.5 hours by carA mountain pass with ski slopes in winter and hiking trails in summer.Read the guide
Before you go to Washington Cascades
Rules for Washington Cascades, checked
- Visa Waiver nationals need an approved ESTA before flying to the US, and most others need a visa. Check your status on the official CBP site before you book.Source
- Traction tires or chains are required on some signed mountain passes in winter. Check WSDOT pass reports before you drive over a pass.Source
- Store food and scented items sealed and out of reach at backcountry campsites, where bear food storage rules apply.
- Do not approach or feed wildlife. Rangers can issue fines in national parks and forests for feeding animals.
Plan around Washington Cascades
State context, entry and regions for a Washington trip
Read the guideGetting around the mountainsBuses and car rental for the passes and towns
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA and what to check before you fly to the US
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, tipping and typical prices for the trip
Read the guideWhere to stayTowns and lodges near the trailheads and passes
Read the guideWashington Cascades FAQ
Is the Washington Cascades worth visiting?
Yes for hiking, lakes and mountain roads. The range is large, so pick one area, such as Leavenworth or the North Cascades, and cover that.
How do you get to the Cascades from Seattle?
By car. Interstate 90 crosses Snoqualmie Pass, about an hour from Seattle, and US 2 crosses Stevens Pass, about 1.5 hours away. Few buses reach the trailheads beyond the towns.
Do I need snow chains in the Cascades?
Check before any winter drive. Washington requires traction tires or chains on some signed passes in snow, so look at WSDOT's pass conditions the day you travel.
When is the best time to visit the Cascades?
July to October for most trails, when the passes are open and the high meadows are clear of snow. August can bring wildfire smoke, so check air quality before you go.
Is Leavenworth worth a day trip from Seattle?
Yes for the Bavarian-style village with shops and restaurants, about 2 hours by car. Stay the night if you want to hike the Icicle Creek trails above town.