How to Get a Cascade Pass Permit

About Cascade Pass

Cascade Pass is North Cascades National Park's shortest route into big glaciated country, and Sahale Glacier Camp above it is the park's signature high camp. From the Cascade Pass Trailhead at 3,660 feet the park publishes 3.7 miles and 1,700 feet to the pass at 5,400, 5.9 miles and 3,940 feet to Sahale Glacier Camp at 7,600, and 9.0 miles to Cottonwood Camp. There is no camping at Cascade Pass, at Doubtful Lake or anywhere along the trail - only at designated camps. Sahale Glacier holds six sites of four people each with a composting toilet, no campfires, and a bear canister requirement. Pelton Basin has four sites, three of four people and one of twelve, with a composting toilet and a food storage box. Basin Creek and Johannesburg each hold three sites of four. The season is short and the park enforces it. Cascade Pass and Sahale Glacier campsites melt out in early July and become unreachable in late September when snow returns to high elevations, and reservations for this area are not allowed for trips starting before July 1 - though walk-up permits are available year round. The park lists the hazards for the area as steep snow where an ice axe may be needed, high water crossings at Doubtful Creek and Basin Creek early in the season, camping and route-finding in snow, and the Cascade River Road's early season closure. It says the Cascade Pass Trail may have steep snow sections requiring an ice axe for safe travel as late as July. Permits run on the park's camp-based system: $10 per person for adults 16 and over, youth free, plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee, with the 2026 early-access lottery open March 2 to March 13 (9:00 pm PT deadline), results March 20, awarded booking March 24 to April 21, and general on-sale April 29 at 7:00 am PT. Around 60% of the park's campsite inventory is reservable in advance and the remainder is walk-up, up to 24 hours ahead. One catch specific to this trailhead: while most North Cascades permits can now be issued by email, all permits for Cascade River Road trailheads - including Cascade Pass and Boston Basin - must be picked up in person in Marblemount. The road itself was listed open as of the park's July 3, 2026 update: paved to approximately mile 10, then gravel with some potholes and washboard to the end, not suitable for sedans or low clearance vehicles, and no RVs, large trailers, or vehicles over 22 feet allowed. It typically opens to the Cascade Pass parking lot by the end of June, or early July in heavy snow years. The park's July 9, 2026 field note had the trail to the pass in good shape, Pelton Basin melted out, and a few snow patches still on the Sahale Arm, recommending trekking poles.

Sahale Glacier Camp is the highest and most photographed camp in North Cascades National Park, and Cascade Pass below it is the shortest way any hiker gets into serious glaciated country in this range. The park calls the Cascade Pass area one of the most popular backcountry destinations in the park and says permits can be difficult to obtain during busy periods.