North Cascades National Park covers approximately 200 000 hectares in northern Washington. The area was first established as a forest reserve in 1897, but efforts to designate it as a national park continued for decades. It was finally established as a national park in 1968.
North Cascades is home to 75 mammal species, including 18 carnivores such as coyotes, bobcats, lynx, cougars, and black bears. The park contains about 960 square kilometres of old-growth forest. Western hemlock, red cedar, and Douglas fir are common, and red cedars over 1000 years old and 60 metres tall can be found along Big Beaver Creek.
There are no vehicle-accessible campgrounds within the park. Overnight camping is considered backcountry camping, and campsites are carefully managed to prevent overcrowding. Many hiking trails take days to traverse, and the park is also a favourite destination for mountaineers. Forbidden Peak, with its pyramidal shape, is one of the Fifty Classic Climbs of North America.
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