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North Cascade Loop: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

Last updated: 2026-09-20

The 5-day version for July: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 12-day plan · best time to go.

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days

669 km

distance

14.5 h

driving

curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

~15.4 hours of daylight in July.
The strongest full-loop window, but wildfire, rockfall, snow and road works can still close SR 20 or park areas. Check WSDOT and North Cascades National Park before crossing the mountains.

Before you go · check live details

This is a planning draft. Check these changing details for your dates before booking or travelling.

Confirm that SR 20 and the planned park stops are open
Check WSDOT for the North Cascades Highway through Washington and Rainy passes, then check NPS road, trail and fire alerts. Do not use this full-loop plan if the through road or a required park stop is closed.
Check source ↗

Day 1 Seattle

3 curated stops

Transit: 0h33
Finish: ~16:30
Temperature: 13.1°C–23.2°C
Rainy days: ~3
Daylight: 15.4h

10:00

Seattle Art Museum seattleartmuseum.org read more map ↗

Discover diverse art from the Pacific Northwest and around the world.

120 min · Seattle · Suggested admission: $19.50 adult, $17.50 senior/military, $2.50 students/youth, children 12 and under free. Admission is free on first Thursday of the month

open: Mon–Tue closed; Wed and Fri–Sun 10:00–17:00; Thu 10:00–20:00

Optional museum collection. Verify holiday changes, admission and the full approach/return to your confirmed stay. The downtown collection is separate from the Asian Art Museum and Olympic Sculpture Park.

12:10

Museum of History and Industry mohai.org read more map ↗

Explore Seattle’s maritime and tech history through engaging exhibitions.

120 min · Seattle · $25 adults, $20 seniors, children under 14 free; free first Thursday of the month

open: Daily 10AM–5PM, Thursdays until 8PM

14:20

Space Needle spaceneedle.com read more map ↗

Take in panoramic views of the city, ocean, and snow-capped mountains at sunset.

50 min · Seattle · standard admission is $55 (discounts of up to $20 per ticket if reservation made at lease 1 day in advance)

open: Fri Sat 8:30AM-11:30PM, Sun 8:30AM-10:30PM, Mon-Thu 9AM-10:30PM

15:20

Elliott's Oyster House elliottsoysterhouse.com map ↗

Savory fresh oysters and a variety of seafood options await at this renowned seafood restaurant.

60 min · Seattle

open: Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM, happy hour Mon-Fri 3-6PM

Overnight here

e.g. The Edgewater · Ace Hotel

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Leavenworth

3 curated stops

Transit: 3h46
Finish: ~17:15
Temperature: 10.1°C–24.8°C
Rainy days: ~2
Daylight: 15.4h

12:05

Front Street Park cityofleavenworth.com map ↗

Relax with live music and riverside views.

60 min · Leavenworth

13:15

Nutcracker Museum nutcrackermuseum.com read more map ↗

Explore thousands of unique nutcracker designs.

90 min · Leavenworth · Adults $5, students (ages 6-16) $2, children under 5 free

open: Mon–Sat 11:00–17:00; Sun 11:00–16:30

Optional museum collection. Verify holiday changes, admission and the full approach/return to your confirmed stay. The museum advises arriving at least 30 minutes before closing; allow the full chosen visit before close.

15:00

Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery fws.gov read more map ↗

Watch salmon spawn and learn about their life cycle.

50 min · Leavenworth

open: Mon-Fri 8AM-4PM

16:05

The Gingerbread Factory gingerbreadfactory.com map ↗

Enjoy warm coffee with gingerbread cookies in a fairytale setting.

60 min · Leavenworth · Cookies $2.50-7, drinks $2-5, food $3-7

open: Daily 8AM-6PM

Overnight here

e.g. Der Ritterhof · Evergreen Inn

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Winthrop & Methow Valley

1 curated stop

Transit: 3h32
Finish: ~14:05
Temperature: 9.6°C–24.4°C
Rainy days: ~2
Daylight: 15.5h

12:20

Pearrygin Lake State Park parks.wa.gov read more

Enjoy lakeside activities and hiking trails around scenic Pearrygin Lake.

90 min · Winthrop & Methow Valley · Discover Pass required

open: 6:30AM-dusk

Overnight here

e.g. River Run Inn · Sun Mountain Lodge

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 North Cascades Highway

2 curated stops

Transit: 2h16
Finish: ~13:25
Temperature: 8.1°C–18.8°C
Rainy days: ~5
Daylight: 15.6h

10:00

Washington Pass Overlook read more map ↗

60 min · North Cascades Highway

12:15

Ross Lake Overlooks read more map ↗

50 min · North Cascades Highway

Overnight here

e.g. Colonial Creek North Campground · Colonial Creek South Campground

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 North Cascades Highway → Seattle

3 curated stops

Transit: 4h24
Finish: ~16:25
Temperature: 8.1°C–18.8°C
Rainy days: ~5
Daylight: 15.6h

09:10

Diablo Lake Overlook nps.gov map ↗

60 min · North Cascades Highway

10:45

Gorge Creek Overlook nps.gov map ↗

60 min · North Cascades Highway

12:00

Newhalem nps.gov read more

50 min · North Cascades Highway

🚗 Rental cars for this trip →

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

Sources (5)

Wikivoyage — Seattle/DowntownCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
Wikivoyage — Seattle/Queen Anne-South Lake UnionCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
Wikivoyage — Leavenworth (Washington)CC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
Wikivoyage — Winthrop (Washington)CC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
Wikivoyage — North Cascades National ParkCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)

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