Please be aware of several closures and detours this fall while necessary roadwork will take place to improve the safety and experience for visitors:

================

Trailhead parking areas close in the North Cascades

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has temporarily closed several trailhead parking areas along Highway 20 near Washington and Rainy passes. The closures will be in place during parking lot and entry road repairs, pavement replacement and the repainting of parking lot stripes. Alternative parking near the trailheads is limited or nonexistent, and restrooms will be closed while the work is being done.

Washington Pass Overlook and the Bridge Creek Trailhead will be closed until Sept. 7.

The Rainy Pass Picnic Area (Heather and Maple Pass Trail) and Rainy Pass North Trailhead are closed until Sept. 25.

While trails will not be closed, access will be affected and in some instances unavailable.

Rainy Lake Trail No. 310, Heather Maple Pass Trail No. 740 and Lake Ann Trail No. 740.1 will have no ADA or general access during paving. Vegetation is dense along the edge of the trailhead, the area is extremely marshy and hikers are asked to choose other areas in which to recreate.

Through-hikers on PCT trail No. 2000 will be able to continue through the Rainy Pass area. There will be a detour to allow hikers to avoid the paving areas.

For more details (including alternative hiking options) click here

================

FROM WSDOT: Knapps Hill Tunnel to close September 8-24, 2025.

Knapps Hill Tunnel, located on US 97A six miles southwest of Chelan, will be closed for 17 days Sept. 8-24, as part of an illumination update project that has improved signal cabinets at several locations across north central Washington.

The tunnel will be closed 24 hours a day beginning Monday, Sept. 8, and is expected to start at 8 a.m. During the closure, two detours are available:

• For travel between Entiat and Chelan: US 97A to SR 971/Navarre Coulee Road-Lakeshore Drive to US 97A.
• For travel between Wenatchee and Chelan: US 97, connecting northbound with SR 150 at the Beebe bridge, to US 97A.

There are no weight restrictions in place on either detour.

For more details, click here

================

From Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: Trailhead Closures Announced at SR 20 Trailheads August 18-September 25

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest announces temporary trailhead closures on the Methow Valley Ranger District near Washington and Rainy Passes along State Route 20 between mileposts 157 and 162.   Select trailhead parking areas and restroom facilities will be fully closed to facilitate parking lot and entry road repairs to potholes, pavement replacement and repainting of parking lot stripes. The infrastructure repairs have been planned and funded through the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act.

For more details, click here 

================

Pomas Fire -- Entiat/Glacier Peak Wilderness

Alert Start Date: July 18th, 2025

Alert End Date: October 15th, 2025

A forest order to provide for public safety in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. The wilderness is closed along with associated trails, roads, and campgrounds due to the Pomas Fire. This order supersedes Order #06-17-25-05-14, dated June 30, 2025. This Order is effective July 18, 2025, through October 15, 2025, unless rescinded sooner.

Most of the Forest Service roads, trails and campgrounds are closed for the Glacier Peak Wilderness. 

To see a list of affected forest service areas, trails and campgrounds - click here.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) does an amazing job of keeping our roadways safe and well-maintained. They also are an essential partner in keeping us and our travelers informed about any accidents, closures, or other issues that can impact the normal flow of traffic. Be sure to check out your itinerary using the following resources before you head out!

Washington State Department of Transportation

• Travel Alerts-REAL TIME MAP

WSDOT Resources

Wildfire and Smoke Safety

Summer season often brings news of wildland and forest fires in the high country near the Cascade Loop. Very rarely travel is impacted by these fires, but occasionally a highway closure or flagger controlled traffic revisions are put in place to assure safe travel.  

If fires near the roadway threaten travel, we will post alerts on social media and on this page (find it easily as a 'Travel Alert' bar at the top of every page)

To follow fire activity, these public links are updated by the appropriate agencies regularly:

INCIWEB
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/

Northwest Large Fire Interactive Web Map
https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/firemap.php

Washington Smoke Blog
https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/p/national-interagency-fire-information.html

Chelan County Emergency Management
https://www.facebook.com/CCSOEM/

Okanogan County Emergency Management
https://www.facebook.com/Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management/

Air Quality Reports
https://enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/mobile/ 

Be Prepared for Smoke Season

No one can see the future, but you can plan the best vacation possible with travel alert resources on this page

==============================================================

Special thanks to Voortex Productions (Follow them on Facebook and Instagram)

and 

Jamie Petitto (Follow Jamie on Facebook and Instagram)

Video made possible in part with assistance from Okanogan County Tourism and Chelan County Tourism Hotel-Motel Tax funds

SR 20 North Cascades Highway spring reopening set for Tuesday, April 22, 2025

WINTHROP – State Route 20 North Cascades Highway will reopen between Ross Dam trailhead and Silver Star gate (milepost 134-171) on Tuesday, April 22 at 10 a.m. The pass closed for winter on Nov. 18, 2024.

For those planning to travel the North Cascades Highway, remember to always travel for conditions, turn on headlights, and stay alert for other drivers, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. Most United States Forest Service and National Park Service facilities remain closed at this time. There is no cell service through the mountain passes.

Due to the limited seasonal work window, travelers should also be prepared to encounter maintenance or project work on the route throughout the season. Check the real time travel map for current travel conditions.

View the historic Open and Closure dates here: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/roads-bridges/mountain-pass-closure-and-opening-dates