Moquistang; one little mustang who does it all.

Did you know there are 27 backcountry stock sites in North Cascades National Park? Neither did I.

North Cascades NP boasts over 400 miles of trails, 300 glaciers, some of the most rugged and least visited terrain. You can find lakeside trails, meadows, high-elevation views, and wildlife in this underused park. 63 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail also passes through the park.

Photos by Erin Francis Hurley

These backcountry camps are not for the inexperienced and will require a pack horse due to the lack of grazing available near the camps. Camps are hiker/stock shared, and not all camps may accommodate the 12-person limit due to the terrain and natural landscape. For this reason please do your research, consult rangers for additional info and have a plan B in place.

Backcountry camps require both a reservation and a permit. Follow these steps to secure your campsite.

1. Book a backcountry site on recreation.gov
2. Watch the mandatory video on backcountry safety in the North Cascades.
3. Email the rangers at noca_wilderness@nps.gov no more than 3 days in advance of your trail entry date to obtain your permit. Rangers will review your trip itinerary. You may also do this in person.
4. Print your permit.
5. Carry a signed copy of the permit with you in the backcountry to show rangers if requested.

North Cascades rangers also highly recommend visiting the Wilderness Information Center in person prior to your trip to speak with a ranger.

Backcountry Stock Camps by Trail Area

GPX Info: You can route your trip by utilizing Gaia. Find them all on the map by saving this folder link.

One more tip: you can ride the Pacific Crest Trail to Bridge Creek Stock Camp, and continue on the town of Stehekin. There are no roads here, you can only boat, hike or ride in. Once there – Stehekin Valley Ranch has corrals for $40/night per horse with hay and grain included. Two night stay minimum so rent a room, eat at the bakery, rent kayaks and get a massage. Head back the same way you came. Bonus GPS track for this trip can be found below.

GPX File: WHT: Rainy Day Pass TH to Stehekin Valley Ranch via PCT

If you have additional info or photos of any North Cascades NP stock camp please feel free to share in comments or submit info via the Submit a Trail form! We will be cataloging backcountry stock sites with photos, gpx tracks and trail info soon.

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