Ouzel Lake in North Cascades National Park, Washington state

© Ethan Welt

Hidden gem of Washington turns 50. North Cascades National Park at 50

You’ve probably heard of Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park – but here’s a lesser-known destination to add to your national park bucket list. North Cascades National Park celebrates its 50th anniversary today. Located about 160 kilometres northeast of US city Seattle, and stretching up to the Canadian border, it’s not nearly as busy as the big-named parks, but that can be a good thing. Here you’ll find some of the most extensive systems of glaciers in the country – more than 300. It’s the glaciers that lend a lovely turquoise hue to freshwater lakes, like Ouzel Lake pictured here. The 202,342-hectare park also boasts spectacular wildlife, alpine forests, and waterfalls. See you there?