Campsites at Lower Goodell Group Campground (2026 Guide)

The lower goodell group campground near milepost 119 on State Route 20 holds a specific niche in North Cascades National Park: it's one of the few developed group sites where RVs are welcome and you get a covered pavilion with your reservation. But that convenience comes with strings attached. The campground is only open late May through mid-September, and as of 2026, the SR 20 closure east of Colonial Creek means you can't approach from the Winthrop side at all. Here's what you need to know before booking this site for your group trip.

For a broader overview of the park's campgrounds and facilities, check the complete visitor guide. This guide focuses specifically on what makes this campground tick and how to navigate its quirks in 2026.

What Makes Lower Goodell Group Campground Different

Most group campgrounds in national parks offer little more than a clearing and a fire ring. Lower Goodell is notably more developed. Two group sites sit on the banks of Goodell Creek, each with five tent pads, a pavilion with picnic tables, and a fire grate. The pavilion alone makes this site a strong choice for groups that want shelter from rain (which North Cascades gets plenty of) or a communal cooking area that doesn't require everyone to huddle under individual tarps.

Site Details and Capacity

Each of the two sites accommodates up to 50 people and 20 vehicles. That's a hard cap, and park staff will enforce it. The tent pads are wooden platforms - they keep you off the ground but bring a ground pad because they can be uneven. RVs up to roughly 40 feet can fit, but there are no hookups. You're running on batteries and holding tanks. Vault toilets are on-site, and garbage service is provided. No potable water is available at the campground, so every drop of drinking, cooking, and washing water must come with you.

The creek is right there. It's a fast-moving glacial-fed stream, cold even in August. Not for swimming, but the sound covers road noise from SR 20 reasonably well.

Seasonal Availability and Hours

The official season runs from late May to mid-September. For 2026, the campground is closed from September 8, 2025 through May 20, 2026. After May 20, it's open all day, every day through the summer. The park does not operate this site in winter - no plowing, no services, and the gate is locked.

Reservations are required. You book through recreation.gov at a rate of $75.00 per site per night. That flat fee covers up to 50 people, making it one of the better group deals in the national park system. Call (877) 444-6777 if you can't book online.

Current Alerts and Conditions That Affect Your Trip (2026)

Nine active alerts apply to North Cascades as of May 2026. Several directly affect anyone staying at lower goodell group campground.

Road Closure That Changes Your Route

State Route 20 is closed at milepost 130 (Colonial Creek Campground) in both lanes. Diablo Lake Overlook is inaccessible beyond that point. Lower Goodell sits at milepost 119, west of the closure. You can reach the campground from Sedro-Woolley heading east, but you cannot drive through from Winthrop. If you're coming from eastern Washington, you're looking at a long detour via US 2 or I-90. Check the WSDOT real-time map for current conditions before you leave.

Peregrine Nesting Closures

From March 1 through July 15, 2026, Newhalem Crag East and Newhalem Crag West are closed to all public use. These climbing areas are near the campground but don't affect the campsites themselves. If your group planned to climb in Newhalem during those months, you'll need to pick different routes.

Other Alerts Worth Knowing

• Cascade River Road is closed to vehicles at milepost 20 (Eldorado). Foot and bike traffic only beyond that point. Do not block the gate.
• The Hozomeen gate at the US-Canada border remains closed. No vehicle or foot crossing.
• Fire closures are active - check the park's fire closures page before heading out.
• Flooding and landslides from December 2025 have caused lingering unsafe conditions and limited infrastructure in the Stehekin complex.
• Stehekin itself is prone to flash floods and debris flows, especially in post-fire terrain. Know the warning signs.
• Diablo Lake boat launch at Colonial Creek South is unusable for most powerboats due to silt. Expect to carry your boat.
• Vehicle break-ins along SR 20 are common. Remove valuables and electronics. Take the charging cords too - thieves know what they're looking for.

Rangers will tell you that the most overlooked alert is the break-in one. A smashed window ruins a trip fast.

Practical Tips for Booking and Staying

The $75 fee covers one night at one site. Reservations are competitive for summer weekends. Book as far in advance as recreation.gov allows - typically six months out. The park's cancellation policy is standard for recreation.gov, but confirm the specifics before you commit.

What to Bring (Because the Site Doesn't Provide It)

No potable water is the big one. For a group of 50 people, you need a lot. Estimate one gallon per person per day minimum. Figure two gallons if you're cooking. That's 50 to 100 gallons. Bring a portable water tank or multiple large jugs. There is no spigot on site.

Firewood is prohibited to gather in the park. You must bring your own or buy it from vendors outside the park. Marblemount has firewood for sale. Do not bring wood from more than 50 miles away to avoid spreading tree pests.

Vault toilets are maintained but basic. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. No showers.

Navigating the Approach

From the west: take SR 20 east from Sedro-Woolley. The campground entrance is at milepost 119, about 13 miles east of Marblemount. Marblemount is the last gas and supplies stop. Fill your tank there - there's nothing between Marblemount and the campground except forest.

From the east: you can't drive through. The closure at Colonial Creek stops traffic. Your approach must be from the west until WSDOT reopens the full highway.

For a full list of campground options in North Cascades, including dispersed sites and other group areas, see the all campgrounds page.

What the Park Website Doesn't Mention

Experienced visitors know that lower goodell group campground sits close to the highway. The road noise is audible, especially during the day. Night traffic thins out, but you're not deep in the backcountry. If your group wants total solitude, this isn't it.

The creek provides good white noise though. Sites are oriented toward the water, and the sound of Goodell Creek running over rocks masks most of the traffic. Early morning is your best bet for quiet - few cars before 7 AM.

Mosquitoes can be heavy in late May and June. Bring repellent and consider a head net. By August they thin out.

Cell service drops out at milepost 116, just before the campground. Don't count on making calls from the site. The nearest reliable signal is back in Marblemount.

Practical Takeaways

• Book early. The $75 flat fee makes this a steal for large groups. Sites fill fast for weekends in July and August.
• Bring all water. No potable water on site. Plan for at least one gallon per person per day.
• Check road closures. SR 20 is closed east of Colonial Creek. Approach from Sedro-Woolley only.
• Confirm fire restrictions. Fire bans can be in place during dry conditions. If fires are allowed, buy firewood outside the park.
• Secure your vehicle. Break-ins happen at trailheads and campgrounds along SR 20. Leave nothing visible.
• Pack for rain. North Cascades gets precipitation year-round. The pavilion helps, but bring dry bags and a rain fly for your tent anyway.

The campground is ideal for family reunions, scout groups, or any gathering where 20 to 50 people need a basecamp with minimal setup. The pavilion and tent pads make it feel more like a developed site than a primitive group area.

Final Thoughts

The lower goodell group campground fills a specific role: a group site with real amenities (pavilion, tent pads, vault toilets) that can handle RVs and large crowds, all for $75 a night. The catch is the seasonal window and the current road closures that restrict access to the west side of the park. For groups coming through Sedro-Woolley, it's convenient. For anyone hoping to use it as a midpoint between east and west, the closure forces a rethink.

Given that North Cascades remains less crowded than Olympic or Rainier, sites like this one offer a rare opportunity: a designated group campground that doesn't require a lottery or months of planning. Show up with your water, your firewood, and your group's patience for vault toilets, and you'll find it works exactly as advertised.

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