Forget Cascades National Park, Canada's Breathtaking Mountain Park Across The Border Is A Year-Round Stunner

Washington's North Cascades National Park is nicknamed "The American Alps." This is due to its incredibly scenic landscape, which consists of a myriad of towering mountain peaks and more glaciers than any other national park in the Lower 48. While this sprawling park can offer adventure and stunning scenery, it's not for everyone or every season. Cascades is a true wilderness park, with limited road access, especially from November through May, and relatively few amenities. However, just across the border in Canada is a park that offers the same natural features of the northern Cascade Mountains, is open year-round, and boasts an array of amenities and facilities. So, if you are looking for a breathtaking mountain park with all-season access and activities, forget North Cascades National Park and visit EC Manning Provincial Park instead. 

In some ways, EC Manning Provincial Park can be considered somewhat of a continuum of Cascades National Park. Manning Park is adjacent to Skagit Valley Provincial Park, which directly borders North Cascades NP. It encompasses a portion of the same Cascades Mountain range and has a very similar geographical makeup. While the roads reaching portions of Manning Park, which covers just over 170,000 acres, are sometimes temporarily closed due to weather conditions, a large portion of the park is open and accessible year-round. Visitors here can enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational activities in every season. Additionally, it is only about a two-hour drive from either Vancouver or Bellingham, Washington, making it a great option for either day trips or overnight excursions.

Throughout much of spring and fall, as well as during the entirety of summer, visitors to EC Manning Provincial Park are able to hike on miles of frontcountry and backcountry trails. Some winter hikes are available as well, although during that time of year most of the trails are best traversed by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. These pathways range in distance and difficulty. With over three dozen trails, including an extension of the Pacific Crest Trail, there is a trail for hikers of all ages and experience levels. However, the conditions on and scenery surrounding trails change with the seasons.

Many of the trails, including some of the more popular paths such as the family-friendly Lightning Lake Loop, pass by lakes, rivers, or streams. Many of the higher-elevation lakes remain frozen until early summer, although the water bodies at lower elevations will begin thawing during spring. So, depending on the season, hikers may see placid frozen surfaces or sparkling clear water in the lakes. At the same time, during the colder periods, there may be icy patches on the trails, while during the thaw hikers should be prepared to trek through a bit of mud.

Along the trails, hikers will be able to observe a wide variety of wildlife. Animals ranging from marmots to moose and beavers to bears call the park home. Hundreds of bird species have also been spotted in the park. A good portion of these avians hang around throughout the year. However, there are also a number of migrating species that make seasonal appearances within the park.

Camping is another four-season activity available at EC Manning Provincial Park. With five frontcountry campgrounds and 10 backcountry campgrounds, there are plenty of overnight options throughout the year. Winter frontcountry camping options include Skyview Campground, BC Parks' first fully serviced campground, and Cambie Creek, a winter-only group campground. Each campground is surrounded by the majestic scenery of the Cascade Mountains and cloaked in evergreen forests.

While evergreens dominate much of the landscape, the flora of EC Manning Provincial Park is actually richly diverse and adds greatly to the scenery. Whether on the trail, in the campgrounds, or enjoying paddling or fishing on one of the lakes, visitors will be surrounded by an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors in the park. More than 100 different species of wildflowers are found here, adding splashes of vibrance to the landscape throughout spring and summer. As autumn approaches and the final blooms fade, rich fall foliage begins to accent the backdrop of abundant evergreens. Although Manning Park isn't one of the snowiest places on Earth, the landscape is blanketed in white powder each winter, creating yet another appealing aesthetic — as well as recreational opportunities.

Regardless of the time of year, getting to EC Manning Provincial Park is relatively simple. From Vancouver, it is just over 200 kilometers along BC-1 and BC-3, a wildly scenic drive through mountains. Along the way, it's worth stopping in Chilliwack, the "Soul of the Fraser Valley." Abbotsford International Airport (YXX), the closest commercial airport, is just under two hours away.