Accessibility

At North Cascades Institute, we strive to make our programs and facilities as accessible as possible for people of all ages and abilities. Throughout the year, we offer field classes, boat tours and overnight learning adventures that can accommodate guests with disabilities and varying accessibility needs.

NORTH CASCADES ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center hosts school and youth programs, family camps, boat tours, field classes, conferences and group retreats. The tree-sheltered campus features 16 buildings on Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park.

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Though some pathways on campus may become impassable in the winter, many of the facilities and pathways at Learning Center are ADA-accessible, including: 

  • Lodges with main entries, guest rooms and restrooms that are threshold-free
  • Classrooms, library, and learning labs with ramps 
  • Accessible dining hall with interior and exterior ramp access 
  • Nature trails and outdoor learning shelters accessible from flat or gently sloped pathways

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We also offer the use of a Wrangler PMV scooter with all-terrain tires to facilitate movement around the Learning Center. If you have special needs or questions about accommodations available during your stay, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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PROGRAMS 

If you’d like to get outside with us, the overview of Activity Levels for our Adult and Family Programs can help you decide what outdoor learning adventure is right for you. 

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Online classes are another great way for everyone to learn about the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades and the Skagit River watershed from the comfort of home, either live “as-they-happen” or on your own time.

SKAGIT TOURS

Experience the beauty of Diablo Lake and the North Cascades on a Skagit Tour from the comfort of the Alice Ross IV—a modern watercraft featuring heating and air conditioning, a 14-foot open aft deck to allow passengers to enjoy the tour from outside, and wheelchair-accessible boarding ramps, seating and on-board restroom. 

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If you have questions about the accessibility of our tours, please call (360) 854-2599 or send us an email.