Base Camp Learning and Lodging
Event Details
- Where
- Instructor
- Institute staff
- Infant (0-2)
- free
- Quadruple Accommodations
- Quadruple (Shoulder Season)
- Triple Accommodations
- Triple (Shoulder Season)
- Double Accommodations
- Double (Shoulder Season)
- Single Accommodations
- Single (Shoulder Season)
- Tuition Includes
What is Base Camp?
Base Camp is your opportunity to stay and play in the heart of North Cascades National Park for overnight learning adventures with meals and accommodations at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center. Come explore the American Alps while enjoying the comforts of our award-winning campus.
Each night of your stay includes:
Guests enjoy private rooms in our comfortable lodges that feature cozy lounges, wardrobes and desks and shared gender-specific bathrooms
THREE DELICIOUS MEALS
We offer three meals per day, showcasing fresh and flavorful foods with vegetarian options. We accommodate a wide range of dietary needs too! Breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style in the lakeside dining hall. Guests are also provided a sack lunch to take and eat later wherever your adventure takes you!
The evening dam walk is a participant-favorite Base Camp activity.
GUIDED OUTDOOR LEARNING ADVENTURES
Our educational staff offer seasonal explorations of the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades ecosystem. Naturalist-led activities might include
- big canoe voyages on Diablo Lake (weather dependent)
- Larch natural history presentations and viewing tips in October
- plant walks in the woods
- learning about old growth forest on the way to the local waterfall
- arts & crafts
- hiking local trails
- campfires & s’mores
- game nights and social hours in the lounges and the Wild Ginger Library
Institute naturalists offer a daily slate of engaging learning activities.
Pricing & Accommodations
- Private (single accommodations) - $250 per person
- 2 People (couple or double accommodations) - $177 per person
- 3 People (triple accommodations) -$130 per person
- 4 People (quadruple accommodations) -$104 per person
40th Anniversary Special - 40% off stays this Fall!
Autumn is a magical time in the North Cascades — waterfalls flowing, autumnal-tinged colors in the trees, and quiet views over Diablo Lake as the summer crowds have subsided. Spend a cozy weekend this October or November reading and playing board games in the Wild Ginger Library, wandering forest trails, slowing down with walking meditation, journaling, watching nature documentaries, and gathering around an evening campfire.
- Private (single accommodations) - $150 per person
- 2 People (couple or double accommodations) - $106 per person
- 3 People (triple accommodations) -$78 per person
- 4 People (quadruple accommodations) -$63.50 per person
Solo visitors must register for single accommodations as we don't room strangers together. Children under 3 are free. We encourage people to bring their own bedding and towels but have linens for an additional rental fee of $10 per person for the duration of your stay. Click here for our Cancellation Policy in case your plans change.
Our award-winning campus is nestled on the wooded shores of Diablo Lake.
Sample Base Camp Itinerary
No two Base Camp stays are exactly alike. Seasonal activities change throughout the year, but every stay combines comfortable lodging, delicious meals, guided naturalist experiences, and plenty of free time to discover the North Cascades at your own pace.
Day 1: Arrive & Settle In
3:00–5:00 PM – Check in at the main office, settle into your room, and explore the Environmental Learning Center at your own pace.
5:00 PM – Welcome orientation and introductions.
6:00 PM – Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner in the Dining Hall.
7:00–8:30 PM – Choose from an optional evening activity, such as a naturalist-led walk to Diablo Dam, a campfire, stargazing along Diablo Lake, wildlife skull investigations, or a documentary and discussion.
Day 2: Explore the North Cascades
8:00 AM – Breakfast in the Dining Hall (coffee and tea are available earlier).
9:00 AM – Pick up a brown-bag lunch before heading out for the day.
Morning Activities (9:00 AM–Noon) – Join an optional guided adventure such as a hike to Sourdough Creek Falls, a voyage across Diablo Lake in our big canoes (weather permitting), or a birding excursion.
1:00–4:00 PM – Return for optional afternoon activities including watercolor painting, a guided plant walk, or nature journaling.
Departure Day
10:00 AM – Check out of your room. Guests are welcome to remain on campus for the rest of the day and continue exploring.
Please note that afternoon activities are not offered on departure days.
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Make It Your Own!
Prefer to explore independently? We’ll gladly point you toward scenic drives, favorite hikes, waterfalls, viewpoints, and other North Cascades National Park highlights. Self-guided resources and recommendations are available throughout your stay, so you can create the experience that’s right for you.