06/19/2026
The iconic North Cascades Highway, known as State Route 20, has officially reopened after the latest seasonal opening on record since nineteen seventy four. The road was severely damaged by flooding in December twenty twenty five and a rockslide in March twenty twenty six, forcing a months-long closure that impacted travelers, tourism businesses, and communities throughout Chelan and Okanogan counties in Washington State. Washington State Department of Transportation crews worked around the clock on two emergency repair projects and finished ahead of schedule, reopening the scenic highway on June fourteenth twenty twenty six. The North Cascades Highway connects North Cascades National Park to the Methow Valley and is a critical economic and travel corridor for the entire north central Washington region, including the greater Wenatchee Valley. If you've been wondering when the North Cascades Highway would open in twenty twenty six, the answer is now — and it's open in both directions. Amanda Dallman, your local Wenatchee Realtor.