I've only stayed in one other hostel in my life (in Portland, two years ago, and it was so bad I'm pretty sure I didn't even write a review) and I vowed I never would again. But a couple of weeks ago I was taking a spontaneous trip up the North Cascades Highway and was looking for a place to stay in/near Winthrop. Literally the ONLY place with availability was the North Cascades Mountain Hostel. So, a bit reluctantly, I booked a bed. Imagine my surprise when I arrived. This place was fantastic. So clean and quiet, and just a block from Winthrop's cowboy-themed main street. I quickly found my bottom bunk and went to explore the town - but not before chatting with another hostel guest, who was from Germany and had just finished the PCT. So cool! After galavanting around the wooden sidewalks and having a beer at the Old Schoolhouse Brewery I returned to the hostel, grabbed a book of short stories from the bookshelf in the kitchen, and chit-chatted with the only other person sharing my room (a woman from Montana) until I drifted off to sleep. This place was clean and cute and I'd definitely stay there again. I was there during covid, so they are doing limited occupancy and masks are required. It was a great deal for $38/night, which I booked directly on their website. read more

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An excellent value! I had never stayed at a hiker hostel before, but if they are all like this one I sure will try more of them. The bunkhouse was clean and comfortable. It has its own trail for a short walk to downtown Winthrop. The bunk was surprisingly comfortable. It was fun sitting around hearing stories from hikers and cyclists going through the area. Host was gracious and helpful. read more

North Cascades Mountain Hostel - Everything well marked and neat, with some nice complementary stuff. - Hostels Near Me - Winthrop, Washington

I stayed at the mountain hostel for 2 nights midway through my trip in the PNW and can't say enough great things about it! As a solo female traveler/hiker, I'm pretty low maintenance and usually prefer to camp instead of paying for lodging, but sometimes a hot shower and human company are indispensable. In my case, I was mentally preparing for a few days of solitude on the trail and wanted somewhere clean, quiet, warm to sleep and trip plan. The hostel has incredibly comfy beds and lovely little details that other hostel managers might overlook: split tree trunk phone/book ledges on every bunk so you don't lose your stuff in the crevices/in the sheets, bendy arm lamps so you can read propped up in bed, and charge cords for every imaginable phone model in case you forget yours or need a last minute charge before heading out. I stayed in bunkroom 1 but loved reading the PNW guidebooks in the common areas, which are immaculate. A laundry room is located right off the main living room and while I didn't take advantage of the wash and dry services, it looked affordable for sure. The kitchen was spotless, and I awoke every morning to fresh coffee brewed by other guests or by the owners. A cute backyard area is perfect for reading, and it looked like they were putting down raised beds! Paul and Audrey are sweet and knowledge, and their pup, Biscuit, is simply adorable. I have such fond memories of my stay at the hostel and am sure I will be back the next time I am in the Cascades. NOTE: For hikers, Winthrop is on the East Side of the big peaks. Expect a 45 min-1 hour drive to major trailheads like Rainy Pass or Liberty Bell, or to the center of the park. If you're camping in the park, you'll need a Wilderness permit from a ranger station INSIDE the park, so plan accordingly. The National Park is surrounded by the Okenogan national forest, so you might need a separate trailhead parking permit which can be purchased at Twisp. Regardless, the North Cascades are stunning, less trafficked, and affordable (no park entry fee) as compared to Rainier and Olympic. If you have a few days to play in the PNW, I'd recommend the Cascades for sure. The most stunning mountain passes in the lower 48, that's for sure. read more

Staying at North Cascades Mountain Hostel felt like staying with old friends, and it was such an overwhelmingly positive experience that I'm already scheming up ways to go back and visit again. I left with my sides aching from laughter and my feet blistered from forging 18 mile trails with new hostel friends on treks that I never imagined possible on my own. I chose this place as a home base for doing some day hiking in the North Cascades based on yelp and tripadvisor reviews, and all of the 5 star ratings are spot on - I couldn't have been happier with my decision. The beds were super comfy for my aching bones, and even as a light sleeper I felt well rested here, and I never had to wait to use the shower. This is the perfect location for visiting some absolutely extraordinary regions of the North Cascades, and the Mazama Store is just a short drive away for the best pre-hike breakfast and coffee and top-notch trail snacks. As a solo female traveller relatively new to hostels in the US, I was a bit skeptical going into this simply because I wasn't sure what to expect, but I felt at ease as soon as I walked through the bicycle-spoked gate, and came out feeling like I had made lifelong friends. The owner Paul could not have been more accommodating, and I absolutely loved snuggling with the resident black lab "Biscuit". The whole layout of the hostel is really designed for people to easily connect with one another and I really appreciated that. I had done a lot of research on the N. Cascades going into this trip, overwhelmed at times by all the possibilities of trails to explore, and Paul affirmed my routes by offering additional pieces of helpful advice that only a local could really affirm. He had so many great insider tips on how to make the most of my time in the North Cascades and it was so very enriching having his "insiders insight" guiding me along. He was very encouraging of my excursions, and I think had it not been for his insider tips I may not have explored quite as much as I did! For example, doing Cutthroat pass the entire way through and hitching a ride back. As an East Coaster, I had a lot of skepticism about hitchhiking - but I ended up meeting a ton of badass women hiking solo on the trail that day, and the folks I ended up hitching back with I had actually met a day earlier doing Maple Pass. Trail magic :) He also had great suggestions on places to eat (Copper Glance fulfilled my grilled cheese craving for at least another year!!!) and other ways to spend time in the quirky, charming, adventurous, outdoorsy little town of Winthrop. I also had a ton of fun cooking "family dinners" with other folks from the hostel - it was such a great way to come together and get to know my fellow travelers and I really appreciated how open the other guests were to conversation and getting to know one another. I can't think of a single reason why anyone wouldn't want to book a stay at N. Cascades Mountain Hostel. Don't think twice. You'll have a total blast. I can't wait to go back!! read more

This place found a need and filled it! This is basically the end of the line for this area in the winter. A quaint and amazingly friendly outdoor town gem tucked at the base of the North Cascades range and not all that far from the Pacific Crest trail. This is a perfect spot to take some extra time to recoup if you're starting or finishing the hike or even enjoy a winter outing based out of Winthrop. Paul really loves back country skiing! Audrey and Paul are the most gracious and laid back hosts. Take the time to get to know them if you can but they will also offer you total privacy if that's your desire. Booking is easy and they are very flexible with check in and check out as long as you communicate. Accommodations are clean and cozy. Get a private space or one of the two bunk rooms. In the group bunks there are fans and AC or heat available to keep you comfy and mask white noise. Bring an eye mask with any hostel stay and ear plugs of course and you'll be happy. The private spaces are adorable and thoughtfully put together. Bathrooms are clean and not complicated to use. Town is LITERally just down the hill with a private path off the property to the road. You are IN town! And a charming one at that! Look up what they have to offer, book and enjoy an amazing niche of the NW few know is so awesome! read more

This place is everything and more than what you'd expect. The owners are hospitable, the bathrooms and bunks are clean, the layout with its open kitchen and tables outdoors is conducive for socializing and yet also, facilitates privacy. It's rare to find a hostel like this in the states. Having stayed in too-many-to-count hostels overseas, I was pleasantly charmed by this hostel's attention to details. They have fast WiFI (which is rare in Winthrop), free tea, communal olive oil, towels for showering, Dr. Bronners, lotion and toiletries in the bathrooms, and the bunks are equipped with outlets and reading lights. Simply put: this place is wonderful. read more

Just spent the weekend in Winthrop at the North Cascades Mountain Hostel. This was my second time staying - last summer I stayed in one of the cabins. This time I spent one evening in the bunk room with my daughter and the next night in the cabin with my friend and her daughter. It really feels like you are staying with friends and family - the owners and managers are great people. There is plenty of space to have privacy if you want it or to socialize if you are in the mood. There are 3 different bathrooms and showers that were made available to us. I loved the outdoor space too with a bqe and outdoor eating and sitting for large groups. Wireless was great as were the comfy beds and soft sheets. The kitchen is well stocked with what you need and there is a w/d. I also love the location - the back trail takes you right to the main 4 way stop in Winthrop. I don't usually stay at hostels, but I wouldn't say this is a traditional hostel experience. This is more like a hip airbnb place. read more

I just wrapped up my third stay here, and it is every bit as perfect as the first stay in Fall 2016. It's clean and comfortable with an incredibly relaxing atmosphere. The beds are comfortable, the bathrooms/kitchen accessible, they've thought of everything -- and they deliver, at an extremely affordable cost. I tell everyone I know about this place. Definitely a favorite. Awesome job Paul and crew!! read more

This place is a gem. Paul has done a great job setting up a beautiful site, rooms and cabins, and funky/artsy environment overlooking (yet a 5 min walk away) the town of Winthrop. The cabin was clean and modern yet rustic. A great base for adventures in the hills. Looking forward to coming back with the whole family next summer! read more

Boom! Paul and his hostel are both completely awesome. Super-affordable bunks, great indoor and outdoor space, and a real family feel make the Mountain Hostel a place you could spend a day or a week and not miss a beat. For adventurers, one entire wall of the kitchen is covered with high-detail topos of the Northern Washington zone; not to mention the good info you'll get from either Paul or another hosteller. Go to Winthrop, stay here, and drink at the Copper Glance. You'll be so glad you did. read more

Awesome place to stay, felt so comfortable, just like home. Awesome location. So glad I found this place and wish there were many more like them. Thanks Paul. read more

I made a reservation for a weekend where i was only going to be there for a saturday night, but it required a 2 night stay, but because it is such a good deal, i said i was happy to pay for both nights but would only be there saturday. I was only charged for the one night, and service was awesome. Such a gem. Will for sure return! read more

This hostel is the way to go. I had an extended stay and always felt at home. Its location is prime, the kitchen has everything you could ask for, it is always clean, coffee and tea is available daily, and the manager is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. I couldn't have asked for better hospitality and loved meeting all the interesting people who came through. I have stayed at other lodges in Winthrop and will never go back as long as a spot is available in the hostel. I highly recommend this place if you want a guaranteed fun, memorable, and comfortable stay in the valley. read more

Really nice hostel with a good location for visiting the north cascades. Staff was really friendly. Nice and clean rooms. The beds were prepared with clean sheets upon arrival which was a surprise for us being used of bringing our own sheets to hostels. read more