Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest Guide
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Located on the west side of the Cascades, between the Canadian border and Mt. Rainier National Park, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest offers stunning glacier-covered peaks, picturesque mountain meadows, and old-growth forests. This forest is rich in history and provides endless outdoor opportunities, from hiking and camping to wildlife viewing and skiing, making it a top destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest offers several campgrounds for RV camping. Bayview Campground, located along Baker Lake, features picnic tables, campfire rings, and tent pads, though no hookups are available. Denny Creek Campground provides flush toilets and water faucets for a more comfortable stay. Horseshoe Cove Campground, situated by the western shore of Baker Lake, offers 38 campsites, including group sites, along with a swimming beach and boat launch. You can also look at renting an RV from RV Share.
Camping in Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest offers various options for RVers, tent campers, and those looking to experience the wilderness.
Campgrounds in Mount Baker-SnoqualmieNational Forest
Price changes per season
Private Campgrounds Near Kisatchie National Forest
Before planning your trip to the forest, check out the top campgrounds in Washington. You can look for campgrounds in nearby cities like Everett or Seattle. If you're camping near Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and need convenient RV waste disposal, check out the top RV dump stations.
Campgrounds by Lakes/Rivers for Fishing and Water Activities
Price changes per season
Price changes per season
Campgrounds with Toilets
RV Rentals Near Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest
Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest Hiking Trails
Explore Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest’s expansive network of trails, perfect for beginners to experienced hikers.
Easy Hikes for Beginners
Distance: 1.2 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.9 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.9 Miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Challenging Trails for Hikers
Distance: 7.6 Miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 6.2 Miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 7.9 Miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Lakeside Trails
Distance: 6.7 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5.9 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.9 Miles
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Bagley Lakes Trail
Head up to the Heather Meadows area to hike the breathtaking Bagley Lakes Trail. It runs along the side of the lake through a high-elevation wonderland, so everywhere you look, you'll see evergreens in varying shades of green, fields of wildflowers, the occasional waterfall and the impossibly blue Bagley lake. Fall brings a warm wash of color, and patches of winter snow remain well into the late spring and early summer. The trail is easy to follow, featuring steps and boardwalks, so it's a great option for families with small children. If you have the energy for a slightly longer loop, take the Chain Lakes Trail or the Wild Goose Trail back to the trailhead for a 2-mile round-trip hike.
Length: 1.5 miles round-trip
Intensity: Easy to Moderate
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Baker Lake Trail
If you're in search of a family hike, check out the Baker Lake Trail. It's relatively level and located just 1,000 feet above sea level, so you don't need to worry about the effects of elevation. The trail passes through stands of ancient, moss-covered trees; in the spring, wildflowers grow around the bases of the massive Douglas fir trees. For an easy 3-mile hike, turn around at Anderson Creek.
Length: 14.3 miles one-way
Intensity: Easy to Moderate
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Heliotrope Ridge Trail
Explore the Mt. Baker Wilderness on the Heliotrope Ridge Trail, which travels through old-growth forests and up glacial moraines. Head to Hiker's Overlook for a shorter hike and beautiful views, or continue on to Hogsback Camp to see the Coleman Glacier. This trail includes a variety of stream crossings; do not attempt to cross when the water is high.
Length: 4.6 miles round-trip
Intensity: Moderate to Difficult
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Sentinels Trail
Looking for a fast, easy hike? The Shadow of the Sentinels Trail is a great option for people of all abilities. It takes you through a stand of towering Douglas fir and cedar trees that have been growing for more than 500 years. On the forest floor, a bed of ferns and moss surround you with lush greenery. The trail consists of asphalt and boardwalks for easy navigation; it's open year-round.
Length: 1 mile round-trip
Intensity: Easy
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Canyon Ridge Trail
Hikers, mountain bikers and motorbikes are all welcome on the Canyon Ridge Trail. This route travels high into the mountains, gaining 2,000 feet of elevation. The highest points offer panoramic views of Mt. Baker, Tomyhoi Peak and Bearpaw Mountain. On clear days, you can see all the way north into Canada. Start from the East Damfino Lakes Trailhead or the West Trailhead. Brush up on your bear safety before you go because black bears live in the area.
Length: 10.3 miles one way
Intensity: Difficult
Activities in Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest offers a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors.
Picnicking: Enjoy the great outdoors with a relaxing picnic at one of the many campgrounds in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Most campgrounds feature picnic areas with tables and grills.
Fishing: The forest offers various fishing opportunities, including lake, pond, river, and stream fishing. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates fishing in these areas, and anglers over 16 must obtain a valid fishing license.
Bicycling: Cycling is a fantastic way to explore Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The trails range from technical to challenging. Riders can ride through stunning forests and rugged terrain while enjoying spectacular views of the North Cascades landscape.
Mountain Climbing: Known as the "American Alps," the North Cascades Mountains offer some of the best climbing opportunities when camping in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. With glaciated volcanoes and rugged terrain, this forest is a premier training ground for climbers.
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Fishing
Bring your fishing gear and join local anglers for the start of the sockeye salmon season at Baker Lake in early July. Cast from the shore or launch a canoe or motorboat from the ramps at Horseshoe Cove Campground, Shannon Creek Campground or Swift Creek Campground. If you're interested in trout fishing, hike up to Silver Lake and fish from the shore.
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Nature Watching
For some of the best wildlife-watching in the forest, boat the Skagit Wild and Scenic River to see elk drinking from the banks and bald eagles swooping down to snack on salmon. If you prefer to drive, you can also watch them from the overlooks along WA-20 near the town of Marblemount. Another place to see elk and deer is the Gold Creek Pond Interpretive Trail. For a quiet bird-watching experience, head to Forest Road 70 and check out the turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks and violet-green swallows that live in the trees.
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Geocaching
Geocaching is allowed in Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest as long as you stay outside of the 10 designated wilderness areas that make up nearly half the park. Check out the caches at Boulder Creek Campground and the Suntop Lookout.
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Stargazing
If you're camping in the forest, walk away from the campfire for beautiful views of the night sky. The best stargazing happens in the northern and eastern parts of the forest where the light pollution from Seattle is less visible.
How to get to Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest
Address: 2930 Wetmore Ave. Suite 3A, Everett, WA, 98201
Fee: Entry fee $0
By Car
From Seattle: Drive north on I-5 for about 1.5 hours to reach the forest’s southern entrance.
From Bellingham: Take the I-5 S and drive 115 miles for easy access to the eastern side of the forest.
By Air
The nearest airports are:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): About 2 hours from the forest’s main entrance, this airport offers numerous domestic and international flights.
Bellingham International Airport (BLI): This airport is about one hour from the forest and offers limited regional flights.
Seasonal Restrictions
Certain trails and campgrounds may be closed during winter due to snow or flooding. Before planning your visit to campgrounds near Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, check the "alerts & closures" page for the latest updates on trail conditions and closures.
Fees in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
There is no general entry fee for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, but specific activities, such as camping, parking, and use of recreation sites, may require a fee. The National Forest Day Pass ($5) or the Annual Pass ($30) can be purchased to access recreation areas within the forest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest
How many hiking trails does Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest have?
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has 1,500 miles of trails. There are trails for every level of hiker, from beginners to extreme hikers and climbers so you're sure to find something to suit you.
Is Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest open all year round?
Yes, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is open year-round. In summer, visitors can fish, hike, paddle, and swim. In winter, visitors can snowshoe or ski. There are activities in the forest for every season.
Is there a fee to get into Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest?
No, there is no fee to get into Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. There may be fees for using certain day-use areas. There may also be permits required for recreational activities like camping, cutting Christmas trees, and other activities.
Does Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest offer free camping sites?
Yes, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest offers free camping sites. Dispersed camping is allowed in the forest and does not cost. Campers must bring everything they need, as there are no amenities with dispersed camping. They must also pack everything out and leave no trace when they're done.
Can you kayak, canoe, or raft in Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest?
Yes, you can kayak and canoe in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. There is also whitewater rafting available in the forest. Several companies offer guides and equipment for an exciting rafting trip in the area.
