Mount Baker Road Trip (Sights, Hikes, and Activities)
The Mount Baker Scenic Byway SR 542 starts in Bellingham, Washington, and goes up 5,100 feet of elevation ending at Artist Point. It is one of the most stunning highways in Washington – comparable to driving through Mount Rainier National Park. It’s a fantastic alternative, or addition to, visiting the North Cascades National Park, and is an ideal destination for hikers of all abilities.
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Is the Mount Baker Wilderness pet-friendly?
Mount Baker from Huntoon Point
When to visit
Summer and fall
Mid-July to mid-October
Highway SR 542 closes each year between November and early July at the Heather Meadows Visitor Center due to avalanche dangers. The road to Artist Point usually opens around the beginning of July. However, the nearby trails are covered with snow until mid-July or later. Therefore, road trips here are best done between mid-July and mid-October. During these months you’ll have the best weather and access to all the hiking trails.
This is what the highway loos like the week it opens each spring — visit later on in the summer if you’re wanting to hike!
Winter
December to early April
Throughout late fall and spring, the Mount Baker Scenic Highway closes for the season at the Heather Meadows Visitor Center. Here, the main attraction throughout winter is the Mt. Baker Ski Resort. The ski season varies with snowfall, but you can check past year’s snowfall statistics here. Visit during this time to explore Washington’s most beautiful ski resort.
Mount Shuksan from Artist Point
Getting there
The Bellingham (BLI) and Abbotsford (YXX) international airports are smaller, but only 50 minutes from the Mount Baker Wilderness. The nearest major international airport is the Vancouver airport (YVR), just under two hours away, and the Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA), which is just under a three-hour drive.
If you fly into Abbotsford or Vancouver, bring your passport with you. You will be crossing the American/Canadian border to reach the Mount Baker Wilderness.
Regardless of where you fly into, you’ll want your own car to experience the Mount Baker Wilderness.
Heather Meadows
Parking passes
Although there is no park entrance to the Mount Baker area, you’re required to purchase a National Forest Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass to recreate here. The National Forest Pass can be purchased online, or in person at the Glacier Public Service Center, or the Heather Meadows Visitor Center.
Mount Shuksan from Huntoon Point in the fall
Is the Mount Baker Wilderness pet-friendly?
Yes! Pets are allowed on-leash everywhere within the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Please follow all B.A.R.K. rules.
B: Bag poop
A: Always wear a leash
R: Respect wildlife
K: Know where to go
Best hikes
There are so many incredible hikes along the Mount Baker Scenic Highway. We’ve mentioned a few in the road trip itinerary section of this blog, but we’ve got our list of favorites in the area here.
Yellow Aster Butte
Best activities
Skiing
If you’re visiting in the winter season, skiing at Mount Baker is a must. It’s geared towards advanced riders, with steeper terrain and backcountry areas, but there are great options for beginner and intermediate skiers as well. Consider taking a shuttle to get reach the resort in winter.
Bellingham
Bellingham is where the start of the Mount Baker Scenic Highway begins, and it’s the largest town in the area. There are plenty of great restaurants here – a few have even made it onto our list of best milkshakes in Washington!
Consider going on a bioluminescent kayaking tour while you’re in the area, checking out Whatcom Falls, or taking another scenic cruise on Chuckanut Drive.
One-day Mount Baker road trip itinerary
Mileage: 52 miles
Drive time: 2 hours
Wake ‘N' Bakery
If you’re familiar with us, you know we’re not coffee drinkers, so if we recommend a bakery/cafe, you KNOW it will be good! Start your day right by stopping at the Wake ‘N’ Bakery before heading into the mountains. They have a great outdoor seating area and have gluten free options available!
Glacier Public Service Center
If you haven’t purchased an America the Beautiful Pass or the National Forest Pass in advance, this is where you can pick up a National Forest Pass in person. They also have great guidebooks, maps, and helpful rangers.
Nooksack Falls
Head to Nooksack Falls with a short drive on Northwest Forest Road 33. Expect a few potholes, but nothing extreme. Once you reach the parking area (right before the bridge), Nooksack Falls is a two-minute walk away.
Picture Lake
Picture Lake will be your next stop. It’s one of the most photographed lakes in North America. Park on the shoulder of the road here and find one of the many trails that lead down to the lake. Walk until you see the boardwalk and two viewpoints that branch off it. Look for blueberries along the trail if you’re visiting in late summer.
Heather Meadows Visitor Center
Stop here even if it’s to just walk to the edge of the parking lot and look down into the valley. If you’re feeling inspired, hike to the lakes below on the Fire and Ice Trail or the Bagley Lakes loop. If you’re game for a longer hike, do one of our favorite hikes – the Chain Lakes Loop. You can start it here at Heather Meadows or up further at Artist Point.
The Heather Meadows Visitor Center from the Fire and Ice Trail
Bagley Lakes
Artist Point
You’ll end your drive at Artist Point. It’s so beautiful here that locals have tailgate picnics right in the parking lot to watch sunset from one of the best spots in the PNW. From the parking lot you’ll be able to see Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker, and other surrounding peaks on a clear day.
Hiking to Huntoon Point is the most popular, and beautiful, hike here. It’s short, with little elevation gain, and is very well loved. Please stay on the trail and help keep this area beautiful. Going off trail tramples the fragile plants that only have a few months to grow every year.
Hiking Table Mountain is a great, lesser traveled, alternative to Huntoon Point. It’s a bit harder, with some steep drop-offs on part of the trail, but it offers a great area to explore and incredible views once you reach the “table” and the top of the mountain.
Huntoon Point
Leave no trace
The Mount Baker Wilderness is so well-traveled that it’s especially important to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. Please stay on designated trails to prevent trampling wildflowers – they only have a few months to grow every year. Once one person walks on them, others follow, and the flowers will likely not come back.
If you’re backpacking in this area, only camp in existing campsites. During the summer months on weekends, backcountry campsites are usually taken by Friday afternoon. Have backup campsites in mind or be willing to turn back if all campsites are taken.
Looking at Table Mountain on the Huntoon Point trail
What to pack
If you plan on hiking, check out what we pack for that here. Regardless, you’re going to want to bring layers with you. Whatever the temperature is at lower elevations, it will be different from what it is in the mountains. In the mountains, the weather can change very suddenly, and it’s often chilly in the mornings and evenings.
Here’s what we recommend packing for the summer months regardless of your activities:
Moisture-wicking T-shirt (men’s/women’s)
Moisture-wicking pants (men’s/women’s) or shorts (men’s/women’s)
Any shirt, pants, or shorts will do, but these are comfortable for long road trips and spontaneous hikes
These double as wind breakers
Any sweatshirt or warmer jacket will do
Hiking boots (men’s/women’s) and socks (men’s/women’s)
If you’re considering hiking, even shorter trails, bring hiking boots or at the very least a pair of closed toed shoes with good tread. Trails tend to be muddy and rocky here.
Park tips
Gas stations
The last gas station on the Mount Baker Highway is in Maple Falls, here. Fill up your car before heading up the mountain.
Cell service
Cell service is spotty after Maple Falls. We usually have a bit of service at Picture Lake and the Heather Meadows parking lot, but there is no service at Artist Point.
Food
After the town of Glacier, the only place to grab a meal is at the Heather Meadows Cafe. The menu and hours are limited. We recommend bringing water and snacks with you.
Where to go next
The North Cascades
The start of the North Cascades National Park is just over an hour's drive from Glacier, Washington. Highway 20 provides another scenic drive and an endless number of hiking options. Consider driving the Cascade Loop while you’re in the area.
Vancouver, BC
Glacier, Washington is 2.5 hours from the heart of Vancouver, BC. Bring your passport to enjoy a great city, large markets, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and Meghann’s favorite discovery – drinking chocolate!
San Juan Islands
From Glacier, you’re only a 1.5-hour drive away from a ferry to the San Juans! Reserve your spot on a ferry in advance or, just check out Deception State Park on your way down south if you’re headed to Seattle.
Olympic National Park
Drive two hours to Fort Casey to catch a ferry to the Olympic Peninsula. Visit here to see beautiful rainforests, dramatic beaches, and more mountains!
Seattle
Flying in and out of Seattle? You’ve got to check out Pike Place Market while you’re in town! Do our DIY food tour and discover all the market’s hidden gems.
Search the blog for more adventures! Try searching for topics such as “hiking”, “waterfalls”, or “Oregon”.