Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Recreational Activities

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Summer Recreation Activities

Camping & Picnicking

The Forest offers many wonderful places for camping and picnicking. Most campgrounds are fee campgrounds with campground hosts, water and garbage service. Approximately 60 percent of the sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Other campgrounds are available free of charge with no services and all sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check our campground listings for more information.

Cabin & Lookout Rentals

Spend the night away from it all! Up the Suiattle River valley 26 miles northeast of Darrington, a cabin awaits you. Once a forest guard station, the Suiattle Guard Station is now available for rental. Or if a wide view of the surrounding mountains is more to your liking, you can stay at the Evergreen Mountain Lookout located approximately 10 air miles northeast of the Skykomish Ranger Station.

Fishing

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest provides an endless number of fishing opportunities for the experienced and beginning angler. Beautiful rivers and streams, high elevation lakes, reservoirs, and small ponds offer just about every setting one could ask for to relax and fish, or just enjoy the magnificent scenery. Learn about the fishing opportunities in the forest »

Lookouts

Historic fire lookouts provide a unique view of the surrounding forest.

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikers can find a few choice trails and roads in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for their enjoyment. These are located mainly along the I-90 Corridor.

Hiking & Trails

The Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest features a 1,500-mile trail system that leads to some of the most attractive destinations in the northwest. About 585 miles of this system are within designated wilderness and many trails parallel foamy rivers which traverse the spectacular old growth forests which make the Pacific Northwest famous. Climbing out of the forests one enters beautiful subalpine meadows which are thick with wildflowers in midsummer, and dazzling shades of crimson, yellow and orange in the fall. Other trails lead to secluded subalpine lakes which reflect the high peaks, traverse high ridges offering views of snowy peaks, and cross mighty rivers which descend from the many glaciers. View our trail web page for trail conditions, description, and locations »

Scenic Drives

Enjoy traveling along one of the Scenic Byways that cross through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Scenic Hikes

Pick from a selection of the forest's most scenic trails and enjoy splendid views of the Cascade Mountains.

Special Places

The forest provides hundreds of accessible lakes, rivers and streams, and ample opportunities for hunting and fishing, river rafting, bird watching, mountain climbing, berry picking and general sightseeing. Find out more about these special places »

Winter Recreation Activities

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is no exception in providing winter recreation. Opportunities from the thrill of downhill skiing and snowmobiling to the quiet solitude of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available. Enjoy yourself but take time to proceed with caution and "be informed and prepared".

Cross-Country Skiing / Snowshoeing

Currently the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has 119 miles of designated cross-country ski trails in its forest trail inventory. Numerous other opportunities, however, for cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing are available throughout the forest. Snowshoeing is not allowed on groomed trails. Commercial and groomed cross-country ski trails are provided at the Summit at Snoqualmie (Summit East) and Stevens Pass Ski Areas. Details about cross-country skiing and snowshoeing »

Sno-Parks

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission provides Sno-Park areas for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, many of which are located on National Forest lands. Find more information and locations of Sno-Parks »

Snowmobiling

There are 168 miles of snowmobile trails in the Forest. Most areas are not maintained during winter months and parking is limited in areas outside of Sno-Park lots. More information about snowmobiling »

Downhill Skiing

Some of today’s best known ski areas were located in the thirties by the Forest Service recreation experts. National Forests offer some of the best skiing in the country. Over 137 ski areas, including more than 80% of the major areas in the West, are located on National Forest lands.

Four major downhill ski areas are administered by this Forest. Each ski area provides a variety of alpine skiing and snowboarding opportunities within a relatively short distance from Seattle.

The developed ski areas on this Forest are:

• The Summit at Snoqualmie - east of Seattle on Interstate 90
• Stevens Pass Ski Area - east of Skykomish on U.S. Highway 2
• Crystal Mountain Ski Area - southeast of Enumclaw on State Route 410
• Mt. Baker Ski Area - east of Bellingham on State Route 542

Winter Recreation Information

• Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center
• Weather Links 
• Ski Washington - Ski areas and conditions
• Pass Reports - Washington State Dept. of Transportation
• Snowmobile Trail Guide Online - Skagit County Parks and Recreation
• Sno-Park Information

USDA Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 06 December 2005 at 10:00:18 EST