92% (116 reviews)
High-altitude beauty north of Mt. Rainier. From glaciers to river fishing, all is spectacular!
Popular ways to camp
Community favorites near Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Top public campgrounds in the park
Stay at a public campground in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds near Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
The best camping near Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest guide
Overview
About
Somehow it's only fitting that this national forest just south of the Canadian border hosts some of the most spectacular scenery in the state.
High elevations (5,000-10,000') mean you can count on snow even as late as June or July. Come prepared with warm socks and gloves, emergency gear and snow equipment. You'll need glacier-climbing gear to summit Mt. Baker.
If you want to take things a bit easier, the Shadow of the Sentinels walk is gentle and beautiful. Other easier hikes take you to Nooksack Falls and the Artist Ridge trail. The hike to Heather Meadows Picture Lake is so gorgeous, you'll see why "picture" is in its name.
Stay warm in a cabin along the Suiattle River Road, or choose from almost 30 different campgrounds scattered throughout the forest. Some offer RV hookups while others are more primitive, but all are beautifully maintained.
Look for amenities including a salmon fry area, natural springs, river fishing, and boat launches.
92%
116 ratings · 35 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
Mt Baker is one of my favorite places to explore in WA! If you want an easy, family-friendly location to visit, but still get to take in the scenery, I’d recommend Artist Point. There is a small trail that you can hike on along the mountain as well as glaciers that don’t melt during the summer!
L
Lindsay G.
6 reviews
Mixed feelings
· May 2025
With pets ·
Tinkham Campground
Pretty good campsite. Love how close it is to the river. The only downside is the traffic noise from I-90.
Jessica B.
2 reviews
Verlot is a small campground that is very close to some great local hikes (Lake 22 is an excellent hike). If you're planning on staying, make sure that you take a look at the campground map. Some of the sites are far less desirable than others (because they are along the road or have little privacy). The better sites are along side the river, but also allow only limited privacy.
M
Michael O.
16 reviews
Beautiful and sooo much fun!!!
B
Brenda C.
13 reviews
We absolutely love this campground and area. Super beautiful, no homes around and you are in nature!! One of our favorite views is when you swim out into the lake and turn around to see breathtaking Mt Baker. Stunning!!!
B
Brenda C.
13 reviews
Recommends
· July 2022
Very beautiful location, very well maintained and clean. No cell or power which keeps the trouble away from troublesome.
R
Ryan M.
2 years on Hipcamp
January 2022
The lake photo shown is clearly not at the Suiattle Guard Station, which is located on a hillside in the forest, away from the river.
John K.
3 years on Hipcamp
August 2020
How do you get a campsite at Verlot if you can't make a reservation?
Chrys D.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2019
Loved this small camground right on Baker Lake
C
Christine H.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· December 2018
If you go in late fall, around the lake you should keep an eye out for toads migrating. It's amazing!
Kaylee K.
7 years on Hipcamp
July 2018
This is my Happy Place! I discovered it one day while driving Chinook Pass from Yakima to Kitsap, and have been camping here ever since. It's quiet, shady and beautiful, and I hope it stays that way forever. Happy Camping!
Sylvia M.
6 years on Hipcamp
May 2018
Donna, do you remember which site this was? My kids would love to be on the water & splash around! :)
Susan D.
7 years on Hipcamp
Mixed feelings
· February 2018
The campground is in the valley under the highway making it very loud and not somewhere we'd likely go back to.
Jenna E.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2018
Tucked in the trees past several other campgrounds. Most sites don't have a view of the water, but there is a raft put in, that provides access to the water. There are a few quirky sites, one with an old shelter, some with very large trees, other's clinging to the hillside. Pit toilets and very quite.
Stephanie H.
7 years on Hipcamp
February 2018
The perfect place to escape from the city for the night. A series of lakes greets you after a quick hike through the woods. Can be done as a day hike, but I recommend bringing a tent and utilizing the raised tent platforms at the end of the lakes. Great little overnight trip!
Kacie G.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2018
Views for days.
Alex A.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2017
Group site B water views and room for 2 motorhomes and 6+ 4 person tents. 3 picnic tables, bathrooms. Walking distance to cove beach area and boat launch.
J
Jill W.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2017
Water and septic - no electric
Kulshan Campground operated by PSE
J
Jill W.
7 years on Hipcamp
August 2017
It's open again! Road up has been paved. First come until summer if 2018. All spots gone by Friday at 4pm, mid July. Loads of hiking from the campground. Dispersed forest camping along the road. Lovely campground.
Trissa D.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2017
There is some freeway noise and many people come over from the Seattle area for day use on the weekends. This isn't a camping area to "get away from it all."
Adrienne B.
8 years on Hipcamp
March 2017
This campsite is easy to get to. Very secluded and quiet. Most sites are right on the river. One of my favorites...
Donna G.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2017
Lots of beautiful dispersed campsites farther up the road!
L
Lizz F.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2017
Lovely free wild camping! Short drive to mountains
A
Annie G.
8 years on Hipcamp
August 2016
Stayed August 12-14, 2016, in the west campground. The campground is very secluded and the sites have a lot of privacy. The river noise is a nice background that blocks out any other neighbor noises. The flies were pretty bad during the afternoon and evening, so consider bringing a screened tent to cover the picnic table. Heed the warning about limited accessibility to anything larger than a small trailer. You need to bring your own water or a way to treat river water.
Jeff R.
8 years on Hipcamp
July 2016
Very convenient campground just off of I-90 on the banks of the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River. Friendly camp host, water is great and flush toilets with hand dryers are a bonus.
This campground is very popular and is worse for wear though. Site was strewn with trash when I arrived, cleaned up the best I could. Tent pad was uneven with poor drainage and created puddles around my tent with rainfall. Adjacent trail to Franklin Falls was completely overwhelmed with groups of day hikers, more trash, dog feces left on trail.
Verdict: Might be in better shape in the offseason, otherwise, trek further to less popular sites.
Mark F.
2 reviews
February 2016
From the camp ground there is a bit of freeway noise. I would prefer another campground if you have a choice. Down the road are some nice spots (keep going and you will see them) but there is a bit of trash strewn around because they are not kept up. A fair bit of burn piles as well.
David D.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
This is a great family campsite if you get your reservations in early. Good day hikes all around. It's far enough off the highway that only the dedicated make it here; about 45 minutes from Skykomish on a clear day. Set out early if you want to catch Blanca Lake. There are great swimming holes in Troublesome Creek - primed for the perfect dip on a hot August day.
Court C.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
Camped here mid-September. Some of the sites sit between the glacial White River and the lovely Silver Springs creek. Both were full of spawning pink salmon. Really fun to experience. Well located to access the gondola at Crystal Mountain Resort, the White River/Sunrise Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park and all manner of hiking, biking, horseback riding, etc. Spots are generally pretty good size. A little road noise from Hwy 410 but offset by the sounds of the river and creek.
Jane Ellen S.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
Part of the road from Index to here washed out in 2006, so you have to go through Skykomish to get here. There is pavement at first, then several miles of gravel road. There are two campground loops, on either side of the creek. The West loop feels more open, and has some rebuilt sites with tent pads right by the Skykomish river. The loop East of the creek is steep and more forested, a few sites (14-18) are right on/above the creek. Some are larger spots that you walk in a little ways to access. Many were reserved for the weekend, but the East loop was empty when I was there mid week. There is a little trail with bridges across Troublesome creek. Cool large rock slabs in the creek.
C
C C.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
Gold Basin 2015 Closure: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has closed this campground for the 2015 season pending a geological study. All other campgrounds along the Mtn. Loop Highway are unaffected. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please check back for updates for the 2016 season.
From the Recreation.gov reservation website
C
C C.
9 years on Hipcamp
Top national forests near Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Top points of interest near Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest