From Bellingham to the majestic peak of Mt. Baker, State Route 542 (otherwise known as the Mt. Baker Highway) winds through quiet farmlands, rolling wooded hills, and small communities including Nugents Corner, Deming, Kendall, Maple Falls, and Glacier. Following State Route 9 to the south are the towns of Van Zandt and Acme.
Collectively, these communities are known as the Mt. Baker Foothills, filled with an array of small locally-owned and unique businesses, including the historic North Fork Brewery, Crossroads Grocery, Wake n’ Bakery, and Snowater Resort. This region also provides river rafting, restaurants, lodging, and miles of scenic trails through National Forest lands.
The final 24 miles of the route are designated a National Forest Scenic Byway, from the quaint community of Glacier to Artist Point (elev. 5,140 feet). At milepost 52 is the Mt. Baker Ski Area, offering skiers and snowboarders some of the finest terrain and the best snow conditions in the west.
Call the Glacier Public Service Center, Memorial Day to October (360-599-2714), or Mt. Baker Ranger District year-round (360-856-5700). Visit Mt. Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest for more details.
The center at Glacier is jointly operated by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. Daily and seasonal Northwest Forest Passes are available for National Forest Trails.
Call toll-free 800-695-7623 for conditions on Mt. Baker Highway. Traction devices may be required.
Take advantage of all the snow activities, events, and sports during the winter at Mt. Baker. Make sure you #RecreateResponsibly, and enjoy playing in our epic amounts of snow (the most at any ski resort in America aside from Alyeska)!
Get to know beautiful Mt. Baker in the snow. Select from a dozen remarkable snow adventures that allow you to experience some of the most spectacular scenery in Washington State.
The towns comprising the Mount Baker Foothills are the last stop before the mountain action begins, but they're also destinations in themselves. Drive down Mosquito Lake Road, outside the town of Deming, to see Bald Eagles in the wintertime as they nest and fish near Welcome Bridge. Or drop into Wake N Bakery in the town of Glacier for a coffee, delicious pastry, or breakfast burrito. Deming and Maple Falls also your last stops to fill up on gas before heading up the mountain for hiking or skiing!
