Keep reading to find resources about regional transportation and other helpful information on how to visit Bellingham and Whatcom County safely and responsibly!
The final 2.7-mile section of Mount Baker Highway (SR 542), known as the road to Artist Point, is now closed for the winter season. The rest of the highway, up to milepost 54, remains open.
The road to Artist Point will reopen in late spring/early summer of 2024 after crews clear the snow and make needed repairs.
Traveling up to the Mount Baker Ski Area?
Find snow reports, traveling tips, and more helpful information on the resort's website.
Plan ahead before hitting the road and check the highway's road conditions provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Have more questions? Stop at the visitor center located right along the highway in Maple Falls.
Address: 7509 Mt Baker Hwy, Maple Falls, WA
Visitors should take caution and respect all signage when driving on the Mount Baker Highway, North Cascades Highway, and Chuckanut Drive.
Winding roads, blind turns, wildlife, and inclement weather can all make driving on these highways more dangerous throughout the seasons.
Part of the Cascade Loop, State Route 20 is one of the top scenic drives in the State of Washington, but it is not fully accessible year round.
Typically between November and May (dates are variable), a stretch of the highway closes at the Newhalem gate (milepost 121) on the west side to Early Winters gate (milepost 178) on the east side.
Check for closures and find real-time road alerts here.
If you need help on your drive or want to learn more during your visit, be sure to stop at one of the visitor centers along the highway or participate in a program with The North Cascade Institute.
With more than 500,000 acres, North Cascades National Park is one of the largest of three National Park Service units in Washington State.
Read more about what you can expect to find at the park that has been nicknamed the "American Alps" here.
Safety always comes first when adventuring in the outdoors.
Cascade Mountain Ascents is a mountain guiding collective with a mission to provide high-quality, customizable trips and industry-leading education in the North Cascades. They are dedicated to being stewards of our area's landscapes.
Take guided trips or courses on backcountry skiing, glacier mountaineering, avalanche hazard management, and more!
The State of Washington requires this pass for parking at state parks and some recreation lands. One-day passes are also available. Plan ahead and buy your Discover Pass now.
This pass is not required to enter North Cascades National Park!
Sites operated by the Forest Service require a day use fee, but an annual Northwest Forest Pass will cover recreation in both Washington and Oregon for an entire year.
Purchase an annual NW Forest Pass or buy and print a digital day pass now.
Visit our Getting Here page for more information or check directly with the resources below for specific updates or special advisories.
Take a look at the Washington State Department of Transportation website for local travel alerts.
The average temperature in Whatcom County varies based on altitude (for example, sea level in Blaine versus a higher elevation at the Mt. Baker ski area) and other factors. The average high in Bellingham in July is 72 degrees with a low of 53 degrees. In January, the high is around 43 degrees and the low is 31 degrees. On average, there are 71 sunny days, 93 partly sunny days, and 201 cloudy days.
Find up-to-date information on air quality in Bellingham and Whatcom County.
Check hours of operation and view a list of our locations here.
Do you have questions about the area? Planning a trip and want recommendations? Our staff is also available via email: info@bellingham.org
