Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Washington

Hike through glacier-cut valleys and rugged, ice-capped mountains of the North Cascades! Gaze at and explore majestic Mt. Baker which beckons hikers from all over the country!

Right around the corner from Seattle, the landscape of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is dramatic and rugged, with mountain peaks over 10,000 feet high. The well-known Mt. Baker, still an active volcano, is 10,778 ft. tall and great for mountain adventures, with its Sherman Crater emitting steam and sulfur gases. The Skagit River flows cold and clear and is filled with spawning salmon during late summer, autumn and early winter, and bird watchers will enjoy the hundreds of bald eagles that migrate south to the Skagit River from Alaska and Canada during the winter to feed. Winter sport enthusiasts can enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in some of the best ski destinations in the northwest.

Those who want to extend their stay at the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest can enjoy more than 50 campgrounds, as well as picnic areas, scenic viewpoints, and water sport areas, and there are over 1,500 miles of hiking trails including portions of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. The climate varies dramatically within the forest, depending on season and elevation; from snow at higher elevations to huge masses of water-logged clouds to dry, more Sierra-like in climate in valley bottoms, so pack appropriately.

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is headquartered twelve miles north of Seattle in Mountlake Terrace with district offices in Sedro Woolley, Darrington, Skykomish, North Bend and Enumclaw.