Glacier-fed rivers and large lakes define the water character of Mt. Baker National Recreation Area, a sprawling complex of campgrounds set within forested and open terrain near Concrete, Washington. The recreation area spans multiple distinct camping zones, ranging from drive-in sites with full RV hookups, including electric, water, and sewer connections, to hike-in and walk-in spots that put more distance between campers and the road. Snowmelt keeps river levels high well into summer, and the sound of moving water carries through much of the area.
Tent campers tend to find more seclusion in the walk-in sections, where sites sit far enough apart to feel genuinely removed from the RV loops. Hikers with summit ambitions should know that routes toward Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan involve steep, technical terrain. Reviewers note that June is a reasonable starting point for the camping season, as temperatures at elevation can stay cold well into spring. Park Butte Trailhead and Blue Lake BackCountry Campsites are among the nearby options for those looking to extend a trip into the surrounding backcountry.
Amenities vary by zone. Some areas have drinking water, showers, and a dump station, while at least one recent visitor reported pit toilets and no hookups at the hike-in spots, a reminder that conditions differ significantly across the recreation area. Reservations are available, pets are allowed, and campfires are permitted. Campers who want to verify what a specific zone provides before arriving will save themselves some surprises on the road in.
Description
The Mt. Baker National Recreation Area was created in conjunction with the 1984 Washington Wilderness Act to accommodate mixed recreation use in Schriebers Meadow. Hiking, horseback riding, camping and mountain climbing are popular summer activities. In winter snowmobilers can use the area when snow levels are more than two feet at Schriebers Meadow at Park Butte Trailhead. Snowmobile access is provided on Forest Service road 13 to Schriebers Meadow, into upper Rocky and upper Sulphur Creek, the upper Railroad Grade, Metcalfe Moraine and lower Easton Glacier. Large crevasses on the glaciated slopes of Mt. Baker may be hidden by snow bridges and not readily visible. Snowmobiles must stay within boundaries of the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area and outside of the adjacent Mt. Baker Wilderness. Check the Washington State Sno-Park for more information about snowmobiling. See also: Mt. Baker climbing information. [Image]: Map of Mt. Baker National Recreation Area General location map, not to scale.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMt. Baker National Recreation Area is located in Washington near Concrete
Public CampgroundCoordinates
48.70721257 N
121.81273767 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 36 min from Mount Vernon, WA
- 1 hr 48 min from Bellingham, WA
- 2 hrs 29 min from Seattle, WA
- 3 hrs 26 min from Bremerton, WA
