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Nature
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Facilities
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Water
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Established Camping

Horseshoe Cove Campground

Horseshoe Cove Campground, near Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. With its scenic views of Baker Lake and the surrounding mountains, it’s a great place to kick back and enjoy the great outdoors.

The campground offers a variety of sites for tents, RVs, and even glamping, making it suitable for different camping styles. Many visitors have praised the clean facilities, including flush toilets and drinking water, which make for a more comfortable stay. One camper noted, “This is a very clean campground,” highlighting the pride taken in maintaining the area.

For those who love water activities, the campground features a swimming beach and a boat ramp, perfect for kayaking or fishing. Families appreciate the shallow swim area roped off for kids, ensuring a safe and fun experience. As one reviewer mentioned, “The beach has a roped off shallow swim area that was great for the kids and the dog.”

If you’re up for some exploration, the nearby hiking trails, including access to the Pacific Crest Trail, offer stunning views and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer adventure, Horseshoe Cove Campground is a solid choice for a memorable outdoor experience.

Description

National Forest

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Overview

Horseshoe Cove Campground is nestled under a canopy of forest along the banks of Baker Lake. Located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest which stretches along the west side of the Cascade Mountains between the Canadian border and Mt. Rainier National Park, this area is one of the most spectacular in the country, showcasing glacier-covered peaks, wide mountain meadows and old-growth forests.

Recreation

In addition to being a prime location for boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking , hikers and backpackers are especially fortunate to have access to a variety of spectacular trails along the lake and in the nearby Mt. Baker National Recreation Area.. The Baker Lake and Baker River Trails are family friendly hikes that are a short drive from the campground. The Baker Lake trail starts on the south end of the lake in a stand of Douglas fir and travels 13 miles above the eastern shoreline of Baker Lake. Anderson Point with views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan is 2.5 miles from the trailheadand is a popular boat in camp, backpacking destination and lunch spot. The Baker River Trail starts at the north end of the lake and follows the river 2.25 miles upstream, through large old-growth into North Cascades National Park.

Natural Features

From the lake on a clear day visitors will see Mt. Baker, the most prominent feature of the Mt. Baker Wilderness. Rising to an elevation of 10,781 feet, the active volcano from which the forest takes its name is perpetually snow-capped and mantled with an extensive network of creeping glaciers. Mt. Baker's summit, Grant Peak, is actually a 1,300-foot-deep mound of ice, which hides a massive volcanic crater.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 932-0242.

Nearby Attractions

Hike in the mountains above the lake in the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area, or take some time to visit North Cascades National Park. This unique park is like no other place on earth. It features a deep blue lake surrounded by sheer, 2,000' cliffs, two picturesque islands and a violent volcanic past. Hiking trails, a visitor center and educational programs are available.

Charges & Cancellations

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

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Location

Horseshoe Cove Campground is located in Washington

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Seattle, go north on I-5 to Burlington. Take Exit 230 on State Highway 20. Go past the Mt. Baker Ranger District Office in Sedro-Woolley and follow State Route 20 east for 16 miles to milepost 82. Turn left (north) on the Baker Lake Highway (Forest Service Road 11). Continue 15.1miles. Turn right at the Horseshoe Cove Road junction. Head 2 miles down Horseshoe Cove Road, past Bayview Campground to the campground.

Coordinates

48.671943 N
121.676449 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Poor
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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15%

4.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2022

Great spot with variable site quality

We had sites 28 and 30 for Labor Day weekend. Site 30 had a nice flat tent pad but was overall smaller. Site 28 took a little more effort to set up our family’s tent on level ground, but was overall more spacious and so our group also used that site as our kitchen/campfire area. Both sites have a view of the lake down the campground loop and are relatively close to the vault toilets, which was fine except for the morning we left when wind off of the lake carried unpleasant smells our way. Overall the lake is beautiful, and there’s great access at this campground. Would absolutely recommend and/or go back, just be careful with site selection!

Site28, 30
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 23, 2020

Great place with kids!

Stayed here last week of August 2020, was absolutely wonderful! Stayed in the multi site #17, wonderful spot with a trail that led to the lake access. The beach has a roped of shallow swim area that was great for the kids and the dog. Lots of trees for the hammock. I thought there would have been a second table for the multi site but alas.

  • Review photo of Horseshoe Cove Campground by Caitlin , September 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Horseshoe Cove Campground by Caitlin , September 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Horseshoe Cove Campground by Caitlin , September 23, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 6, 2019

Where's the host?

Stayed there Thursday thru the labor day weekend and never saw the host. I was here the year before and the host were always driving around on the golf cart checking on everyone. I left briefly on Friday morning to pick up my friends and when I came back my hammock had been stolen. Apparently while I was gone the "host" stopped by and left me a note to tell me I hadn't paid even though I did. Even worse they just had a coffee can with an honor system for the firewood. If your gonna be a host you should actually be there to I don't know host. I was afraid to leave my campsite after my stuff got stolen so but other then not having an actual host it was ok

Reviewed May. 9, 2019

Excellent

This is a great campground. Deer stroll through camp. Clean bathrooms. Large beach for swimming. Great camping in the woods.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Horseshoe Cove Campground by jennifer M., May 9, 2019
Reviewed Sep. 29, 2016

Mt. Baker National Forests

Extra green and wooded with views of the snowcapped mountains with camping on the shores of the lake. Simple and pretty rustic campsites with swimming, fishing, and hiking trails nearby (the PCT). Kids spent the whole time along the shore with grandpa while we went hiking.

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2016

Beautiful sites

This is a very clean campground. Those responsible for it take a lot of pride in keeping the facility clean for all of us who enjoy camping. There are a ton of amenities here such as flush toilets, a boat ramp, drinking water, picnic areas, and handicap accessible sites. If you enjoy water activities such as kayaking or boating, this is the site for you. Mt. Baker is visible across the lake on a clear day and gives you a beautiful view!

The PCT is also accessible from the campground. If you aren't interested in doing the entire thing, you could always hike a section here and make a stay at Horseshoe Cove for an awesome adventure.

  • Review photo of Horseshoe Cove Campground by Carrie J., August 29, 2016
Reviewed May. 7, 2015

My Review

Horseshoe Cove Campground is on the western shores of Baker Lake. The campground has 39 sites but no hookups. It has a swimming beach and boat ramp, as well as flush toilets. Depending on weather conditions, the campground is open from mid-May until late summer. The campground’s easy access to the lake makes this a good choice for campers who want to canoe or kayak.

Sockeye Salmon are actually native to Baker Lake and Baker River since it's a tributary to the skagit river. This is a prime spot for fishing in the Northwest.

  • Review photo of Horseshoe Cove Campground by Kayko S., May 7, 2015
  • Review photo of Horseshoe Cove Campground by Kayko S., May 7, 2015
  • Review photo of Horseshoe Cove Campground by Kayko S., May 7, 2015
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Horseshoe Cove Campground?

    Camping at Horseshoe Cove Campground can cost between $98.00 and $102.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Horseshoe Cove Campground?

    Horseshoe Cove Campground allows vehicles up to 99 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Horseshoe Cove Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Horseshoe Cove Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Horseshoe Cove Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Horseshoe Cove Campground does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Horseshoe Cove Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Horseshoe Cove Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Horseshoe Cove Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Horseshoe Cove Campground?

    There are 41 campsites at Horseshoe Cove Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts