Established Camping
Horseshoe Cove Campground
About
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.
Facilities
There are 39 campsites at Horseshoe Cove Campground, including three large group sites. With several sites located at the lake's edge, and others in close vicinity, this campground offers visitors the ideal opportunity to camp near the shoreline or under a canopy of trees. A boat ramp, large sandy swim beach, trail, firewood are available at the campground.
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.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
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!
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.
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
Location
Horseshoe Cove Campground is located in Washington
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