If you’re headed north of Seattle, driving Mt Baker Scenic Byway makes an ideal Bellingham day trip! In fact, I’d argue it’s one of the most scenic drives in Washington state, which is saying something!
In late June, when we drove it, Highway 542 was studded with rushing turquoise rivers, serene mountain lakes, and majestic alpine forests just starting to lose their snow melt. All that, plus the beginning of wildflower season!
It reminded me a bit of our incredible drive from Banff to Jasper on the Icefield Parkway in Alberta, Canada few years earlier!
Mount Baker Scenic Highway
The 58-mile Mt Baker Scenic Byway—Highway 542— zig zags past the North Fork of the Nooksack River as it winds through old-growth forests, waterfalls galore, and ends at Artist Point in Heather Meadows near the base of a 10,781-foot volcano, Mount Baker.
It’s just a 90-minute drive but I suggest you make a day of it, packing a picnic and planning to stop for a hike or two.
Grab food to go at the Bellingham Whole Foods. Or, if you’re driving from Seattle, I *highly recommend* you swing by Skagit Valley Food Coop in Mount Vernon.
This is an AMAZING place! I have never seen so much healthy deliciousness in one spot. Sandwiches, salads, snacks, droolworthy desserts, and so much more!
My top tips for driving Highway 542 (Mt Baker Scenic Highway):
• Grab a picnic and snacks before you head out. There are not a lot of food options en route (and the café at Heather Meadows Lodge doesn’t open in the summer until July 1).
• Check to be sure that the road to Artist’s Point is open. It’s typically open only from late June to October!
• Plan a hike or two! Horseshoe bend en route makes for an easy family-friendly hike. There are dozens of hikes for all skill levels once you enter Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest near Mount Baker itself.
First Stop: Hike at Horseshoe Bend
There are dozens of hiking trails along this road and plenty near Artists Point at the end of the road as well. We loved our three-mile walk (90 minutes, just 459 feet elevation gain) at Horseshoe Bend in Glacier.
The old-growth forest here was stunning. We followed a trail along the rushing Nooksack River, which is powered by the glaciers at Mount Shuksan.
Early wildflowers were opening. And the drama of the giant moss-hung firs, hemlocks, and cedars made for an epic hike.
There are no benches here so find a picnic spot somewhere on a boulder or piece of driftwoodon the trail. Otherise, you can lunch in the small parking lot trailside.
Read more on Washington State travel:
• How to spend one day at Mt Rainier National Park
• 11 Lovely Places to See in Washington State
• Fun Things to do on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands
• 26 Best Western US National Parks
Second Stop: Picture Lake
This is one of the most photographed lakes in Washington State. It’s a gorgeous little lake that frames Mount Shushkan in the background.
We watched a red lab eagerly splash into this frigid lake over and over here for his ball! It was impressive.
Stop 3: Artist Point
As you wind your way, up, up up towards the glacier that Is Mount Baker, you’ll likely still find plenty of snow in the early summer, as we did.
I feel like Mount Rainier in Washington gets all the glory—and it is spectacular; we were there last summer, in fact.
It’s just that Mount Baker wasn’t even on my radar until this day trip. It’s like alpine Switzerland here!
Artist’s Point is where the road ends up at the top. There’s a café that opens in July but was closed when we visited late June. The gift shop and visitor center were open, though.
Be aware that the road to Artist’s Point is only open 3 to 4 months per year, from late June to early October, when the snow melt makes it passable.
However, skiers can still access Mount Baker in winter via the Heather Meadows parking lot, which is located before the spot where the road is closed.
You can see why it’s called Artist’s Point…
If you haven’t yet spent all your hiking energy for the day, consider hiking to Table Mountain ( 3 miles, moderate, 560 feet of elevation gain). This hike offers a big pay-off, with 360-degree views of the area.
There’s also Artist Ridge Trail, Ptarmigan Ridge Trail, and Yellow Aster Butte trail for summer wildflowers (and fall colors), among other popular options.
Heading Back
When you loop back towards Bellingham, consider stopping for dinner at North Fork Brewery for pizza and beer in Deming; it’s about halfway back to Bellingham.
It’s tough to choose from all the incredible options for Bellingham. It makes a great base for exploring the North Cascades National Park, Deception Pass State Park, and the San Juan Islands.
But exploring the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest is truly a gorgeous day out!
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