Mount Baker Highway (Route 542)
Department of Transportation.
Although this byway is a relatively short 57 miles, the
attractions and scenery found along the Mount Baker Highway are
worthy of extra time taken out of the car absorbing the atmosphere.
Mount Baker Highway begins just west of Bellingham and winds up to
spectacular Artist Point, the end of the highway. The highway is
home to whatever visitors are searching for from solitude and
beauty, to fun and recreation, to the dazzling experience of all
that Mount Baker has to offer. Unlike many byways, this road does
not lead to another location or area. It’s a destination unto
itself and an adventure all along the way.
Scenery
This drive has much to soothe and excite traveler’s eyes all
at once. Nooksack River travels alongside much of the byway. Its
clear, swift waters create one of the most majestic views at the
thundering Nooksack Falls. Towering trees crowd along the byway
harboring shady glades for the perfect picnic area. The culmination
of the byway offers the tremendous experience of gazing up at the
sparkling light as it plays upon the glacier-encased slopes of
Mount Baker.
Adventure
Driving along the byway and stopping to visit the many sites along
the way is a never-ending adventure. The Mount Baker Highway is the
only road to Mount Baker and its surrounding beauty. Visitors can
spend a day exploring the national forest the highway travels
through, or camp for weekend in one of the charming campgrounds.
Hiking and skiing are two favorite pastimes depending on the season
travelers arrive. Explore the wild landscape and step back in
time.
Directions
Navigating the Byway:
From Seattle: take I-5 north. Turn east on to SR 542 at Bellingham.
Driving the Byway
- Start the byway in Bellingham and travel east on SR542, passing through the towns of Nugent's Corner and Deming.
- At Deming, turn north until Kendall, then continue east on the byway, passing through the towns of Maple Falls and Glacier.
- Continue on SR542 through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, before turning south into the Mt. Baker Wilderness Area. The byway ends at Artist Point.
Additional Information