Baker Lake
Baker Lake
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
36 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
8
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
0
L H
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Family
Complete lack of parking for swimming area. It was the first day in 2 years I got to spend time with my 3 grandkids. Arrived early morning just to find all car parking taken. People parking in ridiculous manners. Chose a space near a campsite on back side of the loop leaving plenty of space if a camper arrived. Got ticketed. And accosted by extremely rude lady. There are very, very few regular parking spots. Will avoid Baker Lake from now on.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
orioncreative
Concrete, WA286 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
No trip to the North Cascades would be complete without a visit to Baker Lake.
Baker Lake is created by Upper Baker Dam that is run by Puget Sound Energy. The 319' dam creates the 9 mile long by .5 mile wide lake. Located mostly on Forest Service land several improved campgrounds are available on the good road that runs up the west side of the lake.
Located close to the dam is a public boat launch and there are more as you proceed up the lake. Fishing is great since it is enhanced by PSE and motorized boating is allowed.
Best part of the whole visit is the beautiful views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, and the general area you can see as you drive there and along the lake.
Take the Baker Lake Rd. near Birdsview north for an easy 10 mile drive to the dam via lake Tyee. From the dam just follow Forest Service road NF#11 up the west side.
Or one can take a slightly different route from Concrete up Burpee Hill Rd. to Lake Tyee and then onto Baker Lake Rd. Although a bit more scenic, I wouldn't recommend this route for RVs though.
Baker Lake is created by Upper Baker Dam that is run by Puget Sound Energy. The 319' dam creates the 9 mile long by .5 mile wide lake. Located mostly on Forest Service land several improved campgrounds are available on the good road that runs up the west side of the lake.
Located close to the dam is a public boat launch and there are more as you proceed up the lake. Fishing is great since it is enhanced by PSE and motorized boating is allowed.
Best part of the whole visit is the beautiful views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, and the general area you can see as you drive there and along the lake.
Take the Baker Lake Rd. near Birdsview north for an easy 10 mile drive to the dam via lake Tyee. From the dam just follow Forest Service road NF#11 up the west side.
Or one can take a slightly different route from Concrete up Burpee Hill Rd. to Lake Tyee and then onto Baker Lake Rd. Although a bit more scenic, I wouldn't recommend this route for RVs though.
Written March 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Radvany
Bellingham, WA60 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Last summer we camped at the Baker Lake Swift creek campground. The place itself was pretty nice. Neighbors, not so much. Apparently this is a well known “party place” for the locals. The second night was capped by a a scene from 10p-2a that surpassed even Jerry Springer standards. There were no camp hosts to be found and we couldn't call the police because there was no cell phone coverage. Actually kind of scary.
When we pulled in we were greeted by our neighbors cars in our campsite. They were reasonable and pretty quick to move them. By early evening these neighbors were drunk and loud and their vocabulary was primarily composed of loudly slurred words I had been trying to avoid teaching my 5 and 8 year old girls. When I politely asked them to quiet down they promptly called me a few more of these names and started screaming louder. Not that it really mattered because they were already keeping us up. They remained quiet till about noon the next day.
The next night we moved to share a friends camp site around the bend. Our 3rd party who remained behind described a scene of alcohol fueled domestic violence... No police or camp hosts on scene. Our friends were genuinely frightened and afraid to come out of their tent.
Bottom line? Hard to get to but beautiful spot with a nice lake that is good for swimming and boating in the shadow of Mt Baker. I think some people go there to behave in ways that would have legal ramifications in civilization. I'm not going back. Lots of good spots nearer by without similar concerns.
When we pulled in we were greeted by our neighbors cars in our campsite. They were reasonable and pretty quick to move them. By early evening these neighbors were drunk and loud and their vocabulary was primarily composed of loudly slurred words I had been trying to avoid teaching my 5 and 8 year old girls. When I politely asked them to quiet down they promptly called me a few more of these names and started screaming louder. Not that it really mattered because they were already keeping us up. They remained quiet till about noon the next day.
The next night we moved to share a friends camp site around the bend. Our 3rd party who remained behind described a scene of alcohol fueled domestic violence... No police or camp hosts on scene. Our friends were genuinely frightened and afraid to come out of their tent.
Bottom line? Hard to get to but beautiful spot with a nice lake that is good for swimming and boating in the shadow of Mt Baker. I think some people go there to behave in ways that would have legal ramifications in civilization. I'm not going back. Lots of good spots nearer by without similar concerns.
Written July 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D M
Clinton, WA414 contributions
Sep 2014 • Family
Very quiet after Labor Day. Beautiful and almost on the lake, just a short walk. Boat ramp and good fishing, I hear, though I didn't go. Camping sites are not real private, but after school starts, we had one area to ourselves. The best part---it's free after Labor Day
Written September 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucyan
Seattle, WA1,265 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Spent one night by Baker Lake at Shannon Creek Campground before backpacking North Cascades and Mount Shuksan. Very small and quiet campground. Vault toilet, no drinkable water. Very nice, lots of options for boating and fishing. Close to trails.
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
waroadtraveler
seattle42 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
We stayed at Shannon Creek campground, one of a few managed under contract and within the Mt Baker/ Snoqualmie National Park boundary. It had everything I love- small grounds, privacy, clean, quiet at night; but had none of the things pseudo campers like (showers, paved trails, pull through sites, electricity). In other words, bring your own water, your hiking boots, be ready to rough it. Also, get trail maps ahead of time if you're hiking, none to be found out there, although there are several great trails.
The area has the feel of a true reserve, very little logging, plenty of wild life, great views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan. We met frogs, mice, chipmunks, and even saw snow and bear scat on our day hike. Lake was a bit chilly for swimming, but highly recommend the swim area at Swift Creek Campground for those brave enough to freeze their naughty bits.
The area has the feel of a true reserve, very little logging, plenty of wild life, great views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan. We met frogs, mice, chipmunks, and even saw snow and bear scat on our day hike. Lake was a bit chilly for swimming, but highly recommend the swim area at Swift Creek Campground for those brave enough to freeze their naughty bits.
Written June 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James D
Seattle, Wa, USA26 contributions
Oct 2020
I have traveled to here several times. It is a good place to go for some great scenery. Would go there again.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wishin_to_travel
Lynden, WA20 contributions
May 2018
We were lucky enough to be able to spend the night and full day at one of the Baker Lake Campgrounds over the Memorial Day Weekend with some friends. Such a quiet campground, huge campsites, trails to explore, kayaking, beaches, and so much more.
Written May 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soggyinsnoqualmie
Snoqualmie, WA271 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
Have lived in wa for decades yet never actually camped at the lake, wife who lived in mt vernon all childhood never had been at all. We went up here with the intent of a day trip to the hot springs but ended up staying for the weekend. There are a lot of campgrounds and non campground campsites. do your research prior to heading out so you have somewhat of a plan but realized that even on labor day weekend most campgrounds had space. If boating you can access the lake from many launches and most have overnight parking for trailer and or vehicle if you choose(most charge a fee). I personally would be more comfortable leaving the truck and trailer at a staffed campsite. there does seem to be primitive camping available on the roadless side of the lake via using your boat. As for the hot springs, do your research here as well and don't be expecting too much but forget the horror stories of garbage/parties and scary people. We found a clean site with families and hot/smelly sulfur water and then headed to the lake to cool off.
Written September 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gina W
2 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
Beautiful lake! Caught 2 sockeye salmon good size. Alot of other fishermen on the lake though it's only the 2nd week of opening. Had a great time will definitely be back!!
Written July 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do you access swimming beach for day use?
Written June 21, 2021
How much dose it cost to stay two nights with one veichel?
Written April 29, 2019
what do i need to know before heading to baker lake, WA in Concrete, WA
Written March 16, 2018
Are the campgrounds open in January 2019?
Written January 15, 2019
I need to know how much does it cost to stay overnight in a tent or tent-trailer at Kulshan?
How much does it cost to stay in a tent or tent-trailer at Kulshan camp grounds?
Written April 7, 2017
$22 per night with up to a 14 day/night stay
Written August 1, 2017
David S
Camano Island, Washington
Is responsible drinking allowed at Swift Creek , a beer or two?
Written May 3, 2015
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