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Park Creek Campground sits along the banks of Park Creek in the stunning Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The unique setting offers many recreational activities and scenic views. Baker Lake is close by, and many hiking trails and climbing routes are within a short driving distance.
In addition to being a great basecamp for hiking, boating and fishing in summer and early fall, Park Creek can be a starting point for snowshoeing in the winter months. Trails in the area can entice any hiker to get outdoors. From smooth paths meandering through deep quiet forests to challenging ascents up boulder-studded mountains, opportunities abound for every skill level. Shadow of the Sentinels Trail, a barrier-free interpretive trail winding through dense forest growth, is a short drive away. Huge Douglas fir and cedar trees tower above a forest floor of ferns, moss and berry bushes, and interpretive signs along the route explain the dynamics of this 500-year-old ancient forest. The trail is constructed of asphalt and boardwalks with grades no greater than 8 percent. The nearby Baker Lake Trail is an easy family hike that begins in a majestic stand of Douglas fir. In 1843, a small eruption of Mt. Baker caused a forest fire, and visitors can still see the burned snags of virgin cedar trees that once dominated the area. The trail contours above the eastern shoreline of Baker Lake.
Park Creek campground offers standard sites, accommodating both tent and RV camping. The campground is equipped with tables, vault toilets and campfire rings with grills.
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest showcases rugged peaks, sparkling alpine lakes and old-growth forests, providing visitors with unique and surprising landscapes. Mt. Baker, the most prominent feature of the Mt. Baker Wilderness, dominates the landscape on a clear day. Rising to an elevation of 10,781 feet, the active volcano is perpetually snow-capped and mantled with an extensive network of creeping glaciers. Mt. Baker's summit, Grant Peak, is a 1,300-foot-deep mound of ice, which hides a massive volcanic crater. Wildlife in the area includes mountain goats traversing the higher elevations to squirrels and black bears in the forests. Migratory birds and native fish find ample habitat in the surrounding ecosystems.
For facility specific information, please call (360) 386-8214.
Hike in the mountains above the lake in the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area or Mt. Baker Wilderness, 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.
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 for approximately 18 miles to the sign for Park Creek Campground Road (Forest Service road 1144). Turn left and travel less than 1/4 mile to access the campground.
Private camping on a river. Great views. Outhouse didn't have TP, but was super clean.
Your experience at this campground will undoubtedly be a function of your expectations. I'm used to backpacking and tent-camping out of sight & sound of other people, so camping here was something of a shock to me: although "private", in the sense that other people are not right on top of you, you will definitely hear people all the time, day & night, including cars constantly driving past since each of the sites is basically right off the road, and people going to-and-fro to the toilet and back. That being said, for a crowded and popular campground with access to a lot of trails, it's not that bad, and very accessible. So I give it a middle-rating of three stars.
This is a small campground that is set up for tents and small trailers. Most of the campsites have a private trail and are adjacent to Park Creek, which is a large creek. Only a few of the sites have sand beds for tents and the graveled sites will have large puddles during moderate rains - hence the missing star. The Rainbow Falls Loop Trailhead starts at the edge of this campground and passes by Baker Hot Springs, ponds, across creeks (passable) and other interesting landscapes. It is also an easy walk to Baker Lake. We stayed in campsite #5, which held two 3-person and one 4-person tent. The campground shows very visible effects of a recent wildfire.
We enjoyed speaking with the two rangers. One of them came back to check on us the morning after a heavy rain.
It was a great campground. I usually go to swift creek but I wanted to stay a week so I came to park creek. Nice and private sights. The hot springs are a hour and a half up the road on foot.
Small campground NOT on the lake.
Beautiful view of Mt. baker, sound of the creek and clean bathrooms are among the great things about the campground. Close to a boat launch but not on the lake makes it a quiet and more secluded experience.
Check out the day use area at Swift Creek across the street!
