Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway
Along the sandstone shore of Chuckanut Drive to Bellingham, then up the Mount Baker Highway to waterfalls and alpine lakes below Mount Shuksan.
- Distance
- 148 km (92 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 38 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 7
- States
- WA
- Updated
- July 12, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 148 km (92 mi) with 7 stops, from Mount Vernon to Glacier. About 1 h 38 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Washington · More road trips from Mount Vernon
Route description
From Mount Vernon, drive north through the flat farmland of the Skagit Valley, famous for tulip fields in April, to the start of Chuckanut Drive (SR-11) near Bow. The road winds along sandstone cliffs above Samish Bay for about 10 miles. It is narrow with few pull-outs; long motorhomes should use I-5 instead. Larrabee State Park has tide pools and forest trails.
Bellingham is a university town with a historic district in Fairhaven and all services. From there, SR-542, the Mount Baker Highway, leads east through the Nooksack River valley. Glacier, about an hour away, is the last village, with a small store and the Glacier Public Service Center, which has information on trails and road conditions.
Seven miles east of Glacier, a short side road leads to Nooksack Falls, which plunges 88 feet into a gorge; stay behind the fences. The highway then climbs switchbacks to Heather Meadows, where Picture Lake reflects Mount Shuksan. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the Heather Meadows and Artist Point trailheads, and the lots fill on summer weekends.
The last three miles to Artist Point, at about 5,100 feet, usually open only from mid-July to late September, depending on snow. Trails lead to the Table Mountain and Chain Lakes areas with views of both Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. The road is paved but steep; drive back down to Glacier to spend the night, as there is no camping at Artist Point.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Mount Vernon
WA - 234 km
Larrabee State Park
NatureBellingham, WAWashington’s first state park, on Chuckanut Drive, with sandstone tide pools, forest trails and sunset views over the San Juan Islands. A Discover Pass is needed; the campground takes medium-size RVs.
- 313 km
Bellingham
WA - 462 km
Nooksack Falls
NatureGlacier, WAAn 88-foot waterfall plunging into a gorge, a short walk from a small lot at the end of a side road off SR-542. Stay behind the fences; the rocks are slippery and the drop is sheer.
- 513 km
Picture Lake
ViewsGlacier, WAA small lake at Heather Meadows whose surface reflects the glaciers of Mount Shuksan. A short level loop circles the shore; it is reached by SR-542 and stays snowy until early summer.
- 63 km
Artist Point
ViewsGlacier, WAThe end of the Mount Baker Highway at about 5,100 feet, between Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. The last section usually opens from mid-July to late September; a Northwest Forest Pass is required.
- 723 km
Glacier
WA
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Mount Vernon → Bellingham · 29 mi · 0 h 31 minOn the way: Larrabee State Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Burlington / Anacortes KOA (15 mi); Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center (6 mi).
- Day 2: Bellingham → Glacier · 63 mi · 1 h 07 minOn the way: Nooksack Falls, Picture Lake, Artist Point.Overnight nearby, for example: Douglas Fir Campground (2 mi); Swift Creek Campground (17 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway?
2-day road trip of about 148 km (92 mi) with 7 stops, from Mount Vernon to Glacier. About 1 h 38 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway?
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 38 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway start and end?
It starts in Mount Vernon and ends in Glacier.
Which states does Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway pass through?
Washington.
Where can you camp along Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway?
OpenStreetMap lists 74 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Burlington / Anacortes KOA, Thousand Trails La Conner and Washington Park Campground.
When is the best time for Chuckanut Drive and the Mount Baker Highway?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
