Swift Creek Campground
Swift Creek Campground is tucked into a mixed-conifer forest at the edge of Baker Lake in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
More like this: reservable in Washington · big rigs in Washington · pets allowed in Washington · group sites in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 38 |
| Yurts | 2 |
| Group sites | 2 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 100 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
42 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP1-5 | Group Loop | Group | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 30 / 5 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| GP6-10 | Group Loop | Group | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 30 / 5 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 012 | Swift Creek | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 013 | Swift Creek | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 014 | Swift Creek | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 015 | Swift Creek | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 016 | Swift Creek | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 017 | Swift Creek | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 018 | Swift Creek | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 019 | Swift Creek | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 75 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Swift Creek offers campsites that accommodate either tents or RVs. There are two group sites that are reservable as well. Drinking water and vault toilets are available. The campground also has a day-use area at the lake's edge, equipped with picnic tables and grills. There is a boat ramp and a marina on site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest |
| Fees | Camping: View Recreation.gov for Fee Information and for open season dates. Extra vehicle: $9/night. Day use: $5. Overnight parking: $9 for boats & vehicles in overflow and boat launch parking areas. |
| Rules | Rules and regulations governing occupancy and use in national forest developed recreation sites are enforced. A day-use is charged if you are not camping overnight. During Sockeye fishing season boat launch ramp use is extremely heavy. |
Weather by month
Getting there
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).
| Coordinates | 48.7296° N, 121.6586° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireLuna
21 mi from the campground · 8,553 acres · 42% contained
- WildfireBorder 2
34 mi from the campground · 9,108 acres · 74% contained
- WildfireSisi
46 mi from the campground · 4,615 acres · 34% contained
- WildfirePtarmigan
50 mi from the campground · 25,566 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 17.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mt. Waddington's Outdoors ↗ | 29.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Cottonwood RV Sales and Service ↗ | 32.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Swift Creek Campground, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington Campsite Photos
Worth a stop
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.
- 4.3 miWatson Lakes Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 4.9 miBaker River Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.3 miBoulder Ridge X-Country Ski ↗4.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 1.8 miRainbow Falls Loop X-Country ↗10.3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 2.3 miBaker Hot Springs0.3 mi trail · hiking
- 2.4 miBoulder Ridge3.6 mi trail · hiking
- 2.4 miMartin Lake X-Country Ski 11304 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 2.5 miSwift Creek ↗8 mi trail · hiking · national_scenic_or_historic
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.4 miBoulder Ridge Trailhead ↗Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- 2.5 miSwift Creek Trailhead ↗Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Mount Baker Wilderness begins about 1.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.1 miMount Baker Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 119,966 acres
- 5.6 miNoisy-Diobsud Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 14,266 acres
- 5.7 miStephen Mather Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 638,173 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Koma Kulshan Ranger StationBuilding · Concrete · 5.4 mi
- Austin Pass Warming HutBuilding · Glacier · 8.7 mi
- Park Butte LookoutStructure · Sedro Wooley · 9.1 mi
Natural features
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 varied ecosystems as well.
Recreation
In addition to being a prime location for hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking, and horseback riding in summer and early fall, Swift Creek offers opportunities for snowshoeing in the winter months. With a small beach on-site and access to Baker Lake, visitors will have plenty of opportunities to fish, kayak, canoe and swim. The nearby Baker Lake Trail is a family friendly 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.
Guidebooks for Washington
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Swift Creek Campground?
Sites at Swift Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Swift Creek Campground?
Camping: View Recreation.gov for Fee Information and for open season dates. Extra vehicle: $9/night. Day use: $5.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Swift Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Swift Creek Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Swift Creek Campground have?
43 sites, including 38 standard sites without power, 2 yurt, and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Swift Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 75 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Swift Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Swift Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Swift Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Rules and regulations governing occupancy and use in national forest developed recreation sites are enforced.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Swift Creek Campground?
In addition to being a prime location for hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking, and horseback riding in summer and early fall, Swift Creek offers opportunities for snowshoeing in the winter months. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Swift Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Park Creek Campground (0.6 mi), Panorama Point Campground (0.7 mi), and Boulder Creek Campground (1.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby