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A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service campground

Swift Creek Campground

Forest Service campground in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Whatcom County, Washington. 754 feet. 14.3 miles from Concrete.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Elevation
754 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
42 38 standard non-electric, 2 yurt, 2 group standard non-electric
Longest rig
75 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Whatcom County

Overview

Swift Creek Campground is tucked into a mixed-conifer forest at the edge of Baker Lake in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • canoeing
  • fishing
  • kayaking
  • picnicking
  • swimming

The land around Swift Creek Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated August 12, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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