Mineral Park Campground

Food Storage Order in place for Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has a food storage order in effect across the entire Forest. This order requires visitors to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to store food items in a “bear resistant manner” and to properly dispose of wildlife attractants. The food storage order is intended to reduce human/wildlife conflicts resulting from readily available food sources and other attractants.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE
MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST ORDER# 06-05-25-01
Forest Area Closure

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a), to minimize adverse interactions between humans, bears, and other wildlife and provide for visitor safety, the following acts are prohibited within the
boundaries of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A. Also attached, and hereby made part of this Order, Exhibit B - Definitions of terms used in support of the
restrictions. This order will be effective from April 15, 2025, to April 15, 2027, unless rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITION:

Possessing or storing any food or refuse, except as specified under this order 36 CFR 261.SS(cc)
Possessing, storing, or transporting any bird, fish, or other animal or parts thereof, except as specified under this order 36 CFR 261.58(s)

This order requires that:

All food and refuse must be acceptably stored or acceptably possessed during daytime hours.
All food and refuse must be acceptably stored during nighttime hours, unless it is being prepared for eating, being eaten, being transported, or being prepared for acceptable storage.
Any harvested animal carcass must be acceptably stored, unless the carcass is being field dressed, transported, being prepared for eating, or being prepared for acceptable storage.
Burnable attractants that cannot be completely consumed by fire (i.e., no post burning residue) must be packed out.

PROHIBITION AREA DESCRIPTION:

All National Forest System lands within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.SO(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Persons with a Valid Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order (Form FS-7700-48), specifically exempting them from this order.
Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization or other authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
Any Federal or State officer placing baits to capture animals for research or management
purposes as part of their official duties.

This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581).

Executed in Everett, Washington, this 3rd day of March, 2025.

Overview

Mineral Park Campground is situated near the confluence of the North and South Forks of the scenic Cascade River in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Scattered beneath a towering canopy of diverse forest, the sites in this campground are widely spaced and within walking distance to the waterfront, making it an ideal setting for visitors wanting to camp in a more private, rustic setting. The campground is divided into two sections, Mineral Park East and Mineral Park West.

Recreation

In addition to being a prime location for hiking, fishing, picnicking, and horseback riding in summer and early fall, Mineral Park Campground offers excelent skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months.

Several trailheads for the overnight backpacker are located in the vicinity of the nearby town of Marblemount, including Hidden Lake Trail. Beginning in a forested setting, this trail climbs quickly to open meadows and grand views of the Cascade River. As it reaches higher elevations, it winds through angular slabs of granite and groupings of alpine fir. Spectacular views of high, jagged Cascade peaks can be seen from these higher meadows. Hidden Lake and the Hidden Lake Lookout can be seen from the pass, and reached by traversing down a talus slope.

Facilities

Mineral Park Campground can accommodate RV, trailer or tent-campers however water and electric hookups are not available. This is a no water facility so campers will need to bring their own supply. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill and the campground has vault toilets available.

Natural Features

Hemmed in by several designated wilderness areas, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest showcases rugged peaks, sparkling alpine lakes and old-growth forests.

Mt. Baker, the most prominent feature of the Mt. Baker Wilderness Area, dominates the landscape on a clear day. Rising to an elevation of 10,781 feet, the active volcano from which the forest takes its name is perpetually snow-capped and mantled with an extensive network of creeping glaciers. Mt. Baker's summit, Grant Peak, is actually a 1,300-foot-deep mound of ice, which hides a massive volcanic crater.

Flowing adjacent to this campground is the Cascade River, designated as a National Scenic River. Possessing remarkable values related to wildlife, culture, recreation and scenery, the Cascade River is preserved in its free-flowing condition and cannot not dammed or impeded.

Wildlife in the area include mountain goats, coyotes, pine marten and a variety of migratory birds and native fish.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 932-0242.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors enjoy the North Cascades and Mt. Rainer National Parks, where interpretive programs and exhibits offer education about the diverse landscape and history of the area.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), one of the world's premier National Scenic Trails, showcases some of North America's most fantastic scenery, winding its way its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington, and is accessible near the campground.

Charges & Cancellations

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Camp site features

Across 21 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 21 sites
Picnic table: all 21 sites
Pets allowed: all 21 sites
Longest RV: 51 ft
Largest party: 12 people
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

From Seattle, take I-5 north for about 42 miles. Exit onto WA-530 East, then continue east on Highway 20 for about 40 miles. At the town of Marblemount, cross the bridge over the Skagit River and continue east approximately 16 miles to the Mineral Park Campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

110 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Ernie R

Loop:Mineral Park

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

A beautiful spot & close to the hike my family was doing.

Haiyu H

Loop:Mineral Park

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

We had a good first impression arriving at the campground around 6pm but did not notice the roaring stream until we are trying to sleep. It was impossible; the river wasn't just loud, it was an all-consuming wall of white noise. My friend who stopped by described it as I-5. On the first night, we gave up trying to sleep and get up to drive to cascade pass trailhead at 3am and slept at the trailhead instead. After finishing the Sahale arm hike on Saturday, we drove back to the city and skip the second night at the campground because we knew it was a lost cause.

Tom P

Loop:Mineral Park

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

It's a very nice campground on the road to Cascade Pass. We camped there so we were close to the pass, where an early start is advisable because the parking lot gets crowded. Though signs said that other campsites were reserved, few other people were camping in late August. Our site was across from a pit toilet. Using the toilet was fine but we could smell it from our site -- odd.

Katherine G

Loop:Mineral Park

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Beautiful site with trail to river. Quiet campground. Everyone asleep by sunset. Most sites don't have river access but there is a public access trail down the road. Only downside is a group of men walked into my site while I was there to use my river trail without asking first and really startled me. That's a pretty rude thing to do and people really shouldn't do that.

Jennifer S

Loop:Mineral Park

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Beautiful site right by the river, which was great to listen to while eating/sleeping. Site was clean, easy access to trash cans and toilets. Perfect site before/after hike at Cascade Pass/Sahale Glacier.

Kyra W

Loop:Mineral Park

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

There is no running water here but a pit toilet in good condition. The campsites right next to the water are beautiful, but there is no easy access to swim or get to the water. A great campsite for hiking Sahale Glacier.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve