When you’re born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, the desire for exploration comes naturally. Living in Washington means having an abundance of hiking trails, camp sites, and road trip routes right in your backyard, and you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t check out some of them when you have the time.

The Mt. Baker Scenic Byway is a fun, visually stunning, and fairly short road trip route that takes you from beautiful Bellingham Bay to the base of the mountain itself. And it’s the perfect way to explore the northwest corner of the state.

Google Maps The Mt. Baker Scenic Byway spans State Route 542. The highway was constructed in the late 1800s as an access road for the profitable logging industry, and its rich history is well documented.

You’ll start in Bellingham, so spend some time exploring the shores of Bellingham Bay.

Krystal Hamlin / Flickr Bellingham is the northernmost city in the contiguous United States, located neat the Canadian border.

Fuel up your vehicle and cruise down State Route 542, stopping the check out the views whenever possible.

Nick Bramhall / Flickr The looming evergreens and leaf maples line the route, and as you drive, you’ll get peeks of the Nooksack River.

If you’re hungry, do yourself a favor and stop at North Fork Brewery in Deming.

North Fork Brewery / Google This rustic brewery makes the perfect pit stop, offering scenic views, a lengthy beer line-up, and tasty pizza. There’s even a small on-site beer shrine visitors love.

The pizza at North Fork Brewery is made fresh daily with specialty flour, olive oil, and beer (naturally).

The North Fork Brewery, Pizzeria and Beer Shrine / Facebook The pizzas are hand-tossed and topped with fresh, mostly local toppings. This place is always worth the drive.

There are plenty of places that are perfect for stopping to take some photos, and Picture Lake is no exception.

Janet Stokes / alltrails.com Picture Lake is one of the most photographed mountain scenes in the PNW, and it’s easy to see why. And in addition to being beautiful, it’s easy to reach—you’ll only cover about half a mile round trip.

Last but not least, you’ll reach the base of Mt. Baker.

laurfaulk / Flickr The Mt. Baker Ski Area is massive, offering plenty of spots for outdoor recreation. But no one will blame you if you simply sit around and take it all in.

Have you ever taken the time to explore the northwest corner of our state?

Google Maps

The Mt. Baker Scenic Byway spans State Route 542. The highway was constructed in the late 1800s as an access road for the profitable logging industry, and its rich history is well documented.

Krystal Hamlin / Flickr

Bellingham is the northernmost city in the contiguous United States, located neat the Canadian border.

Nick Bramhall / Flickr

The looming evergreens and leaf maples line the route, and as you drive, you’ll get peeks of the Nooksack River.

North Fork Brewery / Google

This rustic brewery makes the perfect pit stop, offering scenic views, a lengthy beer line-up, and tasty pizza. There’s even a small on-site beer shrine visitors love.

The North Fork Brewery, Pizzeria and Beer Shrine / Facebook

The pizzas are hand-tossed and topped with fresh, mostly local toppings. This place is always worth the drive.

Janet Stokes / alltrails.com

Picture Lake is one of the most photographed mountain scenes in the PNW, and it’s easy to see why. And in addition to being beautiful, it’s easy to reach—you’ll only cover about half a mile round trip.

laurfaulk / Flickr

The Mt. Baker Ski Area is massive, offering plenty of spots for outdoor recreation. But no one will blame you if you simply sit around and take it all in.

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Address: Bellingham, WA, USAAddress: Mt. Baker Ski Area, Mt Baker Hwy, Deming, WA 98244, USA