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Mount Baker National Recreation Area | |
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Location | Whatcom County, Washington, United States |
Nearest city | Concrete, Washington |
Coordinates | 48°43′N 121°50′W / 48.71°N 121.83°W |
Area | 8,473 acres (34.29 km2) |
Established | July 3, 1984 |
Governing body | United States Forest Service |
Website | Mount Baker National Recreation Area |
Mount Baker National Recreation Area is a designated National Recreation Area in the U.S. state of Washington. It is about 15 miles (24 km) south of the Canada–US border within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Northwestern Washington. The recreation area lies northwest of North Cascades National Park and comprises 8,600 acres (3,500 ha).[1]
The recreation area was established in 1984 by an act of the U.S. Congress primarily to protect and conserve the wildlife and recreation in the area,[2] while accommodating the use of snowmobiles during the winter months on the southern slopes of Mount Baker. There are also many hiking trails and campgrounds in the recreation area. Mount Baker NRA is adjacent to the Mount Baker Wilderness area, established on the same day,[3] where snowmobiling is not permitted.[4]
Climbing is a common activity within the recreation area. To reach the summit of Mount Baker, the Coleman Glacier and Easton Glacier routes are used by experienced climbers.[5]
Camping is another popular recreation activity in the area. Some campgrounds include parking for recreational vehicles (RVs) or trailers with bathroom amenities and running water.