Trail Overview

Trail Ridge Road is an easy, windy, single-width Forest Service gravel and dirt road that takes you up and around the Baker Lake area. It is a mostly well-maintained dirt road with minimal potholes, a few small water run-offs, and gorgeous views. You do need to cross the dam to get to this section of the trail. In the summertime, this can be a popular trail as it is easily accessible. There are multiple pull-offs available for dispersed camping including but not limited to a few with absolutely amazing views of Mount Baker that are so close you could almost reach out and grab it.

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Difficulty

This trail has a 2 rating because while 90% of it is very easily traversed, there are a few tricky spots (small but intense inclines) to get to some of the camping areas. This trail is also unmaintained in the winter, giving it a harder rating due to the sheer amount of snow it accumulates.

Technical Rating

Rizwan Mohammed

May 16, 2026

Open

Closed right after trail head

Jamari Suazo-West

Mar 01, 2026

Open

Massive washout at Anderson creek. Not repairable unless they build a bridge across.

Dean Franjkovic

Jan 10, 2026

Open

Road has posted signed closes right after baker lake trailhead.

Logan Cate

Sep 17, 2025

Open

Easy trail, a bit hard if you’re trying to pass with a wide vehicle but great camping spots

Christine Salazar

Sep 13, 2025

Open

Boulders have been cleared. My AWD RAV4 handled it fine all the way to the trailhead at the end of the road.

Sam Rosane

Jul 21, 2025

Open

Boulders in front of trail at 9.5 miles

Chelsea P

Jul 10, 2025

Open

Gus Ricard

Jun 23, 2025

Open

Multiple turn-offs for camping (roughly 10 spots). Great views of Mt Baker when the clouds moved. Minor potholes and only a few tight turns. Recommend getting there early for a good campsite. Took about an hour to complete.

Thomas Sallas

Apr 22, 2025

Open

trail was pretty easy till about 1/2 mile from the top. Farley deep snow at that point. you will need a high clearance 4x4 till the snow melts.

Jack McCall

Apr 03, 2025

Open

Beautiful but halfway up there was a lot of snow that was getting very wet and slick. I can normally handle a foot or so of snow with my vehicle but this stuff just instantly became extra slick slush. Bring recovery gear and be careful. I turned back about 50 yards into the snow covered road.

Martin Kowalski

Sep 19, 2024

Open

The road is well maintained until about 60% up where you'll run into some ruts, potholes, washboard, etc. Overall not an issue for any stock 4x4, didn't even need to air down. The only obstacle is the one to the primo campsite/overlook but unfortunately the clouds rolled in and covered Mt. Baker. There are some fall colors starting and I'd imagine it will be colorful in about a week or so.

Po Tater

Jun 08, 2024

Open

Some rough sections. But I gave a Lexus sedan a wave by and didn't see him again until the top.