Baker Lake, Horseshoe Cove Campground

One of Baker Lake's most popular campgrounds, Horseshoe Cove is located on the reservoir's western shore just north of Kulshan Campground and Upper Baker Dam. Perhaps most notable for its large "cove" swimming area with a broad sandy/dirt beach, the campground also features 3 large group sites, restrooms, and boat ramp access onto Baker Lake. With 38 campsites, Horseshoe Cove certainly isn't the reservoir's largest campground, but all the sites certainly provide more space, separation and privacy than larger Swift Creek and Kulshan Campground, making this location understandably coveted during the summer months.

Note: Horseshoe Cove Campground is typically open Memorial Day through the end of September. Call Hoodoo Recreation Services at 541.338.7869 for seasonal updates and more information.

Baker Lake

Once a low-lying flat with a small lake, extremely dense old-growth and wetland marshes, Baker Lake was flooded and submerged by over 300 feet in 1959 with the construction of the Upper Baker Dam. Today, the elongated reservoir at the base of Mount Baker (10,781') and Mount Shuksan (9,131') is still surrounded by magnificent old-growth conifer forest (dominated by Douglas fir, western redcedar and western hemlock) and measures roughly 9 miles in length.

Extremely popular among locals for its fishing and motorized boating, the National Recreation Area fills to capacity during the summer months, and campsites can be difficult to claim at all 10 of the reservoirs established and reservable campgrounds, including (from north to south):

• Shannon Creek Campground (19 campsites)
• Park Creek Campground (12 campsites)
• Swift Creek Campground (49 campsites)
• Panorama Point Campground (15 campsites)
• Boulder Creek Campground (10 campsites)
• Lower Sandy Beach + Campsites (5 campsites)
• Bayview North Group Campsite (1 group site)
• Bayview South Group Campsite (1 group site)
• Horseshoe Cove Campground (38 campsites)
• Kulshan Campground (108 campsites)

The reservoir also provides four additional boat/hike-in campgrounds/sites on its southeastern shore which are accessible by boat/kayak and the South Baker Lake Trail. From north to south:

• Noisy Creek Campsites
• Silver Creek Campsites
• Maple Grove Campsites
• Anderson Point Campsites

Fishing

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Baker Lake is

open to fishing from the 4th Saturday in April to October 31. Fishing in this Baker River reservoir (Baker Lake) can be excellent for kokanee in April, May, and June and again in the fall. There is a six-inch minimum, 18-inch maximum size limit on trout and kokanee. An expanding sockeye population may provide frequent fishing opportunities in the future. The duration and timing of the sockeye fishery varies with in-season abundance. Baker Lake is closed to the taking of bull trout/Dolly Varden. Additionally, a radius of 200 feet surrounding the pump discharge at the south end of the lake is closed to all fishing.