Looking for more adventures near Bagley Lakes?
Head further up the Chain Lakes Trail to Herman Saddle. For easy access to these trails and more, book a campsite at Silver Fir Campground.
LOCATION
The Bagley Lakes Trailhead is located on Highway 542 (Mount Baker Highway) across from the Heather Meadows Ski Area. There is no sign at the entrance to the parking lot, but you’ll see the entrance to your right shortly after passing Picture Lake. A gate crosses the highway just past the parking lot entrance. This gate will be open in summer once the highway to Heather Meadows is clear of snow. If you pass through it, you’ve gone to far, and will have to turn around at Heather Meadows.
LENGTH
2 mile loop
DIFFICULTY
Easy/Moderate — Much of the trail is fairly level, but there’s a short yet steep downhill decent at the start. The final ascent to Upper Bagley Lake follows a rocky uphill path. If you choose to do a loop (like we did) and return on the Chain Lakes Trail, there is some additional elevation gain and the trail is rockier and rougher.
WE HIKED IT
June 2026, about an hour of hiking and an hour playing at the beach
CURRENT INFO
Updated information and reviews for the Bagley Lakes Loop are available on the WTA (Washington Trails Association) website. Find trail maps on the AllTrails website. This hike is featured in two excellent hiking guidebooks for families, Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington by Susan Elderkin and 50 Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Washington by Wendy Gorton. I also recommend the hiking guidebook Day Hiking: North Cascades by Craig Romano.
GOOD TO KNOW
- There is a $5 fee to park at the Bagley Lakes Trailhead. Fee envelopes are available at the trailhead, or you can scan the posted QR code to pay.
- The parking fee is covered by both the America the Beautiful Pass and the Northwest Forest Pass. If you don’t already have an America the Beautiful pass, check ahead of time to see if you qualify for a free or reduced price pass — veterans, seniors, and 4th graders do!
- A vault toilet is available at the trailhead. Garbage and recycle bins are also available. For flush toilets, head up the road to the Heather Meadows Visitor Center.
- There is no drinking water available at the trailhead or along the trail. Be sure to fill your water bottles before you go.
- Pets on leash are welcome on the trail. Always clean up after your pet.
- The Bagley Lakes Trail is accessible in summer and early fall. It was snow-free when we hiked it in mid-June, but sometimes the snow may not fully melt until July.
- For current trail information and more, stop by the Heather Meadows Visitor Center. The center is typically open during the summer, and offers a few small exhibits, a gift shop, and park rangers to answer your questions.
- Trails in this area are very popular. We came early in the season, shortly after the road to Heather Meadows reopened. While there were others on the trail, it wasn’t overly crowded. According to one ranger we spoke with, however, many summer weekends are packed, and the Heather Meadows parking lot fills to overflowing. The parking lot at the Bagley Lakes Trailhead is large, but you may still want to arrive early to beat the pack.
- To follow our route, start off on the Bagley Lakes Trail, then head back to the trailhead via the Chain Lakes Trail, making a clockwise loop. You can hike the loop in either direction, or hike the same trail out and back if you prefer.
- You can easily lengthen this hike by continuing past Upper Bagley Lake on the Chain Lakes Trail. We actually did this the very next day, and hiked to Herman Saddle for gorgeous views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan.
- Always follow Leave No Trace principles.
HIGHLIGHTS
Even from the Bagley Lakes Trailhead, the views are incredible, and they only get better from here on out. This hike is a delight on a sunny summer day, especially early in the season when the surrounding peaks are still draped in snow and Lava Falls is running. In our experience, going soon after the snow cleared (mid-June, although the timing will vary from year to year) also meant fewer crowds.
With flat sections of dirt trail, boardwalks, and a few short but rocky climbs, the terrain is ever-changing along with the views. The Bagley Lakes Trail may be short, but don’t cut yourself short on time — you may find you want to linger longer.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
Short, family-friendly hikes don’t get much better than the Bagley Lakes Loop. The trail is rugged enough to provide a sense of accomplishment, while short enough for many little legs to manage on their own. Adults will appreciate the views, while kids will love all the fun features to explore — boulders to climb, lakeside beaches for skipping rocks, and water for splashing at Lava Falls.
My ten-year-old loved Lava Falls, a small waterfall tumbling over basalt columns that crosses the trail on its way to Lower Bagley Lake. Take note, however, that for much of the summer season this waterfall is dry. We hiked in mid-June, when the water was still flowing.
While much of the trail is fairly level, there are a few brief rocky and steep sections. Very young hikers may need some guidance at these points. For the easiest option, hike out and back along the Bagley Lakes Trail rather than looping back on the Chain Lakes Trail. The Bagley Lakes Trail has less elevation gain (and you’ll get to see Lava Falls twice!).
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
If the hike around Bagley Lakes whets your appetite for more, consider extending your trek along the Chain Lakes Loop Trail. We hiked this trail as far as Herman Saddle the very next day, and the views were even more spectacular. Another (very) short option is the Fire and Ice Trail, located near the Heather Meadows Visitor Center. For more challenging options, consider Lake Ann, Ptarmigan Ridge, or Table Mountain. Important Note: These trails are only open from summer to early fall, and may be covered with snow into July. Check conditions ahead of your visit.
Looking to capture the iconic view of Mount Shuksan overlooking a gorgeous blue lake? Stop by Picture Lake, which you’ll pass shortly before arriving at the Bagley Lakes Trailhead. Roadside parking provides access to a flat, easy trail that leads to multiple viewpoints along the lakeshore. It takes only minutes to snap a few photos, but you may want to linger a little longer.
To further immerse yourself in this beautiful region, I recommend camping at Silver Fir Campground. We spent three nights at this small National Forest Service campground on the Nooksack River. Campsites fill well in advance for summer camping. From the campground, it’s about a twenty minute drive to the Bagley Lakes Trailhead. The campground is just twenty minutes from the tiny town of Glacier, where you’ll find groceries, gas, and a handful of restaurants.
On your way to or from Mount Baker, a quick detour off Highway 542 leads to Nooksack Falls. Although the view is somewhat obstructed, this mighty waterfall is worth a stop.
Our Experience
I almost missed the turnoff for the Bagley Lakes Trailhead. Luckily, I made a snap decision to pull into an unmarked parking lot to my right after we passed the ski lifts. Bingo! It turns out this large, mostly empty parking lot was in fact the trailhead, complete with a sign posted near the start of the trail. Why there is no signage along the road remains a mystery.
My son and I arrived before our friends did. Unfortunately, we missed our opportunity to flag them down as they drove past, heading for Heather Meadows. Thankfully, we had cell service, and sorted out the confusion over a phone call. Really, USFS, I know the budget is tight, but a sign would sure be helpful!
We enjoyed lunch at a picnic table by the trailhead, then headed out onto the trail. From the trailhead, the trail heads steeply but briefly downhill before reaching a junction. At this point, you can go right and cross the bridge to follow the Chain Lakes Trail, or go left to follow the Bagley Lakes Trail. We chose the Bagley Lakes Trail, with a plan to give the Chain Lakes Trail a try on the return.
The Bagley Lakes Trail sticks close to Lower Bagley Lake, following dirt trails and wooden boardwalks, culminating with a rocky climb to reach the upper lake. One of the highlights was crossing Lava Falls, where recent snowmelt created a seasonal waterfall streaming down basalt columns. The light spray from the falls was delightfully refreshing on a warm day.
The mountains drew closer as we approached Upper Bagley Lake. After climbing through the rocks, the trail leveled out again. On the slope above us, the trail from the Heather Meadows Visitor Center wound its way downhill before joining with the Bagley Lakes Trail. At this point, the trail turns to cross Bagley Creek at the base of Upper Bagley Lake. Two graceful stone arches lead form one boulder to the next, blending in beautifully with the natural environment.
After crossing the bridge, you have two choices. To head back to the trailhead, turn right and continue in a clockwise loop. But if you want to venture a little further, turn left to continue the hike along Upper Bagley Lake. We chose the latter option, walking alongside the lake until we found a convenient place to access the water. The small, pebbly beach didn’t offer much in the way of seating, but it was the perfect place to pause for a snack and skipping rocks. We ended up spending almost as much time here as we did hiking the entire trail. If you have kids, come prepared; they may not want to leave.
Eventually, it was time to make our way back. More intrepid hikers can continue on toward Artist Point (or Herman Saddle, as we did the following day), a much more strenuous yet rewarding option. For us, it was time to head back to the Bagley Lakes Trailhead, this time via the Chain Lakes Trail.
The Chain Lakes Trail turned out to be a bit rougher than the Bagley Lakes Trail, although not in a bad way. It climbed high above the lakeshore, often following a path hewn into the natural rock of the mountainside. We had to watch our feet as we made our way back down, crossing loose rock and a boulder-strewn creekbed. Water rushed down the mountainside, creating another temporary waterfall before fanning out across the trail.
The final stretch along the Chain Lakes Trail took us through lakeside meadows and stands of evergreens before we crossed the bridge at the base of Lower Bagley Lake. Now, all that remained was a quick climb back up to the parking lot.
Traveling with kids in multiple vehicles can be a little tricky, so we dutifully made sure everyone was accounted for before heading back to Silver Fir Campground. Before stepping into the driver’s seat, I turned for one last look. Beyond the trees, the Cascade Mountains beckoned, come back, come back…
Tomorrow, I promised. Tomorrow I will be back. We had one more day to revel in the wilderness, and the hike to Bagley Lakes was only the beginning.
