Chain Lakes Loop Backpacking Guide: Best Family Overnight Near Mount Baker

Chain Lakes Loop was one of our early family backpacking trips—and it remains one of the best introductions to alpine backpacking with kids. In one 6.5-mile loop, you get alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, stunning Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan views, and designated campsites that make planning straightforward.

We did this trip in August 2021 with our 5 and 6 year old, and it worked beautifully. After 15+ solo backpacking trips across Washington and so many family overnight adventures, Chain Lakes remains one of my top recommendations for families new to backpacking.

If you’re looking for a manageable overnight that feels like a real adventure, this is it.

Why Chain Lakes works for families:

• Short enough to complete in one day of hiking (even with elementary-age kids)
• Designated campsites at multiple lakes (easier than dispersed camping)
• Multiple lakes for playing and water access
• No permit required (but sites are first-come, first-served)
• Stunning scenery that keeps kids motivated
• Popular enough that you’ll see other families (reassuring for first-timers)

The challenges:

• Sites can fill up on peak summer weekends
• Weather changes dramatically—we experienced everything from sun to near-freezing in 24 hours
• The final climb back to Artist Point is brutal without a car shuttle
• It’s popular—you’ll have company (though we found solitude at Hayes Lake)

This guide covers exactly how to plan Chain Lakes with kids, where to camp, how to set up the car shuttle, and what we learned along the way.

Quick Trail Overview

Location: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, near Mount Baker Highway (SR-542)

Distance: ~6.5-mile loop

Elevation Gain: ~1,820 feet

Difficulty: Moderate (manageable for fit kids 5+)

Trail Type: Loop

Best Season: Late July to October (snow-free, wildflowers or fall color)

Permits: None required for overnight camping

Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required

Camping: Designated sites at Hayes Lake and Mazama Lake (first-come, first-served)

Our Trip: August 2021 with kids ages 5 and 6

Day Hiking: Very popular as a day hike—you’ll see lots of day hikers on the trail

Camping Strategy: Where to Sleep & How to Get a Site

Chain Lakes has designated camping at two main locations: Hayes Lake and Mazama Lake. Both are first-come, first-served—no reservations, no permits.

Hayes Lake vs Mazama Lake: Where Should You Camp?

Hayes Lake (where we camped):

• More spread out and private
• Several sites tucked higher up from the lake
• One large flat area right by the lake – this is where we set up, and it was incredible. Flat rock, lake access, stunning views. However, I believe this is actually the day-use area and may not be designated for overnight camping. When we were there in 2021, we saw others camping there too, but regulations may have changed. Check with rangers – they’ll tell you which sites are legal for overnight use.
• Privy available
• Farther into the loop if starting from Artist Point
• When we arrived at noon, Hayes Lake was empty while Mazama had a few groups

Mazama Lake (what I’d choose next time):

• Better views of Mount Baker
• More exposed, less private
• Closer to Artist Point start
• Tends to fill up first

The high route option : If you’re comfortable with less established camping, there are spots higher up near the viewpoint between Baker and Shuksan, overlooking Iceberg Lake. Check current regulations—these may not be official designated sites.

Site Availability Strategy

Our experience (August 2021, Saturday):

• Arrived at Hayes Lake around noon
• Hayes Lake was completely empty
• Mazama Lake had a few groups already set up
• By evening, Hayes Lake had filled in

General timing guidelines:

• Peak weekends (July-August): Arrive by early afternoon to guarantee a site
• Weekdays: More flexible, but still aim for early-mid afternoon
• September: Less crowded, better availability

Day hikers: Many people do Chain Lakes as a day hike, so you’ll see lots of traffic during the day. Evenings are quieter.

What If All Sites Are Full?

Backup options:

1. Continue higher to less-established sites (check regulations first)
2. Exit via Bagley Lakes and find car camping nearby
3. Complete it as a day hike instead (doable with kids)

Reality check: We got lucky with our noon arrival and found Hayes Lake empty. I wouldn’t count on that every time, especially peak summer weekends.

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🚗 The Car Shuttle Setup (Save Your Legs)

The climb from Bagley Lakes back up to Artist Point is steep and exposed—about 400 feet of elevation gain after you’re already tired. With kids, a car shuttle makes this trip so much better.

How We Did the Shuttle (One Car, One Adult Retrieves)

Morning Setup:

1. Drove entire family + gear to Artist Point parking lot
2. Unloaded everyone and all backpacks
3. I drove solo down to Heather Meadows parking (3 miles, 10 minutes)
4. Parked the car
5. Walked back up to Artist Point to rejoin family (~45-60 minutes uphill)
   • You can also try hitchhiking (many people do this successfully)
6. Started hiking clockwise from Artist Point

End of Trip:

• Finished at Heather Meadows where car was waiting
• Family waited while I retrieved car (this is key – more on why below)
• No brutal uphill climb with exhausted kids

Alternative: If you have two cars or can coordinate with another family, shuttle is even easier—just leave one car at each end.

No Shuttle Option

If you can’t set up a shuttle:

• Park at Artist Point
• Hike clockwise
• Accept that you’ll climb back up at the end
• Add 45-60 minutes and lots of snacks
• Consider hiking counterclockwise instead (ends with downhill, but harder with kids at the start)

Kid philosophy: Our kids carry their own sleeping system and clothes. We carry everything communal (tent, food, water treatment, safety gear).

Water Access & Playing at the Lakes

Chain Lakes has—as the name suggests—lots of lakes. Water access is easy, and kids love playing in the shallow sections.

Lakes you’ll pass:

• Mazama Lake – first camping option
• Hayes Lake – second camping option, where we stayed
• Iceberg Lake – stunning turquoise, great for playing (we didn’t swim but kids played in the shallows)
• Bagley Lakes – near the end of the loop

Our experience: We didn’t do full swimming (water is COLD), but the kids played in all the lakes—splashing, rock throwing, wading. Bring water shoes or sandals.

Water treatment: Always filter or treat water from the lakes. We used a gravity filter and had no issues.

Pro tip: Fill water bottles at Hayes Lake before leaving camp in the morning – Iceberg Lake is farther than it looks on the map.

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🐻 Bear Safety & Food Storage

This is bear country. Food storage is required.

What we used: BearVault BV500 bear canister

Where we stored it: 100 feet from our tent, away from the lake

What to know:

• Bear canisters are required (or Ursack in some areas—check current regulations)
• Marmots are common—they’ll chew through soft bags
• Store all scented items: food, toiletries, trash
• Never keep food in your tent

We didn’t see bears on this trip, but we’ve seen evidence of them in the area. Take it seriously.

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Trail Breakdown: What to Expect Hiking with Kids

Starting from Artist Point (clockwise):

Mile 0-1.5: Gentle ridge walking

• Wide open views immediately
• Kids loved this section—easy terrain, big scenery
• Lots of day hikers

Mile 1.5-3: Descent to Mazama Lake

• Some steep sections
• Rocky in places—trekking poles help
• First camping option

Mile 3-4: Mazama to Hayes Lake

• Gentler terrain
• More trees, some shade
• We arrived at Hayes around noon

Mile 4-5.5: Hayes Lake to Iceberg Lake area

• Rolling terrain
• Stunning views of both Baker and Shuksan
• Kids played at Iceberg Lake

Mile 5.5-6.5: Descent to Bagley Lakes

• Gradual downhill
• If you did the shuttle, this is where you’re glad you did
• Without shuttle: steep climb back to Artist Point from here

Total hiking time with kids: Plan 5-6 hours of actual hiking, plus breaks. We spread it over two days comfortably.

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The Moment My Son Hated Backpacking

Let me be honest about the low point: it happened at the very end.

After a fantastic trip—playing in the lakes, sleeping under the stars, telling stories around the tent—we reached the Heather Meadows parking lot. All we had left was walking up the road to retrieve our car from Artist Point.

My son threw his pack down on the pavement and announced: “I hate backpacking. It’s just like hiking but with weight.”

He wasn’t wrong.

What happened: We’d had a full day of hiking, he was tired, and that final uphill walk to get the car felt like one task too many. The magic was gone, reality had set in, and his patience was done.

What we learned:

• That last car retrieval? Have the kids wait at the parking lot. One adult retrieves the car alone.
• Or better yet: coordinate with another family so cars are already in place
• Keep emergency snacks for the very end (we’d run out)
• Don’t underestimate how much that final bit matters to tired kids

The next morning at home? He was already asking when we could go backpacking again. Kids are resilient like that.

But yeah—backpacking is just like hiking but with weight. He nailed it.

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Weather Reality Check

August in the alpine means unpredictable weather. In our 24 hours on trail, we experienced:

• Full sun and warm temps
• Wind (serious wind on exposed ridges)
• Rain
• Near-freezing temps overnight

What worked:

• Layering system for kids (base layer, fleece, rain jacket)
• Warm sleeping bags (we brought 20°F bags and were glad)
• Extra layers in our packs (kids went through all of them)

What we’d change:

• More warm layers for kids at camp
• Camp shoes (Crocs) for everyone
• Warmer hats for kids

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What We’d Do Differently Next Time

1. Camp at Mazama Lake for better Mount Baker views (even though it’s busier)
2. Have kids wait at the parking lot while one adult retrieves the car—that final uphill broke my son’s spirit
3. Pack more warm layers for the kids at camp—it got colder than expected
4. Bring camp shoes (Crocs) for everyone—getting out of boots matters
5. Verify camping regulations at that beautiful flat spot by Hayes Lake—I think it’s actually day-use only
6. Save extra snacks for the end—we ran out right when we needed them most

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✨ Why Chain Lakes is a Great Starter Trip

After multiple family backpacking trips, Chain Lakes remains one of our favorites for introducing families to overnight hiking because:

1. Short enough to feel manageable – kids can absolutely do 6.5 miles over two days
2. Designated sites reduce stress – you’re not hunting for flat ground or worrying about camping regulations
3. Stunning payoff – the views are incredible, which keeps kids motivated
4. You’ll see other families – reassuring when you’re new to this
5. Can be done as a day hike – if camping doesn’t work out, you have a backup plan
6. No permit lottery – just show up (early enough to get a site)

Who this trip is right for:

• Families with kids 5+ who are used to day hiking
• First or second overnight trip
• Families wanting alpine scenery without extreme difficulty

When to skip it:

• Very young kids (under 5)
• If your kids have never day hiked more than 2-3 miles
• Peak summer weekends if you can’t arrive early

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🗺️ Logistics & Planning

Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required at both Artist Point and Heather Meadows

Permits: None required for overnight camping (as of 2024—always check current regulations)

Best Season: Late July through September for snow-free hiking and wildflowers. September offers fewer crowds and fall colors.

Trailhead Amenities: Vault toilets at Artist Point. No water at trailheads.

Cell Service: Spotty to none on the trail

Navigation: Trail is well-marked. Download offline maps (AllTrails, Gaia GPS) as backup.

Nearby Services: Small towns of Glacier and Maple Falls have basic supplies. Stock up in Bellingham for full grocery/gear.

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Common Questions

Can we do this trip in one day?
Yes, many people day hike Chain Lakes. Plan 5-7 hours. Starting early is key.

What if we can’t get a campsite?
Arrive early (by noon on weekends). Backup: exit to car camping or complete as day hike.

How cold does it get at night?
Can drop near freezing even in August. Bring warm sleeping bags (20-30°F rating).

Are there bears?
Yes, this is bear country. Bear canister required. We didn’t see any but saw evidence.

Can young kids do this?
Our 5-year-old managed fine, but was experienced with day hiking. Younger than 5, I’d wait.

Will my kids hate it?
Probably at some point, yes. My son threw his pack down at the end and declared “I hate backpacking—it’s just like hiking but with weight.” He wasn’t wrong. But the next morning he was already asking when we could go again.

The key is managing the last stretch when everyone’s tired. Keep emergency chocolate, let kids drop their packs for the car retrieval, and remember: one bad moment doesn’t define the whole trip.

Should we day hike or backpack this?
Day Hike if: You’re testing the waters with kids, want less gear stress, or can’t arrive early for campsites.
Backpack if: You want the full experience of camping under the stars, seeing sunset/sunrise light on the peaks, and teaching kids overnight skills.

We chose to backpack because we wanted our kids to experience the rhythm of setting up camp, cooking dinner together, and waking up in the alpine. That’s what makes it an adventure, not just a hike.

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Final Thoughts

Chain Lakes Loop gave our family confidence that we could do this—that backpacking with young kids wasn’t just possible, but genuinely fun. Even with my son’s meltdown at the end (which we still laugh about), the trip was a success.

If you’re on the fence about your first overnight trip with kids, this is the one to try. Start planning early, set up that shuttle, pack warm layers, and don’t stress if you miss peak wildflower season. The views are incredible no matter when you go.

And remember: backpacking really is just hiking with weight. But it’s also so much more than that.

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**There’s your complete updated Chain Lakes post! Key improvements:**
– Added your son’s “just hiking with weight” moment
– Clarified the Hayes Lake camping spot situation
– Added “What We’d Do Differently” section
– Enhanced Common Questions with day hike vs backpack comparison
– Added more pro tips throughout
– Better conclusion
– Your expertise woven in naturally

**Ready to publish!**