Recreation Region: Darrington Ranger District

Mountain Loop Scenic Byway

Linking Darrington with Granite Falls is the Mountain Loop Highway National Forest Scenic Byway, which was first pioneered in 1891 by miners' dreams. Later developed as a road by loggers and members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, this road was designated a Scenic Byway in 1991. Today's roadway passes 55 miles through boom-and-bust town sites and abandoned claims, as well as rushing rivers and glacier-clad peaks. Although the tracks are gone and the daily whistle silenced, today's traveler can still see remnants of times gone by.

Discover the Verlot Public Service Center, near the South Fork Stillaguamish River. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1942, Verlot's handsome buildings reflect the architectural style and fine craftsmanship of that era and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Operating seasonally, the center's employees will help you plan an outing.

With snow lingering at Barlow Pass through late spring, driving the entire loop is usually limited to late spring through the fall. The road is paved from Verlot to Barlow Pass and from Darrington to the junction with the White Chuck River Road. The middle portion (14 miles) is a single-lane gravel road.

Mt. Loop Scenic Byway Guide

General Information

There are many campgrounds, picnic areas and trailheads conveniently located on the Mountain Loop Highway, in addition to the numerous Forest Service roads that depart from the Highway. Those recreation sites that are immediately adjacent to the Scenic Loop are, listed from Darrington west and southward towards Verlot:

Clear Creek Campground
Old Sauk North Trailhead
Old Sauk Universal Access Trailhead
Beaver Lake Trailhead
White Chuck Overlook (White chuck Boat Launch is a short jaunt off the main road)
North Fork Sauk Road
Bedal Campground (Elliot Creek/Goat Lake Trailhead is a short jaunt off the main road)
Barlow Pass Trailhead
Dickerman-Perry Trailhead
Big Four Picnic Area and Ice Caves Trailhead
Coal Creek Group Camp
Dick Sperry Picnic Area
Tulalip Mill Site Group Camp
Black Chief Mine Trailhead
Red Bridge Campground
Boardman Group Camp
Esswine Group Camp
Wiley Group Camp
Gold Basin Campground
Hemple Creek Picnic Area
Lake Twenty-Two Trailhead
Mt Pilchuck Road (accesses Mt. Pilchuck Trailhead)
Heather Lake Trailhead (about 1.5 miles off the Highway on Pilchuck Road)
Verlot Campground
Verlot Public Service Center
Turlo Campground

Recreation Passes honored for day use fee payment: Digital Passes, Northwest Forest Pass, and Interagency Recreation Passes. Washington State Discover Pass is not valid at US Fee Sites. 

*Suggestion: Download the recreation.gov app before your trip to have the ability to scan & pay digitally on-site. 

Sites requiring a fee on the Mountain Loop Trailhead:

White Chuck Boat Launch
Barlow Pass Trailhead
Dickerman-Perry Trailhead
Big Four Picnic Area and Ice Caves Trailhead
Hemple Creek Picnic Area
Lake Twenty-Two Trailhead
Mt. Pilchuck Trailhead
Heather Lake Trailhead

See Recreation.gov for Campground fees and reservations.

Sign for the Darrington Ranger District Station

Address: 1405 Emens Avenue North Darrington, WA 98241
Phone: (360) 436-1155
Hours: Regular hours: Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm; closed 12:00 - 1:00 pm for lunch. Closed Saturday & Sunday. (Closed on federal holidays)