Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Outfitters / Guides

The Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBS) partners with a number of private service providers to offer outstanding recreational opportunities in beautiful settings Forest-wide. These private companies, many of which are local businesses and institutional groups can outfit and guide Forest visitors on a variety of activities ranging from casual to high adventure. Guided casual activities include sight-seeing, wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking and snow-shoeing. More adventurous Forest visitors can choose to learn the ropes on technical rock and ice while climbing or skiing a volcano or they can enjoy the thrill of rafting a Wild and Scenic river! Our outfitter and guides also provide opportunities for education including avalanche and rescue skills, leadership, wilderness ethics and leave no trace.

Choosing to go with an outfitter and guide is not just for advanced individuals looking to hone their technical skills, it is for all ages and abilities. Trips with outfitters and guides, whether day trips or overnight, provide excellent opportunities to learn about the area, the environment and the skills needed for safe back-country travel. It is also a good way to simply visit areas you may be unfamiliar with or uneasy about visiting alone. That being said, each outfitter may cater to a certain core clientele, but these outfitters may also be willing to provide special trips and curriculum based on an individual clients/groups needs. If you think you may like the guidance or instruction provided by a particular outfitter you are encouraged to contact them directly to discuss recreation opportunities. These outfitters can provide opportunities for youth groups, clubs and or community recreation centers to visit the National Forest.

The following outfitter and guides currently operate under the terms of a Special Use Permit with the USDA Forest Service to use lands and waters administered by the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The Activity Table [pdf] indicates which outfitters provide various activities and links to their websites are provided below.

Does your outfitter have a permit? A business or entity needs a special use permit in order to use National Forest System land. The best way to find out if your outfitter has a permit to operate on this Forest is to ask them. Commercial use or activities on National Forest System Land or waters without a special use permit is punishable by fine or imprisonment. Please contact us if you are aware of businesses or entities that are operating on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest without a special use permit.

Climbing/Mountaineering

• Alpine Ascents International
• American Alpine Institute
• Mountain Madness
• Northwest Mountain School
• Pro Guiding

Backpacking

• Camp Nor’Wester (youth)
• Hidden Valley Camp (youth)
• Whatcom County Parks and Recreation
• Wilderness Ventures (youth)

Interpretation / Education

• National Outdoor Leadership School
• North Cascades Institute

Hiking

• Everett Parks & Recreation (day hikes)
• Whatcom County Parks and Recreation (day trips)

Stock Pack-In Trips

• Icicle Outfitters & Guides

Snow Shoe

• Everett Parks & Recreation

Rafting Guides

Note: Other operators who conduct guided trips on the Skagit but are non-commercial and take clients associated with a club, an employees group, or military personnel.

• BEWET (Boeing Employees Whitewater and Excursion Trips)
• Fort Lewis Outdoor Recreation Center
• Puget Sound Naval Shipyards Outdoor Recreation Center
• Reachout Expeditions (Youth Dynamics)
• McChord Air Force Base Morale Welfare and Recreation Division

Note: For the Upper Skagit River (Newhalem to Copper Creek), Outfitter and Guide Concessions are handled through North Cascades Park Headquarters in Sedro Woolley. Call 360-854-7200.

Fishing Guides

These guides offer services on a wide variety of rivers as well as the Skagit and Sauk Rivers.

US Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Last Modified: Friday, 22 August 2008 at 20:26:49 EDT