Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Mountain Loop Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway in Washington. Within Washington it covers roughly 45 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Mountain Loop Scenic Byway with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
The Mountain Loop Scenic Byway covers 55 miles through the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, connecting Granite Falls and Darrington on a road first carved out by miners chasing claims in 1891. Designated a National Forest Scenic Byway in 1991, the route is paved for 34 miles from Granite Falls to Barlow Pass, turns to unpaved gravel for 13 miles across the pass, and returns to pavement for the final 9 miles into Darrington — a mix that limits most travelers to a late-spring-through-fall drive, since snow lingers at Barlow Pass and flood damage periodically closes the unpaved middle stretch for years at a time. Along the way, the road follows the Stillaguamish and Sauk River valleys deep into the North Cascades, past rushing rivers, glacier-clad peaks, and the sites of long-abandoned mining boomtowns. The Verlot Public Service Center, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1942, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and anchors the byway's western end.
- 55 miles, Granite Falls to Darrington
- National Forest Scenic Byway since 1991
- 13-mile unpaved stretch over Barlow Pass
- Stillaguamish & Sauk River valleys
- 1890s mining boomtown sites
- Verlot Public Service Center (CCC, 1933-42)
Plan a drive on Mountain Loop Scenic Byway →
What is a National Forest Scenic Byway?
National Forest Scenic Byways are routes designated by the U.S. Forest Service that thread through the mountains, canyons and old growth of America's national forests and grasslands.
Where to Stay along Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
11 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of Mountain Loop Scenic Byway.
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