MONTE CRISTO

Closed — The Mountain Loop Highway is closed for the winter season from Deer Creek to Bedal Campground, making Barlow Pass and the campground inaccessible during winter months. Typical operating season is summer through fall.

About

Monte Cristo Campground sits at the end of a scenic 4-mile walk or bike ride along the gated Monte Cristo Road, following the historic grade of the Everett and Monte Cristo Railroad. Surrounded by towering peaks including Cadet Peak, Del Campo Peak, and Monte Cristo Peak, the campground occupies what was once part of the Rattler Mining Claim, acquired by the U.S. Forest Service in 1951. The road offers spectacular views of jagged mountains and follows alongside the South Fork Sauk River, though the river crossing at mile 1 has no bridge. The campground features six sites nestled among vine maple and second-growth timber, each equipped with a picnic table, fire pit, and barbecue grill. A toilet is available on site. This primitive camp serves as an excellent base camp for wilderness exploration, with trailheads to Poodle Dog Pass-Silver Lake-Twin Lakes Trail and Glacier Basin Trail nearby, providing access into the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. Visitors must bring all drinking water, as surface water in the Monte Cristo area contains arsenic and other heavy metals exceeding drinking water standards. Standard backcountry water treatment methods will not remove these contaminants. The area is rich in mining history, with several patented mining claims and summer cabins on private land between Barlow Pass and the campground. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking at Barlow Pass.

Directions

From the Verlot Public Service Center (11 miles east of Granite Falls), travel east on the Mountain Loop Highway 19.5 miles to Barlow Pass. Park and proceed on foot or bike past the gate on Monte Cristo Road for 4 miles to reach the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds