Self-contained campers are welcome to spend the night in the Heather Meadows and White Salmon parking lots (no hook-ups, no charge), but the nearest accommodations are 17 miles down the mountain in Glacier.

Mt. Baker Lodging (800-709-7669; 599-2453; $$–$$$$), in Glacier, rents vacation houses, from cedar cabins to large-group chalets, all with kitchens and fireplaces. The Snowline Inn (800-228-0119; 599-2788; $–$$) rents studio units for up to four people and condo loft units for two to 10 people. Glacier Creek Lodge (800-719-1414; 599-2991; $–$$$) has motel and cabin units. Breakfast is included and pets are welcome.

There are a lot of small, charming B&Bs in the Glacier area with two or more rooms that are all in the same price range. Mt. Baker Bed and Breakfast (599-2299; $–$$) at 9447 Mt. Baker Highway near Glacier features three non-smoking rooms with views of the mountain, a hot tub, terry cloth robes and a five-course breakfast. Mt. Baker Cabins (599-2299; $-$$$$), eleven cabins managed by the Mt. Baker B&B owners, for a maximum of 3-10 people, are located in and around the town of Glacier. Some have hot tubs and/or swimming pools.

On the eastern shore of Silver Lake (599-2501, $$), just a short way from Glacier, Mystic Inn is pet friendly, private and quiet. Just across the street find King's Way Inn (599-2690; $$$), also pet friendly with breakfast included. Seventeen miles from the ski area on Cornell Creek (milepost 32.7 on the Mt. Baker Highway), discover Dislodge at Mt. Baker (599-1852; $$$), run by another pet-friendly couple. Mt. Baker View Guest House (599-2155), is in the heart of Glacier, just a block off Mt. Baker Highway and is also pet-friendly. Most all of Glacier is just darned pet-friendly!

Absolute Heaven Chalet Rentals (866-421-8495; $$$$) has a lovely log chalet that sleeps 6 inside the Mt. Baker Rim gated community near Glacier. It is complete with wood burning stove, propane BBQ, hottub, Internet, cable TV, DVD/CD player and games room with XBox, foosball and pinball. It's 5 minutes to restaurants and stores, and 30 minutes from the Mount Baker ski area. www.mtbakergetawaychalet.com.

The Inn at Mt. Baker (599-1776; $$), four miles west of Glacier, was specifically built to be a bed and breakfast and opened in 2000. Five luxurious rooms feature featherbeds, oversized tubs and wilderness views, and a gourmet breakfast is served in a dining room with picture windows looking out to the mountains. Not suitable for children younger than 16; no pets.

Bellingham, 56 miles from the ski area on I-5, has a wider range of accommodations, including Best Westerns and B&Bs. The Hampton Inn (800-426-7866; 676-7700; $–$$), near the Bellingham Airport, has fitness and business centers, free shuttles and tasteful rooms. Those older than 50 pay about $65 for a room for up to four people (only the person signing for the room needs to be older than 50). Rates include a 21-item free continental breakfast. They also offer ski packages with Mt. Baker.

You can reach the Bellingham "best buys" lodging reservation line at (888) 261-7795. Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism can be reached for more information at (800) 487-2032 or www.bellingham.org.

Accommodations Legend: (double room) $$$$–$200+; $$$–$141–$200; $$–$81–$140; $–$80 and less