Maple Falls is a small, outdoorsy town in the Cascade Range
Maple Falls, home to approximately 250 residents, is a tiny community in the Cascade Range of Washington state. The community provides impressive scenery, from its namesake waterfall to a natural freshwater lake surrounded by pine-covered mountains. Maple Falls also offers proximity to Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, a recreational wellspring, at attractive price points. “It’s a combination of affordability — it’s one of the most affordable markets in the county — and also a rural feel. There’s proximity to Mount Baker and opportunities to get out into nature,” says broker Jacob Petz, who works with Petz Real Estate and has about two decades of expertise in the area.
Ranch-style homes, contemporary homes and manufactured homes
The east side of the community has single-family homes on streets dense with fir and cedar trees. “Maple Falls proper is the town on the highway, and that’s primarily a residential area,” Petz says. The woodsy atmosphere gives this area a private, secluded feel. Ranch-style homes range from $400,000 to $460,000, while contemporary homes with rustic wood exteriors range between $520,000 to $650,000. On the south side of the town, The Glen at Maple Falls is a manufactured home community with a maximum occupancy of 120 days out of the year. Usually second homes or vacation homes, they range from $20,000 to $140,000. The Glen at Maple Falls offers community pools, tennis courts and river access. The town’s median sales price is $420,000, lower than nearby Glacier's median of $620,000.
Schools from Kendall Elementary to Mount Baker Senior High
On Niche, Kendall Elementary School has a C-minus rating. Mount Baker Junior High School scores a C, while Mount Baker Senior High School has a B-minus rating. The high school’s wide variety of courses range from floral design to stagecraft to finance.
Silver Lake Park and Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest recreation
A few miles north of town, Silver Lake Park features a picturesque reservoir ideal for swimming, fishing and kayaking. Maple Creek Park, near the town's small collection of shops, has a hiking trail through the forest that leads to Maple Falls, the community’s eponymous waterfall. About 10 miles east of the town lies an entry point to the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, over 1.7 million acres of land. Stunning views abound from the snow-capped peak of Mount Baker to natural mountain lakes. “There’s hiking in summer and winter sports like snowboarding, skiing, snowmobile access and snowshoeing,” Petz says. Just south of Maple Falls, the North Fork Nooksack River is an ideal place for rafting and fishing, with access points along the Mount Baker Highway.
Local businesses from Joe’s Coffee to Crossroads Grocery
On the east side of town, Maple Falls has a few local businesses that serve the community as well as the many tourists who pass through on the way to Mount Baker. Mainstay Joe’s Coffee is a relaxed cafe with breakfast food and a drive-through. “There’s a new sandwich shop in a gas station that's well reviewed,” Petz says. Last Gas Deli in the Maple Fuels gas station offers quick bites and a casual setting. At Crossroads Grocery, patrons can pick up essentials, including produce and eggs. The small town doesn’t have any major retail areas, so residents can drive the 30 miles to Bellingham for more shopping.
Maple Falls Bigfoot Festival and Twin Sisters Mobile Market
The annual Maple Falls Bigfoot Festival is one of the biggest events in the area. Every August the community celebrates the cryptid with live music, a beer garden and food trucks. A few miles west of Maple Falls, the North Fork Community Library hosts the Twin Sisters Mobile Market throughout the summer. The market sells locally sourced seafood, meats, produce and more.
A 30-mile commute to Bellingham and more transportation
Maple Falls is a car-dependent community. Via state Route 542, Maple Falls is about 30 miles from downtown Bellingham and Bellingham International Airport. The town is about 110 miles from Seattle via Interstate 5.
