Seasonal closure · SR-542 · Washington

Is the Road to Artist Point (SR 542) open?

Usually closes with the first snow (Oct. 15 in 2025). Reopened June 10 in 2026. Below: what the WSDOT feed is posting for SR-542 right now, and the dates WSDOT gives, quoted from its own page.

Posted for SR-542 right nowWSDOT via MileCheck · loading

Reading the WSDOT feed…

Reports whose route is SR-542, or whose text names the Road to Artist Point. Reloads every five minutes. Ramp, lane and shoulder reports are labeled, not counted as closures.

Usually closes: Each fall, typically with the first snowfall (2025: Oct. 15)
Usually reopens: 2025 opened June 27; 2026 reopened June 10
Closure segment: Final 2.7 miles of SR 542
2026-27 dates: No 2026-27 dates were posted on the source page when it was read.
Who decides: WSDOT.

What WSDOT says

“Crews close the road to vehicle traffic each fall for safety, typically with the first snowfall. In 2025, crews opened the Road to Artist Point on June 27 and closed it on Oct. 15.”

Source: wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2026/sr-542-road-artist-point-mount-baker-reopens-season-wednesday-june-10, read October 2, 2026.

Where to look next

Official source

WSDOT

Washington's DOT traveler site. The list of record for closures, restrictions and detours.

Winter roundup

Which roads close for winter in Washington?

Every seasonal closure MileCheck lists for Washington, with the dates each agency gives.

Road conditions

Washington road conditions

Every closure and crash WSDOT is posting, on one map with the mile marker.

Cameras

Washington highway cameras

Every WSDOT camera on one map, with the route and mile marker where the DOT gives one.

Questions, answered

When does the Road to Artist Point close for the winter?

Each fall, typically with the first snowfall (2025: Oct. 15) That is what WSDOT publishes, read October 2, 2026. The gate goes in when the snow does, so the date moves from year to year. No 2026-27 dates were posted on the source page when it was read.

When does the Road to Artist Point reopen?

2025 opened June 27; 2026 reopened June 10 Plowing and avalanche work set the day, and the agency announces it when the road is ready.

Where exactly does it close?

Final 2.7 miles of SR 542. The rest of SR-542 is handled like any other road in Washington.

Where do I check whether the Road to Artist Point is open today?

WSDOT is the official source for the state highway. The block at the top of this page reads the same WSDOT feed every five minutes and lists what is posted for SR-542. If the feed cannot be reached, the page says so instead of showing an empty list.

Does the MileCheck app show this closure?

The app shows the same WSDOT alerts on your route, ahead of your position, with the mile marker you are passing. The mile marker works offline in all 50 states. Live alerts are part of MileCheck Premium.

Know exactly where you are — live

Your mile marker shows even offline. WSDOT alerts on your route and the nearest camera are part of MileCheck Premium and need a connection to update. Runs on CarPlay and Android Auto.

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