Washington Mountain Pass Cameras
Live conditions at Snoqualmie, Stevens, White, and Chinook passes — check snow depth, chain requirements, and closures before you drive. For deep street-level coverage in Seattle, Spokane, or Tacoma, see our Washington State Traffic Guide. According to the FHWA, real-time traffic monitoring helps drivers make safer, more informed decisions. This is vital during the winter months; FHWA data shows that 24% of all weather-related crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement, and average speeds on arterials can decline by 30-40% during active snowfall.
VIEW PASS CAMERAS →Washington's Cascade Range splits the state in half, forcing all east-west traffic through a handful of mountain passes. Winter conditions change rapidly at these elevations — a clear road can become impassable in under an hour. WSDOT maintains camera networks at every major pass, and our platform lets you monitor them all from one place before committing to a 3,000+ foot climb.
Major Cascade Passes
Snoqualmie Pass (I-90)
3,022 ft elevation
The most-traveled pass in Washington. Cameras at North Bend, Summit West, Summit East, Hyak, and Easton cover the full approach and descent. Handles 30,000+ vehicles daily — the primary Seattle-to-Spokane corridor.
Stevens Pass (US-2)
4,061 ft elevation
Higher and more exposed than Snoqualmie. Cameras at the summit, Scenic, and the west approach monitor avalanche zones and winter closures. Popular ski area creates heavy weekend traffic November through April.
White Pass (US-12)
4,500 ft elevation
Southern Cascades crossing between Yakima and Lewis County. Less traffic than Snoqualmie or Stevens but higher elevation and more remote. Camera coverage at the summit and approaches.
Chinook Pass (SR-410)
5,432 ft elevation
Highest paved pass in Washington, closed entirely from November through late May. Cameras confirm seasonal opening dates and early/late season conditions near Mount Rainier.
Snoqualmie Pass: The I-90 Corridor
Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 is the most critical mountain crossing in the state. It carries the bulk of commercial freight and passenger traffic between the Puget Sound metro and Eastern Washington. At 3,022 feet, it's the lowest major Cascade crossing, which means it stays open more often — but also gets enormous volumes of traffic when other passes close.
According to the FHWA, real-time traffic monitoring helps drivers make safer, more informed decisions.
WSDOT cameras at North Bend (westside approach), Summit West, Summit East, Hyak, and Easton (eastside descent) give you a complete picture of conditions across the pass. During winter storms, check the summit cameras every 30 minutes — traction requirements can escalate from "advised" to "chains required" to full closure within an hour.
Snoqualmie Chain-Up Areas
Eastbound chain-up at North Bend (MP 34) and westbound at Easton (MP 70). Check cameras at these locations before departure — if the chain-up lots are full, expect significant delays even if the pass itself is open.
The Snoqualmie Pass ski areas (Summit at Snoqualmie, Alpental) generate heavy weekend traffic from November through April. Friday evening eastbound and Sunday afternoon westbound are the worst windows. Use cameras at North Bend to gauge backup length before leaving Seattle.
Monitor Snoqualmie Pass Now
Save the summit cameras to your favorites for one-tap checks before any east-west trip across Washington.
VIEW SNOQUALMIE CAMERAS →Stevens Pass: The US-2 Alternative
Stevens Pass at 4,061 feet on US-2 is higher and more exposed than Snoqualmie, with steeper grades and tighter curves. It's the preferred alternative when Snoqualmie closes, which means it can go from moderate traffic to gridlocked within minutes of an I-90 closure announcement.
WSDOT cameras at the summit, Scenic (west approach), and the east approach near Leavenworth monitor avalanche control zones, visibility, and road surface conditions. Stevens Pass is more prone to extended closures than Snoqualmie due to avalanche control work — blasting operations can close the highway for 2-4 hours at a time.
Avalanche Control Delays
WSDOT conducts avalanche control with explosives at Stevens Pass, sometimes pre-dawn. Closures during active control can last several hours with no vehicle movement. Check cameras before committing to US-2 during or after heavy snowfall — if visibility is near zero at the summit camera, expect extended delays or closure.
Stevens Pass ski area traffic follows the same pattern as Snoqualmie — Friday evening westbound approach and Sunday afternoon eastbound return create the worst congestion. The two-lane sections of US-2 west of the summit have no passing opportunities, so a single slow vehicle or minor incident creates miles-long backups.
White Pass and Chinook Pass
White Pass (US-12) at 4,500 feet connects Yakima to I-5 near Centralia through the southern Cascades. It sees far less traffic than the northern passes but is more remote — tow services and emergency response take longer. Camera coverage at the summit and approaches lets you verify conditions before a crossing where you're largely on your own.
Chinook Pass (SR-410) at 5,432 feet is Washington's highest paved pass, skirting the northeast flank of Mount Rainier. It closes entirely for winter, typically from November through late May or June depending on snowpack. Cameras help confirm seasonal opening — WSDOT announces target dates but actual opening depends on snow clearing progress visible on the cameras.
Blewett Pass (US-97) at 4,102 feet connects Ellensburg to Wenatchee through the central Cascades. Less dramatic than the main east-west passes but still requires attention during winter storms. Camera coverage monitors the summit and approaches.
Winter Storm Strategy
Check Snoqualmie Summit Cameras
Verify lane visibility and queue length on both sides of I-90 before heading up. If the chain-up lot at North Bend looks full, delay your departure.
Evaluate Stevens Pass as Backup
If Snoqualmie is closed or has 2+ hour delays, check Stevens Pass summit cameras. If Stevens is also showing poor visibility, consider delaying your trip entirely.
Scan Closure Gates
Check US-12 White Pass and SR-410 Chinook Pass cameras for gate positions before committing to southern Cascade routes as detours.
Monitor Flooding on I-5
During atmospheric river events, watch I-5 cameras near Chehalis — flooding can close I-5 and divert traffic onto mountain pass routes, creating unexpected congestion.
Build Your Pass Monitoring Dashboard
Group Snoqualmie, Stevens, and White Pass cameras into a single favorites list for side-by-side monitoring before any cross-state trip.
SAVE PASS CAMERAS →Best Times to Cross
| Pass | Best Window | Worst Window |
|---|---|---|
| Snoqualmie (I-90) | Tues-Thurs, mid-morning | Fri 3-8 PM, Sun 1-6 PM |
| Stevens (US-2) | Weekday mornings | Fri evening, Sun afternoon |
| White (US-12) | Anytime weekday | Holiday weekends |
| Chinook (SR-410) | Summer weekday mornings | Summer weekends (Rainier traffic) |
Winter crossings are safest mid-morning after WSDOT plows have made their first passes and before afternoon storm cells develop. Avoid night crossings when temperatures drop and black ice forms on cleared pavement.
WSDOT Traction Banners
WSDOT cameras often capture the digital traction requirement signs in the same frame as the road surface. Look for the illuminated banner showing "chains required," "traction tires advised," or "all vehicles chains" — this gives instant visual confirmation without leaving the camera feed.
Ferry Terminal Cameras
While not mountain passes, Washington State Ferry terminals face similar "check before you go" decisions. Ferry waits at Edmonds, Mukilteo, Bainbridge Island, and Kingston can exceed 2 hours on summer weekends and holidays. WSDOT cameras overlook the vehicle holding lots — the queue length is the most reliable indicator of how many sailings you'll wait.
The SR-520 and I-90 floating bridges across Lake Washington can also close during extreme wind events. Bridge cameras show swaying signs and wave conditions that precede closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if Snoqualmie Pass is open?
View WSDOT cameras at the Snoqualmie summit on our platform — search "Snoqualmie Pass" to find them. The cameras show road surface conditions, visibility, and traction requirement signs. If the camera shows zero visibility or a closure gate, the pass is closed or about to close.
When does Chinook Pass close for winter?
Chinook Pass (SR-410) typically closes in November and reopens in late May or June, depending on snowpack. WSDOT announces target opening dates each spring. Check our cameras to monitor snow clearing progress as the target date approaches.
Do I need chains for Washington mountain passes?
WSDOT enforces traction requirements at all major Cascade passes. Requirements escalate from "traction tires advised" to "chains required on all vehicles except AWD/4WD" to "chains required on all vehicles." Check pass cameras for the illuminated traction signs before departure.
Which Washington pass is the safest in winter?
Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 is the lowest (3,022 ft), most traveled, and best maintained. It has the most camera coverage, quickest plow response, and widest road surface. Stevens Pass is a viable alternative but higher and more avalanche-prone. White and Chinook passes are more remote with slower emergency response.
Can I see avalanche control activity on the cameras?
Sometimes. WSDOT cameras at Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass occasionally capture avalanche control operations or their aftermath (debris on the road, closure gates). More importantly, the cameras show whether the road has been cleared and reopened after control work.
Check Pass Conditions Before You Go
Don't get caught in a mountain whiteout or a 3-hour chain-up delay. Monitor all Washington Cascade passes with live WSDOT cameras — free, 24/7, on any device.
VIEW ALL PASS CAMERAS →