Maple Falls is a census-designated place in Whatcom County, Washington, located on the Mount Baker Highway east of Bellingham. The community recorded a population of 291 at the 2020 census. It sits three miles east of the junction at Kendall with State Route 547, along the route that leads toward Mount Baker and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The community's identity is tied to its role as a gateway to Mount Baker and the surrounding North Cascades. The Mount Baker Highway, State Route 542, carries travelers eastward from Bellingham into the mountains, passing through Maple Falls on the way to the Mount Baker Ski Area and the wilderness beyond. This position makes Maple Falls a waypoint for skiers, hikers, campers, and climbers heading into one of Washington's most celebrated mountain landscapes. Maple Falls is unincorporated, with a small residential population and a scattering of services along the highway. Nearby Kendall and Glacier are part of the same foothills corridor, and the community relies on Bellingham, roughly to the west, for most shopping, employment, and services. The surrounding area is characterized by forested foothills, creeks, and mountain views. Students in the area are served by the Mount Baker School District, which covers the eastern Whatcom County communities along the highway. The Mount Baker Ski Area, a short drive up the road, is known for its abundant snowfall, while summer brings hiking, mountain biking, and camping in the national forest. Today Maple Falls remains a quiet, rural mountain community whose defining feature is its position on the road to Mount Baker and the recreational opportunities that surround it.