The first mention of Silver Lake as a camping site was mentioned in the minutes of the Whatcom County Council in 1927, where it was reported that a "camp trip to Silver Lake was a success". From that time on the Council Executive Board began working on acquiring a camp. On March 20, 1929, an option was signed to purchase four lots on the east side of Silver Lake next to Peterson Creek, the cost:$2,000, donated by several area businesses.

In December 1929, the Whatcom County and Skagit County Councils merged to form the Mount Baker Area Council. During this merge, the name "Black Mountain Camp" was first mentioned.

The summer of 1930 marked the first use of Black Mountain Camp and the dedication of its new dining hall.

By 1940 there were indications that the original developed area for the camp was getting too small to accommodate the number of campers. Camp was closed from 1941 through 1943 because of the Second World War, and in 1944 an agreement was reached to purchase the Silver Lake Lodge and seven lake-side cabins (from a private resort). In 1945, an additional 39.5 acres was donated to the camp(at the north end of the lake).

Over the next decade, the camp grew in both size and development. A shower house was installed, a water storage tank, new swimming and boat docks, a boathouse and launch, and the first of several adirondacks.

In 1968-70, more improvements added to the development of the camp. A Craft Lodge and a new shower facility were built on the east side, and a Ranger's residence, an "A" frame, and maintenance building were added to the west side. Electrical power was hooked up to the east side in 1972.

Black Mountain Camp was closed from 1974 - 1976, due to Council financial problems. Area Scouts were sent to the Evergreen Area Council's Fire Mountain Scout Reservation.

The camp reopened in 1977 with a new name: Camp Black Mountain.

In 1990, nearly seven acres on the west and north sides of the lake were purchased, joining both the east and west sides of the camp. This new property added new parking, the present archery range, and a road.