Whatcom County Parks Directory

Arroyo Park

Vegetation fully covers the park and the trails that run through it, making it a great place for a brisk run or walk among the wildlife.
Location: South Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 north take exit 250, take a left onto Old Fairhaven Parkway, left onto Chuckanut Drive, left onto Lake Samish Road and the park is on the right.
Parking/access: Easy access to trails and small parking area
Size: 67.9 acres
Amenities: Trails
Special features/highlights: Trails allow dogs to be off-leashes
Seasonal use: Open all year 

Bellingham Dirt Jump Park

Located next to the Bellingham Skate Park, the dirt jump park has jumps and lines for riders of all levels. The 12 original jumps change from time to time because of maintenance. Inspect all jumps before you ride, do not ride when it is wet or muddy and do not alter the jumps. 
Directions: From I-5 north take exit 253, go right off the exit, turn left onto Lakeway Drive and another left on Puget Street. The park is on the left.
Size: 32,000 square feet
Park hours: 8 a.m. to dusk 
Information: 360-676-6985

Bellingham Skate Park

The Bellingham Skate Park has a variety of ramps, vertical walls, rails and more. The park was designed for skateboarding; no bikes are allowed
Directions: From I-5 north take exit 253, go right off the exit, turn left onto Lakeway Drive and another left on Puget Street. The park is on the left.
Size: 13,300 square feet
Park hours: 8 a.m. to dusk 
Information: 360-676-6985

Big Rock Garden

The park is known for its more than 25 permanent pieces of artwork, featured exhibition artists, native and exotic plants, trails to explore and places to rest to take in all the park has to offer.
Location: North Bellingham
Directions: I-5 north take exit 254, take a right onto Iowa Street, turn left onto Woburn Street, turn left onto Alabama Street, go up the hill, take a left onto Crestline Drive, stay to the left on West Crestline Drive. When the road forks, take a right onto Illinois Street and then left onto Sylvan Street.
Parking/access: Easy access to the park - once a person finds it - and a small parking lot
Size: 2.7 acres
Amenities: Pathways, trails, Lake Whatcom viewpoint and restrooms
Special features/highlights: Sculpture garden, display gardens, greenhouse and summer events. No Dogs Allowed.
Seasonal use: Open all year with varying seasonal hours
Reservations, information: 360-676-6985 

Birch Bay State Park

Panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains and several islands make this park an ideal spot for a family day trip or a weeklong vacation. A person may fish or just relax and watch the small waves lap on the shore at the rocky beach.
Location: Birch Bay
Directions: From Interstate 5 take exit 256, go west onto Grandview Road, take a right onto Jackson Road, take a left onto Helweg Road.
Parking/access: Easy access to the park and lots of parking
Size: 194-acre camping park with 8,255 feet of saltwater shoreline
Amenities: Picnic facilities, basketball court and six fire circles
Special features/highlights: Swimming, boating, skimboarding, camping, fishing, amphitheater, interpretive activities, clamming and crabbing
Group use: Six sheltered picnic tables and one large shelter with water and electricity
Seasonal use: Open all year with some campsites closed in the winter
Reservations, information: 1-888-226-7688
Fees/permits: $5 parking fee 

Blaine Skate Park

The Blaine Skate Park is open to the public even though construction is still taking place. Seven different types of ramps are operational and a total of 10 will be built. The Blaine Skate Park allows both skateboards and bikes.
Directions: From I-5 north take exit 276 toward Highway 548/Blaine city center, turn left onto Peace Portal Drive, turn left onto F Street, which becomes Third Street, and follow until G Street. Park is behind the library.
Size: 9,200 square feet
Park hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Information: www.extremesportsclub.org

Bloedel Donovan Park

This lakeside park has a top-notch playground, built in 1999, with features for kids big and tiny. There's the lake, with swimming in the summer. Kids can also watch boats or the antics of off-leash dogs. Kids often take over the beach volleyball court as a giant sandbox. There's an old steam locomotive for the benefit of rail-obsessed little boys. Families can also cross Electric Avenue to connect with the trails of Whatcom Falls Park.
Location: North Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 north, take exit 254 and go right onto Iowa Street, take a left onto Woburn Street, turn left onto Alabama, go over the hill and the park is on the right.
Parking/access: Easy access with a large parking lot
Size: 18-acre park with access to a 4,970-acre lake
Amenities: Swimming area, beach, boat launch, open play area, playground, picnic facilities, full basketball court, field with baseball backstop and sand volleyball
Special features/highlights: Watercraft rentals, 4,368-square-foot multipurpose gymnasium and great views. From May 1 to Oct. 31, dogs are allowed off-leash from 6 to 10 a.m. From Nov. 1 to May 1, dogs are allowed off-leash all day
Group use: Three shelters available for rental
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-6985 

Boulevard Park

Bellingham's favorite waterfront access, this park has grass to play on, flat paths to walk on, shorelines to explore and a spectacular boardwalk to travel on. The boat-shaped playground, added in 1994, is limited, especially for older kids, but in this setting kids won't miss it.
Location: South Bellingham
Directions: Leaving downtown Bellingham, head toward Fairhaven on State Street, which will turn into the Boulevard. The upper level of the park will appear on your right. Turn right on Bayview Drive to the main parking lot of the park.
Parking/access: Easy access, parking on State Street and a large parking lot at the main level of the park
Size: 20.5 acres
Amenities: Large, open grass area, playground and picnic facilities
Special features/highlights: Boat dock, boardwalk, view parking off of State Street, sheltered viewing area and the South Bay Trail
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-6985 

Chuckanut Bay Park

Kayak out into Chuckanut Bay, examine the wildlife or venture down to Teddy Bear Cove and examine the tide pools filled with colorful sea creatures.
Location: South Bellingham
Directions: To reach the Chuckanut Tidelands, otherwise known as Mud Bay: From Interstate 5 take exit 250, go west onto Old Fairhaven Parkway, take a left on 12th Street, and turn left onto Chuckanut Drive. Take a right onto 21st Street, which rounds a corner and turns into Fairhaven Street, and follow it to the water.
To get to Teddy Bear Cove, stay on Chuckanut Drive and park in the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead on the left. Follow the trail to California Street, then take the Interurban Trail to the Teddy Bear Cove junction. Cross Chuckanut Drive and walk down the steep trail and across the railroad tracks to the cove.
Parking/access: Limited access and small parking lot at Chuckanut Tidelands. Larger parking lot at North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead, which is a 1.3-mile hike away from Teddy Bear Cove.
Size: 68.7-acres of Chuckanut Bay tidelands.
Major amenities: Trails
Special features/highlights: 68.7 acres of tidelands, wildlife viewing, clam digging, calm area for kayaking and swimming.
Seasonal use: Open all year 

Cornwall Park

A large, shaded park with a variety of activities ranging from disc golf to tennis. The playground equipment at the north end of this park is among the best in town, and the setting itself invites play. Broad, flat trails crisscross the park, great for strolling or biking. The park's big old trees provide a wild area to explore. Kids can throw sticks and fir cones into Squalicum Creek. In fall, they can spot spawning salmon. In summer they can use the spray park, which was added in 2004.
Location: North Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 take exit 255, go west off of the exit onto Sunset Drive, take a right onto Illinois Street, then take a right onto Cornwall Avenue, go past the Cornwall Rose garden and the park's south entrance is on the left. Or, to take the north entrance, take exit 256 from Interstate 5, turn south on Meridian, then turn left into the park.
Parking/access: Easy access and plenty of parking with two entrances
Size: 69 acres
Amenities: Two fields with a baseball backstop, picnic facilities, four tennis courts, basketball court, two playgrounds and a spray park
Special features/highlights: Disc golf, spray park, and horseshoe courts
Group use: Two large shelters available for rent
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-6985 

Elizabeth Park

Hidden away within Bellingham, this small park may be enjoyed by playing tennis or viewing the Victorian architecture among 100-year-old trees. This is an old-fashioned city park with graceful hardwood trees, a gazebo, a fountain and pathways as well as an excellent playground, built in 1999. It is also the best place in town to find shade on a hot day. Kids may come for the playground and end up playing in the trees.
Location: Central Bellingham
Directions: Take West Holly Street north away from downtown. Turn right onto Broadway. Turn left onto Washington Street and left again onto Elizabeth Street. 
Parking/access: Limited street parking
Size: 4.5 acres
Amenities: Picnic facilities, two tennis courts, basketball half-court and playground
Special features/highlights: Shade and a fountain
Group use: Gazebo available to be rented for community events
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-6985 

Fairhaven Park

A great place to take the kids, find a game of pick-up basketball or hold a family get-together. This park has a spray park and a big playground, both built in 2004. It has access to Padden Creek and the Interurban Trail. Kids can play in the spray park in the summer, watch for salmon in the creek in the fall and sled in the winter.
Location: South Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 take exit 250, go west onto Old Fairhaven Parkway, take a left onto 12th Street, turn left onto Chuckanut Drive. The park is on the left.
Parking/access: Easy access with a medium-sized parking lot
Size: 30 acres
Amenities: Large field with a baseball backstop, playground, picnic facilities, full basketball court and two tennis courts
Special features/highlights: Spray park
Group use: One large and one small shelter available for rent
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-6985 

Galbraith Mountain

This area is a haven for mountain biking enthusiasts with maintained trails and manmade obstacles. People must be aware of the surrounding private property.
Location: South Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 take exit 252, turn onto Samish Way and continue to Lake Padden Park. Use the third parking lot on the right. Enter via Galbraith Lane, on the other side of Samish Way.
Parking/access: Difficult access with no public roads directly into the area. The parking is limited across the street from Galbraith Lane. Absolutely no parking is allowed on private property.
Size: The trails and obstacles sections, managed by the Whatcom Independent Mountain Pedalers, total 3,600 acres.
Special features/highlights: Manmade obstacles for the mountain-biking enthusiast.
Seasonal use: Open all year 
Park hours: 8 a.m. to dust

Hovander Homestead Park

A park that was once a family farm now has something for the entire family, such as the award-winning fragrance garden or the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center.
Location: Ferndale
Directions: From I-5 take exit 262 and go west toward downtown Ferndale. Take a left onto Hovander Road after the railroad underpass, take a right onto Nielsen Avenue and follow the signs to the park.
Parking/access: Lots of parking and easy access
Size: 720-acre park
Major amenities: Picnic facilities, playground, fishing facilities and open grass fields
Special features/highlights: Tennant Lake, interpretive walks, wildlife displays, nature trails, Hovander Homestead open house, elevated boardwalk through the wetlands, 50-foot viewing tower, fragrance garden. Dogs are allowed off-leash in designated areas.
Group use: Five shelters available for rental
Seasonal use: The park is open year-round, with the exception of the fragrance garden and the Homestead House that are open only during the summer months.
Reservations, information: 360-384-3064
Fees/permits: All non-county residents must pay a $4 parking fee. Also there is a $1 Homestead House tour, $2 animal touch corral. 

Lake Padden Park

One of Bellingham's most popular parks, with plenty of green space for activities, a lake warm enough to swim in during the summer and a scenic walking trail.
Location: South Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 take exit 252 and turn south onto Samish Way. Continue along Samish Way to the park, which has two entrances, both on the right.
Parking/access: Large lots at west entrance, lot and boat ramp at east entrance.
Size: 832-acre park and 151-acre lake
Amenities: Swimming area, non-motorized boat launch, picnic facilities, tennis courts, two baseball fields and trails
Special features/highlights: Safe swimming and rafting area, horseshoe courts. For dogs there is a fenced off-leash area and a water exercise area near the softball field; and leashed dogs are allowed on all trails except the one circling the lake
Group use: Two group shelters available for rent
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-6985 

Lake Terrell

Enjoy the outdoors by watching the waterfowl and bald eagles at this wildlife park, try your hand at fishing off the dock or hunting in the game park.
Location: West Ferndale
Directions: From I-5 take exit 260, turn west on Slater Road, drive to Lake Terrell Road, turn right, and follow it to the end.
Parking/access: Easy access and ample parking.
Size: 1,500-acre park
Amenities: Two docks and a small boat launch
Special features/highlights: 1,500-acre game range. No wake allowed by boats on the lake.
Seasonal use: Fishing from any floating device except on a dock is prohibited the first Saturday after Labor Day through the following Friday and Oct. 1-Jan. 31.
Fees/permits: Access Stewardship Decal required for parking available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. 

Larrabee State Park

Washington's first state park has a lot to offer. Fishing, hiking, camping, bird watching and unbelievable views make it the perfect place to stop for a day or camp for a week and explore the entire park
Location: South Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 take exit 250, turn west onto Old Fairhaven Parkway, take a left on 12th Street, then left onto Chuckanut Drive and follow it to the park.
Parking/access: Easy access to the park and lots of parking
Size: 2,683-acre camping park with 8,100 feet of saltwater shoreline
Amenities: Hiking and biking trails, picnic facilities, boat launch and camping
Special features/highlights: Amphitheater, fire circle, fishing, crabbing, diving, swimming, interpretive activities, Chuckanut Mountain and Clayton Beach
Group use: Group camp and two picnic shelters; all can be reserved
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 1-888-226-7688
Fees/permits: $5 parking fee, $5 boat-launching fee 

Lighthouse Marine Park

This park located on Point Roberts offers a wide range of activities, such as walking along the half-mile stretch of saltwater beach, whale watching or camping.
Location: Point Roberts
Directions: Bring proof of citizenship and fill your gas tank before you go. Take I-5 north through the border at Peace Arch State Park in Blaine. Drive approximately 18 miles north on Highway 99 in British Columbia. Take Highway 17 west to 56th Street. Turn left on 56th Street and follow it to the Point Roberts border crossing. Once you cross the border take Tyee Road south until it turns to Marina Drive. Follow Marina Drive south and west, where it will turn to Edwards Drive. Turn left into the park.
Parking/access: Easy access and lots of parking
Size: 22-acre park
Amenities: Shelters, picnic facilities, boat launch, 140-foot dock and campsites.
Special features/highlights: 52,000-square-foot boardwalk, the Orca Center, two-story whale-watching tower.
Group use: Group shelters available for rent.
Seasonal use: The boat dock is open from May to mid-September; campsites are available from April to Nov. 1.
Reservations, information: 360-733-2900
Fees/permits: $4 parking fee for noncounty residents. 

Little Squalicum Park

This little-known park, located at the mouth of Little Squalicum Creek, offers great views of Bellingham Bay with plenty of driftwood to use as benches.
Location: North Bellingham
Directions: Leaving downtown Bellingham, take West Holly Street, which turns into Eldridge Avenue and eventually Marine Drive. Stay on Marine Drive, go past Lindbergh Avenue and over the bridge, then take a right into the park's parking lot.
Parking/access: Limited access and small parking lot.
Size: 22.3 acres
Amenities: Trails, beachcombing, 200 linear feet of shoreline and bay views 
Special features/highlights: Dogs are allowed on trails and the creek; but must be on leash on the beach
Seasonal use: Open all year 

Marine Park

A beautiful stretch of waterfront nestled behind the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. It offers a quiet place to relax in the grass or have a picnic while watching the boats pass.
Location: South Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 take exit 250, turn west onto Old Fairhaven Parkway, then right on 12th Street. Turn left on Harris Avenue and follow the road past the railroad tracks, where a side road to the left will lead to the park.
Parking/access: Easy access and lots of parking
Size: 1.9 acres
Amenities: Picnic facilities.
Special features/highlights: Bay views, sandy beach and close access to the ferry terminal
Group use: Covered picnic area
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-2500 

Maritime Heritage Park

Take a nap on a grass field, attempt to catch some fish or stop in at the environmental education center to learn about the fish hatchery.
Location: Downtown Bellingham
Directions: Drive down West Holly Street out of downtown Bellingham and the park is on the right.
Parking/access: Easy access, limited parking on Holly Street and parking lots off of D Street and Prospect Street.
Size: 11.2 acres
Amenities: Open play area, picnic facilities and playground
Special features/highlights: Fishing area, fish hatchery and amphitheater.
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-6985 

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Whether it's shredding the slopes on a snowboard, scaling a glacier-draped volcano, or just taking a scenic drive, the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest offers thousands of acres of outdoor recreational opportunities. The forest includes picnic areas, scenic viewpoints, winter and water-sport areas, camping and more than 1,500 miles of hiking trails. It's home to the rugged peaks of the North Cascades, and its eastern border is adjacent to North Cascades National Park. The most prominent feature of the forest, and the Whatcom County skyline, is Mount Baker -- a 10,788-foot volcano that in addition to providing breathtaking views is a popular climbing destination.
Location & Size: The national forest and North Cascades National Park cover the eastern two-thirds of Whatcom County. A portion of the national forest stretches the length of the county and is about a quarter of the county’s 2,126 square miles. The entire national forest is about 140 miles long. Its northern boundary is the U.S.-Canada border, and its southern boundary is Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County. Although less than a quarter of the national forest is in Whatcom County, the majority of its 534,334-acre Mount Baker Ranger District is here. The district overlaps Skagit County as far as the Skagit River drainage.
Directions: The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is accessible from two highways and a number of Forest Service roads in varying conditions.
From Bellingham, take Interstate 5 north to Exit 255. Then drive east on Highway 542, the Mount Baker Highway, which ends in 56 miles at Artist Point in the national forest.The last 24 miles of the Mount Baker Highway, from the town of Glacier to Artist Point, are designated a National Scenic Byway.
Or from Bellingham, take Interstate 5 south to exit 230 and drive east on Highway 20, the North Cascades Highway. The highway crests in about 65 miles, in the heart of the forest surrounded by the toothy peaks of the North Cascades.
Information: Mount Baker Ranger District Office: 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284; (360) 856-5700, Ext. 515
Glacier Public Service Center: Glacier, WA; 599-2714
Heather Meadows Visitors Center: milepost 56 on the Mount Baker Highway; usually open July to September, depending on weather; no phone.
Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/ 
Permits/Fees: A Northwest Forest Pass is required.

North Cascades National Park

The North Cascades National Park Service Complex covers 684,000 acres including the national park, which is mostly wilderness, and Ross Lake and Lake Chelan recreation areas. Most Whatcom County residents live on about 500,000 acres west of national park and forestland. The North Cascades National Park Complex spans 684,000 acres from Mount Shuksan east to Ross Lake and from the Canadian border south to Lake Chelan.The complex, which Congress established in 1968, includes the national park and the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan recreation areas, which allow uses, like hunting, not typically found in national parks. The national park itself is almost entirely wilderness and still has places you can only get to by bushwhacking your own trail. The area features a variety of trails, scenic lookouts, campgrounds and boating. The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, run by the North Cascades Institute by Diablo Lake, features classes, lodging and adventure programs.
Location: Along the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20).
Directions: Take Interstate 5 to Highway 20, in Burlington. Head east for about 60 miles. There is no car access to the Stehekin Valley and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. There is a trail off Highway 20 and a passenger ferry and plane access from the town of Chelan, on U.S. Highway 2. The only road to the shore of Ross Lake is the Silver-Skagit Road, a gravel road from Hope, B.C., although there is no legal access back to the United States from there.
Size: 684,000 acres
Amenities: Lodging, camping, food, a marina, tours and bicycle rentals
Seasonal use: Snow typically closes the highway east of Ross Lake between mid-December and late April.
Reservations, information: www.nps.gov/noca/, (360) 856-5700, Ext. 515.
Fees/permits: There is no entrance fee, but visitors must pay for front-country camping, using the docks on Lake Chelan and parking at certain trailheads. Permits are required for backcountry camping, including boat-in campsites. 

Riverside Park

Located along the banks of the Nooksack River, this park offers a place to play a variety of sports, great views or a spot for a quick swim.
Location: Everson
Directions: From I-5 take exit 256, turn north on Guide Meridian, take a right onto Pole Road (State Route 544), take a left onto Everson Goshen Road (also State Route 544) and stay on it until it crosses the Nooksack River (it will change names but stay on the road). At West Main Street, turn left and follow that road onto Park Drive. The park is on your left.
Parking/access: Easy access to park and ample parking
Size: 8.5 acres
Major amenities: Soccer field, baseball field, playground and picnic facilities
Special features/highlights: Located next to the Nooksack River
Seasonal use: Open all year 

Roosevelt Park

An inner-city park that is a great place to take kids, play a game of pick-up basketball or play baseball in the open field. In 2004, the city of Bellingham turned this into a neighborhood park like no other. The large playground features areas for big kids and little kids. The big kids' area includes a new style of climber built to be more challenging for older kids. It looks like modern sculpture with squiggly metal things fitting into plastic blobs, providing lots of places to twirl, slide or clamber. Kids can also explore the restored course of Fever Creek, play on the grass or use a basketball hoop.
Location: Central Bellingham
Directions: From I-5, take exit 254, take Iowa Street east, turn left onto Pacific Street, right onto Texas Street and right onto Verona Street. Follow Verona Street to the end.
Parking/access: Easy access and parking lot
Size: 9 acres
Amenities: Picnic facilities, playground, large field with baseball backstop and two basketball courts
Special features/highlights: Small creek
Seasonal use: Open all year 

Samish Park

A large park tucked back in the woods next to Lake Samish with stunning views and plenty of entertainment. Take a swim, rent a rowboat or have a picnic at one of the many facilities along the lake.
Location: South of Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 south take exit 246. Turn left at the stop sign. Proceed down North Lake Samish Drive, veer right at the fork in the road. Continue along lakeside. Samish Park is on the right side before crossing the bridge.
Parking/access: Easy access and limited parking on busy summer days
Size: 39-acre park and 809-acre lake
Amenities: Enclosed swimming area, fishing dock, hiking trails, picnic facilities and playground
Special features/highlights: Waterfall, nonpower boat rentals and seasonal food concession.
Group use: Day lodge available for group use
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-733-2362
Fees/permits: $2 non-Whatcom County resident parking fee 

Sehome Hill Arboretum

Take a walk through Western Washington University's campus and then a short hike to a breathtaking view of the San Juan Islands and outlying county.
Location: Western Washington University, Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 take exit 252 and turn north onto Samish Way, then turn left onto Bill McDonald Parkway. Stay on the road until you pass Sehome High School, then turn right onto 25th Street across from the Washington Archive building. Bear right onto Arboretum Drive.
Parking/access: The park has easy access, but a person has to walk to the viewing tower. Parking is available at the south entrance.
Size: 175 acres
Amenities: Trails
Special features/highlights: Eighty-foot viewing tower and WWU sculpture walk. Dogs allowed off leash on secondary trails, but must use a leash on main trails.
Seasonal use: Open all year 

Semiahmoo Park

Enjoy beachcombing, walking your dog or the breathtaking views of the San Juan Islands or Mount Baker on a sand spit with a paved shoreline walkway.
Location: Northern Blaine
Directions: Exit I-5 onto Birch Bay-Lynden Road and follow that road west until it ends. Take a right onto Harborview Road, take a left onto Lincoln Road, which turns into Semiahmoo Parkway and goes to the park. Parking lot is on the left.
Parking/access: Easy access to the park and a small parking lot
Size: 17.92 acres
Amenities: Picnic facilities and paved walking path
Special features/highlights: Maritime museum and 274 acres of tidelands
Seasonal use: Open all year

Silver Lake Park

Located outside of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Silver Lake Park offers camping facilities and a variety of daily activities.
Location: Maple Falls
Directions: From I-5 take exit 255 and drive east on Mount Baker Highway to Maple Falls. Take a left onto Silver Lake Road. The park is on the right.
Parking/access: Easy access to the park and ample parking
Size: 411-acre park and a 180-acre lake
Amenities: Fishing, camping, boat launch and picnic facilities
Special features/highlights: Gerdum Historical House, Black Mountain Forestry Center, watercraft rentals, seasonal food concession, tackle shop, horse stables, showers, RV dumps. No boats over 10 horsepower are allowed on the lake.
Group use: Day and overnight lodges available for rent along with single and group campsites.
Seasonal use: The park is open all year, but the boat rentals are seasonal.
Reservations, information: 360-599-2776
Fees/permits: $4 parking fee for noncounty residents.

Stimpson Family Nature Reserve

A wildlife reserve that gives a person the ability to examine nature while walking on a 3.1-mile trail that leads to and around a beaver pond.
Location: Bellingham
Directions: From I-5 take exit 253 onto Lakeway Drive and follow the road west until it turns into Cable Street. Turn right onto Austin Street, which will turn into Lake Louise Road. Look for the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve sign on your left.
Parking/access: A hike to get into the park with limited wheelchair access and a small parking lot. No dogs or bikes allowed.
Size: 344-acre reserve and 138-acre lake
Amenities: Park benches
Special features/highlights: 3.1-mile hiking trail 

Toad Lake

A secluded lake property that provides a way to beat the crowds whether a person is looking to swim or fish.
Location: North Bellingham
Directions: Take Mount Baker Highway east, take a right on Britton Road, left on Hillsdale Road, a left on Toad Lake Road, and at the fork in the road stay left onto the gravel road.
Parking/access: Limited access and no public parking
Size: 33-acre lake
Amenities: Small boat launch and dock
Seasonal use: Open all year
Fees/permits: Access Stewardship Decal parking permit required to park near the lake (available anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold). 

Whatcom Falls Park

One of the most popular parks in the county. It comes fully loaded with waterfalls, a fish hatchery, an elaborate trails system, tennis and basketball courts and more.
Location: Bellingham
Directions: From Interstate 5 take exit 253. Turn east onto Lakeway Drive and follow the road until you reach a sign saying Whatcom Falls Park. Turn left onto Silver Beach Road. Follow it to the end. Or take the next right onto Arbor Street.
Parking/access: Easy access and lots of parking
Size: 251 acres
Amenities: Picnic facilities, two playgrounds, open field with baseball backstop, tennis courts, full-court basketball, trails
Special features/highlights: Fishing pond, historical stone bridge, fish hatchery, Whatcom Creek and Whatcom Falls. Dogs allowed off leash on trails north of the creek.
Group use: One small and one large shelter
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-6985

Zuanich Point Park

Pay homage to fallen fishermen of the past at the Fisherman's Monument, fly a kite or enjoy the bay view on a comfortable patch of grass. A ship-shaped playground takes one corner of Bellingham's best field for kite flying. Flat paved pathways curve around inviting cyclists and in-line skaters (novices should stay away as there are some big drops on the side of the paths.) The curious can check out the boats in Squalicum Harbor and the trains in the distance.
Location: Bellingham Marina
Directions: Take Roeder Avenue away from downtown. Turn left onto Coho Way. Bear left through the harbor complex until you come to the park.
Parking/access: Easy access and large parking lot
Size: 4.4 acres
Amenities: Small playground, picnic facilities, benches, paved pathway and a large grass field
Special features/highlights: Bay views, kite flying and the Fisherman's Monument.
Group use: Squalicum Boathouse
Seasonal use: Open all year
Reservations, information: 360-676-2500 

Parks & People: By The Numbers

Bellingham neighborhoods with the most city parks and open space are south of Whatcom Falls Park and downtown, while northern neighborhoods have virtually no city green space.
Some neighborhoods that are park-rich in terms of acreage rank lower in terms of density (acres per 1,000 people).
Neigborhood Percentage of Neighborhood that is Parks or Open Space

Samish 53.36%
Whatcom Falls 52.34%
WWU 32.10%
Fairhaven 21.80%
South 20.73%
Puget 19.10%
Edgemoor 15.97%
Alabama Hill 14.59%
Cornwall Park 12.71%
Silver Beach 11.58%
Columbia 11.37%
Birchwood 7.94%
South Hill 7.83%
Mt. Baker 6.29%
Happy Valley 5.91%
Roosevelt 4.87%
Sehome 3.91%
Lettered Streets 2.67%
Central Business Dist. 2.54%
York 2.29%
Sunnyland 2.04%
Meridian 0.54%
Guide Meridian 0.53%
Total 16.46%

Passes & Permits

If you're recreating on federal or state public land, chances are you need to open your wallet. Here's a list of parking fees and how to pay them.
State Parks Vehicle Parking Permits
Day pass or annual passes for parking at state parks or state park boat launches for only $5 for a day or $50 for a year. Day passes are available in state park parking lots and boat launches. Annual passes are available at state parks, the Washington State Parks Northwest Region office at 220 N. Walnut St. in Burlington

National Forest Recreation Day Pass
Day pass for parking at most sites in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest plus several sites in North Cascades National Park. Only $5 and available at National Forest offices, REI, Baker Lake Resort.

Northwest Forest Pass
Annual permit allowing parking in national forests in Washington and Oregon. Only $30 and available at National Forest offices,  REI, Baker Lake Resort.

Washington Department Of Fish & Wildlife Vehicle Fee Permit
Annual pass for parking at 200 wildlife areas including Lake Terrell and Toad Lake. The cost is $10.95 or free with hunting or fishing licenses. Available online at www.greatlodge .com (follow the links) or wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. To find that out, go to http://wdfw.wa.gov, click on Licenses and then "Find a license vendor near you."
Sno-Park Permits
Required for parking at Washington State Sno-Parks. The state includes the permit cost in snowmobile registration fees. For people without snowmobiles, $9 a day, $21 for a season for most parks. (Seven in the state require an additional $21 special groomed areas permit.) These permits are available at Fairhaven Bike and Mountain Sports, REI, Nooksack Nordic Ski Club, Sportsman Chalet, Mount Baker Snowboard Shop, Glacier Public Service Center. If you travel to the State Parks Northwest Region Headquarters, at 220 N. Walnut St. in Burlington, you can get a pass for a $1 discount.

National Parks Pass
Annual pass covering entrance fees to all national parks for $50 a year. Available at national parks that charge entrance fees, at participating national park bookstores, or at (888) GO-PARKS.

Golden Eagle Sticker
A hologram sticker which, when added to a National Parks Pass, turns it into a Golden Eagle Passport, allowing admittance and parking at all federal areas that charge a fee. The cost is $15 and stickers can be purchased at National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fee stations.

Golden Eagle Passport
Annual pass for admittance and parking at all national parks, all national forests and all federal areas that charge a fee. The cost is $65, and they’re available at National Forest offices.

Golden Age Passport
Annual pass for people aged 62 or older providing the same privileges as the Golden Eagle Passport, plus a 50 percent discount in campgrounds and other services. The cost is $10 and may be purchased at National Forest offices.

Golden Access Passport
Annual pass giving similar privileges as the Golden Age Passport for people who are legally blind or permanently disabled. The cost is nothing, and they’re available at all National Forest offices. 

Washington And Oregon State Recreation Pass
Annual pass which gets you into all Washington and Oregon state parks, plus every national park, national forest and fee-charging federal site in the country. The pass can be purchased for $85 at any National Forest office.