Lake Padden Park- big trees and placid lake minutes from bustling Bellingham
Quick Facts:
Location: Bellingham
Distance: more than 9.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain: up to 600 feet
Contact: City of Bellingham Park
Map: Square One Maps Chuckanut Recreation Area
Notes: on-leash and off-leash trails
Trailhead directions: From Bellingham follow I-5 south to Fairhaven Exit 252. Then continue south on Samish Way for 2.3 miles turning right into beach access area and parking. From Mount Vernon, head north on I-5 to exit 246. Then follow Samish Way north for 2.8 miles turning left into the park. Alternative parking and trailheads available.
Good to Know: Kid-friendly, dog-friendly, snow-free winter hiking
One of Bellingham’s crown jewels, this 160-acre lake once served as the city’s water supply. In 1968 it was transferred to the parks department where it has grown to more than 1000 acres. The undeveloped lake is surrounded by big trees and flanked by emerald hills. An extensive trail system here allows for lots of exploring for hikers, walkers, and runners of all ages and abilities.
The most popular trail at Lake Padden is the 2.7 mile loop trail. This wide well-groomed path can be accessed from several of the park’s parking areas. It loops around the large lake passing through groves of mature conifers and passing beaches and quiet coves.
From the lake’s southeast corner near its inlet creek you can set off on four miles of off-leash trails. You can access these trails from the Lake Loop. These trails are popular with trail runners and their unleashed four-legged companions and they’re quite a bit more rugged than the popular loop and Padden Gorge trails.
Just to the west of the off-leash trails is a trail that travels along a small ridge dipping in and out of ravines. A couple of short trails veer right from it leading back to the lake loop giving you the opportunity to make a few loops here.
At the lake’s outlet find a dock where you can enjoy gorgeous views of Lookout Mountain across the lake—and find the Padden Gorge Trail. This wonderful trail follows Padden Creek from the old lake dam through an emerald gorge passing big trees and old stone structures. In the fall and winter this trail is exceptionally pretty as Padden Creek tumbles and cascades through the gorge.
For more details on this hike, and others in Bellingham and in western Whatcom and Skagit Counties, pick up a copy of my Urban Trails Bellingham book (Mountaineers Books).
