Your Neighborhood

Padilla Bay Dike Trail–shore fine hike in the Skagit Valley

January 29, 2026 |

Quick Facts: Location: Skagit County Land Agency: Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Roundtrip: 4.8 miles Elevation Gain: 30 feet Contact: Padilla Bay NERR Access: From Burlington (exit 231 on I-5) proceed through roundabouts and head west on Josh Wilson Road for 6.4 miles. Upon entering the village of Bay View turn left onto 2nd Street…

Lake Padden Park- big trees and placid lake minutes from bustling Bellingham

January 1, 2026 |

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…

Little Cranberry Lake — A perfect complement hike to your Thanksgiving Day celebration

November 28, 2024 |

Quick Facts: Location: Anacortes-Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands Roundtrip: 1.9 miles Elevation Gain: 100 feet Access: From Exit 230 on I-5 in Burlington, head west on SR 20 to junction with SR 20-Spur. Continue right on SR 20-Spur to Anacortes. At traffic light near old town, continue left on 12th Street (still SR 20-Spur and12th Street…

Lizard and Lily Lakes

February 2, 2024 |

Peaceful wandering near the Oyster Dome Quick Facts: Location: Blanchard State Forest Distance: 7.5 miles roundtrip Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet Contact: Washington Department of Natural Resources Map: Square One Maps Chuckanut Recreation Area Notes: Discover Pass required to park at trailheads Trailhead directions: From I-5 Exit 240 in Alger head north on Lake Samish Road…

Northern State Recreation Area

November 30, 2023 |

Wander the former farm grounds of a state mental health hospital Quick Facts: Location: Skagit Valley Distance: more than 7.0 miles of trails Elevation Gain: up to 400 feet Contact: Skagit County ParksDetailed Information: Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Books) Notes: dogs permitted on leash; park open dawn to dusk. Access: From Exit 230 on I-5…

Mount Erie

January 19, 2023 |

Fidalgo Island highpoint grants sweeping views Quick Facts: Location: Fidalgo Island Land Agency: Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) Round Trip: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 910 feet Contact: Anacortes Parks and Recreation Detailed Information: Day Hiking San Juans and Gulf Islands (Mountaineers Books) Map: online Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. Some trails open to bicycles, horses…

Oyster Dome─The Pearl of the Chuckanut Mountains

February 17, 2022 |

Quick Facts: Location: Chuckanut Mountains Land Agency: Washington Department of Natural Resources Roundtrip: 6.5 miles Elevation Gain: 1,900 feet Special Note: Oyster Dome can be hazardous in icy and wet conditions. Trail can be extremely popular, opt for a weekday visit. Contact: Washington DNR, Northwest Region; www.dnr.wa.gov Access: Trailhead is located just past milepost 10…

Skagit Wildlife Area—Headquarters Unit

January 20, 2022 |

Supreme birdwatching on the Skagit River Delta Quick Facts: Location: Fir Island, Skagit County Land Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Round Trip: 1.9 miles of trails Elevation Gain: minimal Contact: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Detailed Information: Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Books) Notes: Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass…

Lookout Loop

January 30, 2021 |

A good grunt to a so-so viewpoint in a great new forest preserve Quick Facts: Location: Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve Land Agency: Whatcom County Parks Round Trip: 4.0 miles Elevation Gain: 850 feet Contact: Whatcom County Parks Notes: dogs permitted on leash, trail open to mountain bikes Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Book) Access:…