On a sunny weekend at Lake Padden, the lake is teeming with paddle boarders, kayakers and giant silly shaped raft floaters. It’s rimmed with fishermen and their kids trying to catch fresh trout. The barbeque spaces are full of picnickers surrounded by raucous basketball games and the trail is brimming with runners, dog walkers and bikers. It’s an energetic but still peaceful place.
Don’t let little ones tether you to the house. Here in the Whatcom County there’s no reason to let small children slow you down. We have an abundance of things to do.
If you aren’t comfortable lugging a heavy kid, squirming and sweating on your back, there are dozens of trails wide enough to hook up your bicycle trailer or unfold the stroller. Not only can you go on long walks and bike rides with children, but there are spray parks and lakes for them to cool off in. Picnics are a wonderful way to spend the afternoon slowing down and enjoying the breeze. Quick clean-up is an added bonus.
Bellingham is called the city of subdued excitement because when the sun’s out, no one’s left in town to be excited. They’re all outside in parks and on trails. And guess what – it’s only getting better in Whatcom County.
The city of Ferndale recently rolled out a 20-year master plan for its parks and trail system. Bellingham is currently working on the Heritage Trail, in the waterfront project and is continuing to connect the Bay to Baker trail together.
The City of Bellingham is a phenomenal resource with an extensive list of maps and trail descriptions here.
If you aren’t already familiar with the South Bay Trail, connecting Boulevard park to downtown Bellingham, you should be. The trailhead is located at Railroad and Maple, just down the street from the Saturday market. Although it’s a relatively short trail, it’s pure bliss taking you on a walk along the cliff side. You’ll enjoy views of treetops and the bay to your right. It’s a beautiful and peaceful sight any time of year. It culminates at Boulevard Park. Here you can continue the walk along the promenade, up past the parking lot and into downtown Fairhaven for lunch.
The Hovander River Walk in Ferndale is a segment of the much larger Nooksack Loop Trail, located off of West Axton Road. A Discover Pass is required for parking here, but you can also park at Hovander Park for free. The big field on the left is a dog off-leash area, making it a great place for the whole family. A pretty, four-point, six-mile trail both ways will take you along the river and past Hovander park. You’ll see beautiful views of Baker on a clear day. Keep going until the bridge on Slater road. If you like adventure, continue on to the Nooksack Loop trail and follow the river North East to Lynden or South to Bellingham. The whole trail is 45 miles and can be done in a day on a bicycle. It’s wide enough for a trailer on the back for little ones.
Hovander Park is a wonderful place to pull off the trail for a break. From May through October they host chickens, ducks, sheep, goats and rabbits. There’s a playground and a tower you can climb up to enjoy the view. If you’re lucky, the barn will be open. You can tour the antique farm equipment left from when it was a working farm.
The gardens here are show-stopping. The Whatcom County Master Gardeners Foundation use the space to show off their skills. Herbs are the size of bushes in late summer. The fragrance garden is something special. Different varieties of flowers appear throughout the season. Dozens of herbs, lavender, peonies and more permeate the air to delight your nostrils. You can sit beneath wisteria vines or meander through the cattails with gorgeous views of Mount Baker in the distance.
After Hovander, stop by the Centennial Riverwalk for a spray-off. Located in Ferndale next to Main Street, this children’s spray park has giant vertical sprayers and puddles to wade through. It’s a great way to cool off after a hot day on the trails.
North Lake Whatcom Trail or Hertz Trail – this route seems to have two names but is easier to find on google maps under the former. Definitely worth noting, it’s just over six miles roundtrip with a dazzling walk along the bank of Lake Whatcom. It starts off several feet wide but narrows as you go. Leave the bicycle trailers behind for this one, but it’s worth the walk. It’s a gorgeous trail that isn’t well traveled. Bring your swimsuits and life jackets to jump in and don’t forget snacks or a picnic. The view is stunning so set aside some time to relax and stay a while.
Lake Padden is one of the most popular areas in Bellingham for good reason. At 2.6 miles around, it’s an excellent size for a quick jog. The loop trail has beautiful views that changes with the seasons and times of day. Just before sunset is a peaceful time that seems to bring out exceptionally beautiful colors in and around the lake.
Over five miles of trails branch off of the main trail wandering through the forest. Dog off-leash areas are marked and a large fenced area is available especially for dogs. The trails get narrower and tend to be less stroller-friendly the farther you get from the lake.
Don’t forget to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Your kids will love making memories with you this summer.
