Really lovely area to explore the rocky coast of Washington. Free entry, free parking, plenty of…read moreplaces to explore, hike, enjoy a picnic, play on playgrounds, you name it. A bit secluded which just adds to its allure in my book. Love the coupling of large trees and rock beach right next to each other, such a unique thing to experience.

Birch Bay is probably in the Top 3 of my favorite state parks. It's in an idyllic, bayside setting,…read morewith a huge campground and lots to do in the area. I spent many a summer weekend tent camping there with my kids, and recently returned to camp again for the long weekend over July 4th. As any local will tell you, the Birch Bay area is THE place to be to celebrate and over-the-top Independence Day. Since my tent camping with kids days I've upgraded to a small teardrop travel trailer. Luckily, the majority of sites at the BBSP campground accommodate smaller travel trailers. They even have water/electric hookup sites but these are almost impossible to procure. Still, it was fun to boondock for four nights at one of their many double/group sites - which we shared with some friends. I was thankful for having a trailer, because it rained HARD for two of the days we were there and everything was soaked. Our group site (107/108) was also located near a bog so it got especially muddy. Still, we didn't let it ruin the fun - but it was a good reminder that it's never a bad idea to bring extra awnings and canopies on these PNW camping trips. The park itself is well-managed, with rangers regularly circulating and a camp host on duty most of the day. The bathrooms are clean and serviced regularly, and there are coin-op showers to keep you clean. The beach is a short walk from the campground, and an amazing place to watch sunsets. We also rode bikes into the village - it's perfectly level and there's a bike lane most of the way. We ended up at the local brewery, which was right across from the beach and a great place to listen to some live music and enjoy the weekend. Birch Bay State Park will always be on my radar for great, not-too-far-away, family-friendly camping spots. Reserve early for best selection!

We love this gorgeous, well maintained park! The pirate play area is really cute and has some…read moreunique features like a treasure tumble (you roll it to see shells) and a "plank" you can walk/jump on. Past the park and onto the boardwalk- there is plenty of unique wildlife to see- herons, seagulls, and star fish! The beach is rocky but easy to navigate and a great place to throw or collect rocks. This is truly a great walk for playing with toddlers, having a picnic or enjoying a walk.

Very beautiful view and a cool little playground for my daughter and a LOT of little stones to be…read morethrown.

It's a hike that you must do in the Bellingham area, hell, in the state. It's one of those gems…read morethat everyone talks about - and I know in Washington, everyone talks about hiking trails, but this is one of those that you have to do...if you like hiking and are in the area. We spent a weekend in Bellingham and not gonna lie, Oyster Dome was one of the primary reasons for spending time up north. Located along the Chuckanut Drive on Blanchard Mountain, it's a hike with a rewarding view at the end. So yes, it's worth it. This hike is about a five-mile, round-trip trail with an elevation gain of just over 1000. It's a good climb, but not difficult or challenging. The parking area can get filled up quickly, and you'll likely see many people along the trail and definitely up at summit. It's dog-friendly; we saw a lot of dogs on the trail and brought our little hiker, too. You'll need a Discover Pass to park here and in the lot is where there are restrooms. The hike goes through a forested area, providing tree canopy and cooler temperatures. But some parts can be rocky, especially towards the summit. Descending was worse as it can be sore on your knees, so it felt longer going down than up in my opinion. The views are incredible. You can see the mountains, the valley and even Canada. Pretty amazing.

Yet another great hiking trail we softly explored, to help our toddlers calm down before we headed…read moreback home. Oyster Dome Trail has multiple markers for guidance throughout it. Now that we've all thawed out from the winter, exploring WAs beautiful trails, parks, and landmarks come naturally; investing in a Discovery pass could be helpful. We will definitely return, and recommend!

This was a great day trip when we stayed in Bellingham. There's lots to see and the area is so…read morebeautiful. Whether you are a hiker or you just want pretty views, there's a lot worth driving for. We went in September so we didn't do any snow activities. The weather was cool and we just went for the cool views and the scenic drive. By the time we got to Artist's Point, it was VERY windy and a little bit colder, but the walk was nice and the views were great of the mountain. Picture Lake is a beautiful spot, although I wish they have more picnic tables. You can also stay in a cabin in this area, which sounded awesome. Maybe next time. We went during COVID times, and not everyone was wearing a mask, so be sure to keep your distance. Also, if you're into Pokemon, I took over a gym and my Pokemon lasted several days in there before being kicked out. I couldn't believe it!

Beautiful area with snowy mountains and beautiful waterfalls. Definitely a great drive and you can…read moreget out and hike and walk!

This is a great starting point for a lot of destinations. For my initial trip, I covered Chuckanut…read moreFalls and Hemlock Trails. Pleasant but nothing too wildly exciting. This wouldn't be the place I'd first recommend to out of towners. As usual, take rest breaks as needed and pace yourself. It's not a real tough trail but may be a challenge if you're just getting into exercising/walking a great distance. There's a nice parking area with a fair amount of space. I could see that this may get packed on a nice day. There's one portable toilet at the parking area. I didn't see a sign requiring Discovery Pass but went ahead and put it out anyhow. I've noticed that some areas I had assumed that I didn't need it had in fact required.

One of my favorite hikes in the Bellingham area! Beginner level! Would be good with kids. Stunning!!read more

If you're staying at the bellwether Or just cruising the waterfront, The Commons as little places…read moreto eat some nice restaurants And a great place to wander around at the point., For mance close to the Marina so I can get off the boat and go up and have a sandwich or sushi or a great steak

Public courtyard by Hotel Bellwether. Great view of the islands, WWU and of Mount Baker. At…read moreentrance to marina. Nice place to sit and watch people, boats and nature. Several metal chairs and lots of benches. Bellingham view from downtown south to Fairhaven. Bring a jacket it coat, it can be windy and 10 to 15 degrees cooler here. Enjoy!

Take the long switchback road to the top of Mt Constitution. This alone is a beautiful sight. at…read morethe top, there's a parking lot and a nice restroom and visitor center. you can buy a year long discovery pass inside, or a daily ten dollar parking pass. You can also pay in the honesty box. the short hike to the top is steep.But very short and easy. the views are incredible and even more so if you do all the stairs up to the top of the tower. worth it!

Mount Constitution was a fun place to visit. It is the Highest point in the San Juan Islands and…read morethe views were stunning! It was closed on the day we went so we just piddled around and enjoyed the beautiful view. Gift shop was closed so no souvenirs!

Pine and Cedar Lakes Trail is a solid kick in the pants with 1500 ft of elevation gain in 1.5…read moremiles. I spent two days camping at Pine Lake and saw one other person. Another bonus is that the hills mask the hum if I-5. There are plenty of boot tracks to explore along the North Shore. A very peaceful place with solitude in spades!

Great hike. I made it a loop and ended up at Falls Drive and walked along the main road back to the…read moretrailhead. I went alone and didn't encounter a single person in the 4-5 hours it took for me to do the loop. Not all maps show the trail that leads off so you can make the loop. You go to the south from an off shoot in between cedar and Pine lake. The trails at this point are very overgrown. There is more opportunities to go on trails but I stuck on the service roads for the most part. Lots of good lookout points over Lake Samish. The original hike to get to Pine and Cedar lake is very steep. Once you get past that point it is more rolling hills or flat. I highly recommend turning left and heading toward the overlook NW of Cedar lake. Great views of the San Juan's and on the other side you can see Baker. For the Lakes there is camping opportunities available (primitive). Also there are no toilets available. Swimming in the lakes might be possible but they look as if the water is stagnant and there is much muck. I'm only knocking it down because of the hill. The overgrown section isn't part of this trail but is a fun way to go if you want more mileage and to make a loop of it. Just be aware you will be walking back along the road and there is little to no shoulder at times so walk towards the oncoming traffic to step out of the way when they approach.