Ready to Come Out and Play?

Whether you’re staying at Best Western Plus Bellingham for business or a getaway, you can take a moment to explore the area’s outdoor recreation. From the glaciers of Mt. Baker and the greenery of the surrounding national, state and county parks, to the currents of the Nooksack and the Salish Sea, we are a world-class outdoor recreation playground.

Year-round hiking is a hallmark of the Bellingham region, with easy proximity to the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Chuckanut Mountains, as well as miles of opportunities within Whatcom County. Bellingham offers an extensive system of hiking trails through city parks and greenways, where both water and mountain views are plentiful.

This is your basecamp to Bellingham. We’ll see you outside.

Adventure in Bellingham

From the glaciers of Mt. Baker and the greenery of the surrounding national, state and county parks, to the currents of the Nooksack and the Salish Sea, we are a world-class outdoor recreation playground.

Whatcom Falls Park is found on the eastern edge of Bellingham. It contains four different waterfalls creating by Whatcom creek, that can be viewed alongside hiking trails. Don’t miss the Stone Bridge as a scenic viewpoint that is not to be missed!

Address: 1401 Electric Avenue, Bellingham, Washington

Full of hiking and mountain biking trails, Lake Padden is a great recreational area in the southeastern tip of Bellingham. Use the picnic shelters for a tasty meal, take your pup to the dog park, and even paddle your SUP around the 160-acre lake. Enjoy fishing off the dock, and catch a Pacific Northwest sunset.

Address: 4882 Samish Way, Bellingham, Washington

The Chuckanut Mountains contains Washinton’s first state park: Larrabee State Park. It offers mountain biking, or trails like the Oyster Dome Trail that gives you views of Samish Bay. There are 2 photogenic alpine lakes within its boundaries, as well as 50 campsites and a boat launch.

Address: 245 Chuckanut Drive, Bellingham, Washington

Mount Baker is the dramatic backdrop of Bellingham, and its impressive slopes draw tourists from around the world. It contains more than 1,000 acres to explore, and gets more than 600 inches of snowfall each year. The community also hosts Mt. Baker Film Fest and the Legendary Banked Slalom race in February.

Address: Mt. Baker Hwy, Deming, Washington

Fiddlehead Tours & Adventures offers exquisitely curated adventures, making every guest feel like a local, while enjoying the best Whatcom County has to offer. Choose your adventure – Beer & Wine, Boating, Cycling, Hiking, Walking and Special Events.

(425) 681-9605

2420 Victor Street, Bellingham

Local Art

Join Bellingham locals at the Art Walk held the first Friday of each month. Galleries, boutiques, studios and restaurants are open late to display the work of local artists.

The Downtown Art Walk is hosted by  the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, and takes place the first Friday of each month every month from 6:00pm – 10:00 pm.

The Fairhaven Art Walk is a product of a partnership by Whatcom Art Market and Historic Fairhaven Association. It occurs on the fourth Friday of each month year round, except in December, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Bicycling

Biking is one of the most popular activities in the Bellingham area on trails, tracks and city streets. Whatcom County also offers endless country roads and miles of trails to explore.

Bikes can be rented in Bellingham at Jack’s Bicycle Center and Fairhaven Bicycle, as well as in Birch Bay at Paddle and Pedal. Printed city trail maps are available at the Visitors Information Center . The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department also has an extensive Bellingham Trail Guide available in pdf format. For an insider’s perspective also read Best Bets for Mountain Biking in Bellingham by Todd.

  • Cornwall Park Trail (1.5 miles) – in Cornwall Park
  • Interurban Trail (7 Miles) – Fairhaven to Larrabee State Park
  • Lake Padden Park Trail (2.6 miles) – around the lake
  • Railroad Trail (3.5 miles) – King street to Alabama & Vining St
  • South Bay Trail (2 miles) – connects Fairhaven, Boulevard Park and Downtown
  • Whatcom Falls Park Trails (3.5 miles) – trail in and around park
  • North Lake Whatcom Park “Hertz” Trail (3 miles one way) – runs along the east shore of the lake. Great Views and a waterfall.
  • Lake Padden single track trails (5.1 miles) – excellent single track trails connect with lake Padden Park trail. Access in park or parking lot on Samish Way about 1 mile south of park entrance.
  • ; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background: white;">Ranked among the Top 10 places to ride in the nation by Mountain Bike Magazine, Galbraith Mountain is the area between Lake Padden and Lake Whatcom officially named North Lookout Mountain. Galbraith Mountain is privately owned land and the trails are maintained for non-motorized use by volunteers in the local group ; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background: white;">(Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition)

  • ; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background: white;">WMBC also maintains the Bellingham Dirt Jump Park at Civic Field, located near the skate board park on Puget Street one block south of Lakeway Drive. The park includes a variety of jumps including 2-foot, 3-foot, 5-foot and 7-foot for riders of all ability levels. A 15-foot high roll produces the needed speed for the runs.

Bellingham in general has several streets with designated bike lanes. For low traffic biking, there are several neighborhood, waterfront and park routes. Squalicum Harbor is a great place for a short scenic ride. The city has published a Bellingham Bicycle Routes map , which designates the best roads for biking and proximity to connecting trails. Favorite local road routes and weekly rides information is maintained by the volunteer organization Mount Baker Bicycle Club .