Great Hikes Near Bellingham

Year-round hiking is plentiful in the Bellingham area. Combining the trails in the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Chuckanut Mountains, North Cascades National Park, and Whatcom County, this region has hundreds of miles of trails to explore. The City of Bellingham also offers an extensive system of hiking trails through city parks and greenways, where both water and mountain views are plentiful.

Mt. Baker Hiking Guide

Get to know beautiful Mt. Baker on foot. Select from a dozen remarkable hikes that allow you to experience some of the most spectacular scenery in Washington State.

Explore the Guide

Backpacking in the North Cascades

Discover hiking and camping around Whatcom County. Learn tips and see what to expect about spending time exploring one location - Anderson-Watson Lakes!

Watch the Video

Know Before You Go - Recreation Passes

Discover Pass. There is a fee for parking at state parks and other state-operated locations around Whatcom County. Most locations have a kiosk to purchase a Discover Pass onsite - but not every location. When you arrive at a location requiring a Discover Pass, you will see signs noting "Discover Pass Required." Plan ahead and purchase a Discover Pass before your visit.
NW Forest Pass. At National Forest trailheads and the Heather Meadows area at the end of the Mt. Baker Highway, Discover Passes are not valid. You must instead use a Northwest Forest Pass. You can purchase these passes online or at the Glacier Public Service Center in Glacier, WA. Day and annual passes are available.

More Trip Planning Inspiration

Get Onboard with Skagit Tours in North Cascades National Park

Mountain and Water Landmarks of Whatcom County near Bellingham

Outdoor Gear Rentals and Services in Whatcom County

Remember to Recreate Responsibly!

Always be respectful to others and leave places better than when you came! A national coalition of land agencies and user groups has developed the following guidelines for everyone to follow to keep our public lands open.

Get Your Go! Guide

Engage in a Local Quest

Browse our Dreaming Guide

We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.