With terrain ranging from the Salish Sea to the Chuckanut and Cascade Mountains, Whatcom County supports biodiversity throughout its freshwater systems. Lakes form from glaciers flowing through rivers and streams to the sea and expand or divert with human activity.
Whatcom County lakes range from large urban bodies to protected wetlands to mountain outlets. All offer numerous recreational, educational, and environmental appeals to locals and travelers across the county.
Bellingham
Three major lakes lie near Bellingham, all open to swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Fishing mainly consists of different salmon, trout, bass, and yellow perch species, and the county requires visitors to clean all vessels to limit invasive species.
Lake Whatcom is the source of the county’s drinking water and shares its name, the Lummi word for “noisy water,” with Whatcom Creek, Whatcom Falls Park, and Whatcom County itself. Bloedel-Donovan Park, Lake Whatcom Park, WWU’s Lakewood, and Lake Whatcom Southerly Boat Launch all provide public access. Camp Firwood privately accesses Reveille Island. Hikes by Lake Whatcom Park include the 6.2-mile Hertz Trail and 10-mile Stewart Mountain hike (2,600 feet elevation gain).
Lake Padden lies at Bellingham’s south edge, connecting to Padden Creek. It’s named for homesteader and coal miner Michael Padden, whose death by shooting over a land dispute remains a notorious incident in Bellingham history.
The lake is popular for its playground and picnic areas, plus Lake Padden Golf Course to the east. Lake Padden Loop offers level 2.6-mile hikes and bike rides, while 5.9-mile Padden Ridge connects with Galbraith Mountain.
Just south of Bellingham lies Lake Samish. Samish Day Lodge is a popular wedding and social venue, and the one-lane bridge connects the lake with numerous Chuckanut hikes to the north and south. Lake Samish Association hosts events and collects local history on Samish tribe settlements, logging, and mining. Famously, actress Hilary Swank grew up near Lake Samish and still has a home in the area today.
Whatcom County Lowlands
Many lakes near Ferndale and Lynden preserve wildlife and wetlands. Most are only open for walking and seasonal fishing or hunting, and several require a Discover Pass.
Tennant Lake near Hovander Homestead Park offers the Interpretive Center and Fragrance Garden, observation tower, and boardwalk through the marsh with a wheelchair-accessible route. It seasonally permits waterfowl and deer hunting, plus boat access to Nooksack River fishing. To the west, Lake Terrell provides similar access and permits boating with Discover Pass parking.
Near Lynden, Judson Lake is named for town founder Phoebe Judson and Wiser Lake for pioneer Jack Wiser. Wiser Lake is divided by the Guide Meridian, Judson Lake between the US-Canada border.
Toad Lake and Squalicum Lake northeast of Bellingham and Lake Fazon south of Everson are other small lakes with Discover Pass parking.
Chuckanut Mountains
Chuckanut hikes of varying difficulty offer access to mountain lakes open to walking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Fragrance Lake is accessible from the Two-Dollar Trailhead and Fragrance Lake Connector Trail off Cleator Road and the Fragrance Lake Trailhead off Larrabee State Park and Interurban Trail. These hikes range from 2.3 to 9 miles — higher when combined with Lost Lake (2,810 feet).
South of Old Samish Way, Pine and Cedar Lakes offer a 4.7-to-6.6-mile hike with a steep start and connect with Raptor Ridge Trail. Southwest of Lake Samish, Lily and Lizard Lakes offer a 6.6-to-7.9-mile hike and connect with Oyster Dome.
Squires Lake lies east of Lake Samish, offering 1-to-6-mile hikes with a beaver pond and sandstone ridge. Further east, Cain Lake and Reed Lake offer boating access.
Cascade Mountains
Near Kendall and Maple Falls, Silver Lake Park is a popular family destination for camping, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, and horseback riding. Its numerous campgrounds offer different levels of amenities, from cabins to RV and tent sites.
Baker Lake lies east of Mount Baker and fully within its National Recreation Area. Campers and boaters enjoy primitive sites or 55 spots for tents or RVs at Swift Creek Campground. The 14-mile Baker Lake Trail is accessible for hikers of varying experience, and the lake is open April to October for trout and kokanee fishing.
Whatcom County’s largest lake, at 23 miles long, Ross Lake extends into British Columbia. It connects with Diablo Lake and Gorge Lake, all powering hydroelectric dams for Seattle City Light. These lakes share a stunning turquoise hue from glacial flour, and are popular for trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and camping at primitive sites. They are accessible on the North Cascades Highway through Skagit Valley. Ross Lake provides hiking access for Hozomeen Mountain, Jack Mountain, and Desolation Peak — famously described in Jack Kerouac’s Desolation Angels.
Several small mountain lakes lie east of Mount Baker. Mazama Lakes, Arbuthnot Lake, Bagley Lake, Picture Lake, and Lake Ann are all accessible off short hikes from Mount Baker Highway. Other Cascade hikes accessible only to experienced backpackers include Ipsoot Lake, Green Lake, Berdeen Lake, Thornton Lake, Luna Lake, Price Lake, Egg Lake, Copper Lake, Hanging Lake, and Silver Lake (different from Silver Lake Park).
When visiting Whatcom County’s lakes, always mind the rules and regulations of federal, state, and local bodies to keep the environment pristine.
