Tennant Lake and Hovander Farm Park in Whatcom County, WA

Fall in Whatcom County can be a beautiful time to hike – just pick your day and get out to enjoy the crisp air and the vibrant colors.  Rich, Mia and I took this one several weeks ago, but the colors will be even better now.

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Start from the parking area on the Northeast side of the Slater Rd bridge over the Nooksack River.  You will need a parking sticker, available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold (Yeager’s is one option.)  The cost is $14 and it is good from April 1 to March 31. 

The trail heads off to the North, along the top of the Nooksack River dike.  Views are across the fields to Mt Baker and the Sisters to the East, with an occasional glimpse of the Nooksack through the trees to the West.  As the trail leaves the dike and cuts across to Tennant Lake, you will catch glimpses of Hovander Farm’s big red barn and start to recognize the wetlands that surround Tennant Lake.  

The Tennant Lake Interpretive Center is impressive, with a viewing tower looking out over the lake toward the mountains and a fragrance garden where visitors are encouraged to touch and smell as well as look.  The boardwalk allows visitors to explore the wetlands up close and stay clean, but note that it is closed during hunting season.

From the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center, it is an easy, level walk over to Hovander Farm Park, a beautiful site featuring one of Whatcom County’s early homesteads.  The house and barn are surrounded by expansive lawns available for picnicing and family gatherings.  The Highland Games and Civil War Re-enactment are just two of the events that are often held here, but a major attraction is the animals and the petting zoo with animal babies in the spring. 

The Hovander grounds border the Nooksack, so it is easy to pick up the trail along the top of the dike that will take you back to your car.  When the river is low, there are several spots where it is possible to scramble down the bank to broad sand bars.

Two to three hours will give you time to make the loop, enjoy the scenery along the way and explore the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center and Hovander Farm Park.  Part of the route allows dogs off leash, but make sure you take supplies to clean up after your pets.  It’s a wonderful introduction to Whatcom County’s outdoors and history.

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