Oyster Dome

getting there

From Bellingham: Take Exit 250 off of I-5 south of Bellingham and turn west onto Old Fairhaven Parkway. Drive 0.1 mile, turn left onto 30th St and drive 1 mile (30th St becomes 32nd St).  Turn right onto Old Samish Rd, drive 0.6 mile, turn left onto Chuckanut Drive (SR-11) and drive 11 miles south to the  Oyster Dome Trailhead (200 ft).

From Mount Vernon: Take Exit 231 off of I-5 north of Mount Vernon and drive 10 miles north on Chuckanut Drive (SR-11) to the Oyster Dome Trailhead (200 ft).

on the trail

Hike the Pacific Northwest Trail for 1.5 miles and then left on the Samish Bay Connection Trail. In a half mile, stay right and then a half mile later turn left and continue on to Oyster Dome. It's 6.5 miles round trip with 1,900 feet of elevation gain to a high point of 2,025 ft.

Loop Return Option: Consider taking Max's Shortcut which will let you loop back past Lily Lake and the Samish Overlook on the Pacific Northwest trail. This adds about 2 miles to your trip.

Extend Your Trip: Consider continuing on to North Butte, a much less visited and crowded viewpoint, about a mile from the Oyster Dome-Samish Connector Trail junction. Hiking this as a loop is 10 miles with 2,500 feet of elevation gain and a high point of 2,220 ft.

Notes

• The bat caves near Oyster Dome are quite hazardous. Enjoy them from a distance.
• Hang gliders and paragliders take off from the Samish Overlook when the wind is favorable.

• Suitable Activities: Day Hiking
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Length: 6.5 mi
• Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft
• High Point: 2,025 ft

• Land Manager: Blanchard Forest
• Parking Permit Required: Discover Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12