Oyster Dome
A moderate day hike just south of Bellingham in the Chuckanut Mountains. The trail heads steeply up Blanchard Mountain to reach a viewpoint and some bat caves. Continue on to North Butte and/or loop back past Lily Lake and the Samish Overlook to extend your trip.
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
- 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
- USGS Bellingham South
- USGS Bow
- Trails of the Chuckanut Mountains
- Chuckanut Mountain Recreation Map
Upcoming Activities
Day Hike - Oyster Dome
Day Hike - Oyster Dome
CHS Tacoma June Hikes - Oyster Dome
This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.
- Oyster Dome & North Butte
- Oyster Dome-Samish Overlook Loop
- North Butte-Samish Overlook Loop
- Oyster Dome-North Butte-Samish Overlook Loop
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