 The
Stimpson Family Nature Reserve offers
over 4 miles of hiking trails through a beautiful forest setting. The forest is largely undisturbed and displays characteristics of an old-growth forest, including douglas fir trees over 400 years old, a wide diversity of tree species, snags and decaying logs, and a complex architecture of canopy, understory, shrub layer, and tapestry of the forest floor. Two ponds and additional wetland areas support a wide variety of plants and animals, including beaver. Deer, cougar, and smaller mammals frequent the park.
The Reserve is managed by Whatcom County Parks & Recreation and includes the 138-acre Lake Louise Natural Resources
Conservation Area owned by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
212 acres owned by Whatcom Land Trust and 36 acres jointly owned
by the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County. The core of the Stimpson
Family Nature Reserve was donated to Whatcom Land Trust in 2000
by the Stimpson family. Whatcom Land Trust maintains a permanent stewardship endowment
for the upkeep of the Reserve.
To meet the preservation requirements of the conservation easement on this property, bicycles, dogs,
other domestic animals, and collecting or disturbing natural features are prohibited.
Directions:
Check Current Conditions 
The
Stimpson Family Nature Reserve is located on Lake Louise Road, east
of Bellingham, Washington. Take I-5 Exit #253 and follow Lakeway Drive east for 3.4 miles to Lake Louise Road.Turn right and continue 1.6 miles to the parking lot on your left. The park is also served by Whatcom Transit Authority Route #512.
Download Map of Stimpson Reserve  972 KB
Download information about Old-Growth Forests 3,957KB
The Stimpson Family Nature Reserve Loop Trail has been adopted by the Community Food Co-op! We are grateful for the maintenance and trail improvements. If your business or organized group would like to participate in this fun and energetic way to make a difference for Whatcom County Parks, check out our Adopt-A-Trail program! |
