Yet another great hiking trail we softly explored, to help our toddlers calm down before we headed back home. Oyster Dome Trail has multiple markers for guidance throughout it. Now that we've all thawed out from the winter, exploring WAs beautiful trails, parks, and landmarks come naturally; investing in a Discovery pass could be helpful. We will definitely return, and recommend! read more

Oyster Dome Trail - Hiking Near Me - Bow, Washington

Worth the hike for sure. Started at street level and it took a few hours but the view of the peak was worth every step!! Bring water it's a ways and can be steep read more

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Oyster Dome is located on Blanchard Mountain in Skagit County. If you're planning to hike this forest, do some research on the history of the area regarding fishing and logging for a greater appreciation and understanding of the environment you'll be in. Bring a book about native trees, plants, and mushrooms if you can and practicing doing some identification on the up and down. The trail is marked but people can and do get lost up there so be equipment prepared, especially when it's cold out. Keep dogs leashed. Some fun hours for trail running or just meandering. General details: *Depending upon where you start the out and back can range from about 4 - 8 miles. *1050 foot elevation gain with highest point being 2025 feet *Depending upon where you park you may need a Discovery Pass. If you park along Chuckanut Drive and you're at all in the road or parked otherwise dangerously, you're at risk of being towed and stranded with a hefty $$$ bill to get your vehicle out of impound. read more

Well worth the hour + drive north, even with smoky conditions. Just driving through the Skagit valley, with all the agriculture, reminds me of home. As well as the drive, taking the 90, to the 405, to the 5, to the 11, another Cali reminder. Lol It's rated hard by AllTrails, but it was a moderate zig zag up the mountain. Typical of North coast, mountains rising outta the water. I didn't smell it, leaving or going up, I think due to smoke, but coming down, I can smell the ocean, much needed, thank you God! Want a fun hike! I can't wait to do it again, after some rains, which are much needed in the PNW. So many streams and waterfalls that will be running with a little water. Trading my beloved redwoods for Douglas fir, was eased by seeing another favorite, five finger maidenhair fern, as well as a big surprise, Madrone! It just added to the beautiful magic of this trail. Even with the smoke, and a bit of fog early, the views of Samish bay and ocean were amazing! Especially at Oyster dome, North Butte, and Samish point. I went counterclockwise, and added the lily and lizard lake loops, well worth it, to see the lakes and surrounding flora, again, a moderate, but a little longer hike. The lumber harvest tried to confuse the hike, but it was fairly well marked, and easy to follow, partially due to the marking with pink ribbons and yellow signs for some kind of run. A few runners, three bikers, and a few fellow hikers, most of the time I had the trail to myself. Also a few young ladies doing some mushroom hunting, it'll only get better with some rain. I'm always amazed with the quiet and solitude in the PNW, so enjoyable. Pretty much the same track, clockwise or counterclockwise, just a fun hike with lots of views and forest charm. Lots of interesting rock formations as well. Collected a few rocks to add to my aquarium, always a bonus. Well worth the drive, just for the beauty, not to mention being by the ocean. Yelping on, God bless and Cheers! read more

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Great hike today at the end of January. Took me about three hours from Chuckanut Drive to the top and back down. Bring water and a flashlight. The trail is narrow so you will see a decent amount of folks. They were all very friendly and said hello as I passed. Would be nice if they could have a few porties at the trailhead as I drove up from Seattle and really had to pee. read more

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When searching for a local hike this one is certainly worth checking out! A short easy drive from Arlington Wa. From the exit it's probably 15 minutes. The gravel road has its rough spots of pot holes and wash board. We went on a Tuesday so the parking at The Samish Overlook was perfect! We did the loop. We took the trail to Lily Lake then to Oyster Dome then back down to the Samish Overlook. The Trail is well kept and marked. We did a 6 mile loop with almost 2,000 foot gain. A little rough on the knees coming down. The trees, old growth stumps, rock formations were incredible. Not overcrowded at all. My only complaint was the outhouses were filthy and full of garbage. No garbage cans are provided so people were very disrespectful and threw it in the outhouses. Otherwise I will definitely be back! read more

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Beautiful views and well maintained trail! I started this time from Sammish Overlook to Oyster Dome. The trail is mostly covered until you get to the top and can enjoy the sunshine as you enjoy the view and find a place on the rock. The trailhead at Sammish Overview offers bathrooms and decent parking. Don't forget your Discovery Pass! Must do hike, especially on a clear day! read more

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Oyster Dome is a brilliant trail, with a steep entry from Chuckanut Drive, which requires you to park on the street (which can be busy on weekends, particularly after 9am.) If you get a parking spot down there, you are sure to encounter a trail of two tales. Firstly, the trail is steep, and it's rough from that start point. It's rocky, muddy, and very woody. You are on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Land, so along the way, you will encounter trails that are more efficient, rather than built for hikers. WTA (Washington Trails Association) has been working on reworking the network of trails and is much nicer than before. After the halfway point, the second half of the trail is a gentle decline and a gentle upward trek, until the last bit, where to the top, it's just a little steeper. The view is pretty good! I suggest if you want to get to the view faster (less climbing), take the 5 miles trailroad, by way of barrel springs road, via the Algers exit on I-5. There is a complementary view at Sharpe Park, just south, at Sara's Head viewpoint, with much less hiking... but then again, what's the point, if you are sweating and sore at the end; I mean it's a hike.. and Oyster Dome will do it. read more

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The view makes it all worth it. If you're hiking up from the highway, it's a bit steep but from Squamish overlook it's not too bad. The trail felt a bit longer than advertised. read more

Oyster Dome Trail - Hiking Near Me - Bow, Washington

I live in Kent, so driving to Bellingham was almost a two hour journey. It was waaay worth it. This trail definitely has a few steep parts, so be ready for that. Additionally, there were several muddy patches when I went last week, but nothing that scared me away or made me slip. I'd say this trail is okay for beginners, as the friend that I took is very new to hiking. For me, as an intermediate hiker, I was never really out of breath but I did work up a sweat and was feeling it the next day! There are several view points, places to sit and relax, and a wide enough trail for people who have to pull off to the side if they have a crazy dog (cough cough, me). The end point of this trail is amazing. This hike is definitely challenging and you will be sore the next day, but man, it's worth it. *Note: there are no bathrooms close to Oyster Dome. Take care of that at the Starbucks or Subway that is ten minutes away from the trailhead! read more

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Great well marked hiking trail. Started from Samish Overlook and it took us 1hr to climb and 51 mins down. Single file trail with lots of areas to rest if needed. My 12yr old daughter & 61yr old mother did just fine and were the leaders. read more

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Great hike. For the inexperienced hiker it can be rather challenging, but not undoable by any means. For a well-versed or even semi-casual hiker, it's more of a moderate trail: enough to keep your heart rate up but not so much that you feel like you've accomplished a feat. It's a gorgeous trail once you get to the top. As most of Chuckanut tends to be, most of the trail is in the woods, and it's not quite worth it until you're at the viewpoint. I didn't notice this until I started hiking regularly at Mt Baker and noticed how much more I enjoyed hiking when it wasn't constantly in the thick of trees; there was much more to see. If woods are your thing, this trail is perfect for you. Very green, and some cool boulders to see. Make sure you go when it's sunny. I've gone many times when it's been cloudy, foggy, or rainy, and while it's cool to look out from the top and just see nothing, only grey clouds, it might not be the gorgeous ocean you were hoping to see. I would recommend seeing it both times. read more

Pew pew, gotta write this review before I forget too much of my hiking experience :) Came here with a group of friends on Memorial Day, and here are some of my observations: 1) Go early - better parking spots, easier to hike the trail without constant people traffic...etc 2) Parking Lot = tiny...at most, 20 or so cars. Afterwards, people start parking on the side of the road. So SUVs / big cars, take caution when entering/leaving the parking area cuz it can get pretty cramped 3) Road Conditions - Other than the gravelly road, there was barely any potholes. So most cars should be able to get here without much trouble 4) Bring a Discover Pass 5) Facilities - Bring toilet paper / tissue packets if you use the bathrooms. When I went, there wasn't any toilet paper and it's super gross. -___- eww 6) WTA Directions - Make sure to follow the directions on the WTA website. It will lead you to the lookout point and from there, it's easier to pick which trail to go on (whether it be straight to the Oyster Dome, or a quick detour to the lake, and etc) 7) The view from the parking lot = similar/same view as the the "Oyster Dome" lookout area. :) So if you don't want to hike but want the view instead, swing by in the afternoon when it's sunny for pictures. Hiking Review: Overall, this hike is easy to moderate. The trail starts off fairly flat, and throughout the distance, there are gradual inclines that will leave you huffin' a bit. The hardest part of the trail is definitely the last quarter that leads you up to the Oyster Dome. When you feel like you're wheezin and huffin for air, booom. You have finally made it to the dome. It's a little anti-climatic but the view with the clouds is nice. To add an extra uumph to your hike, I recommend making a stop (on the way down) at the lakes - Lily & Lizard. The paths are superrrrr easy and flat and doesn't add too much stress. However, going back down was a bit hard, especially on the knees. Overall, hike was roughly around 9ish miles round trip (Lakes + Dome) and it was a fun trek. PS - a lot of people let their dogs loose here, so just a heads up to those who don't like surprises. read more

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There are two ways to go about the trail to the top. The first is from the bottom of the road along Chuckanut Drive. The easier way is to drive to Samish overlook, park, then start trail 3/4's of the way from the top. The top of the 'Dome' has an amazing view of the sea and nearby hills. Stay for the sunset during the summers. Hiking in the dark is tricky as I have come across porcupines and other interesting things... The climb is crazy, you gain a lot of altitude and this hike will whip you into shape fast. We find that the average round-trip, not trail-blazing, will be about 7 hours. Don't rush through, enjoy this amazing hike. Note: there are more trails up at the Samish overlook to explore. Look for the metal sign that says "PNW Trail", you will know that you are close. Also, when you reach the bench on the hill, I think you would be about half-way to the top! read more

It's a nice trail with a decent view. The paved trail head parking can be pretty crowded and easily overflow into the gravel road leading to it. The gravel road lasts a 2-3 miles and is mostly pot hole free besides one section near the end. The hike is somewhat strenuous, but short. It gives the 1000 feet of elevation more or less in a miles worth of walking. The trail isn't rocky and is well maintained. read more

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Great trail that leads to some really good views of Puget Sound and the oyster farm. Parking can be a real challenge on busy days with a few shady spots next to some steepish drop offs. Eliminate this issue by arriving early. I would recommend accessing the trail from the Blanchard Mountain parking area as it is safer than parking on Chuckanut Drive where speeding vehicles are passing by on narrow roads while you are walking by. The "start" of the trail can be somewhat confusing especially for anyone not very experienced in hiking. There are several parking areas on the Blanchard Forest Block with several trailheads. Upside is that basically all of the trails CAN eventually lead to Oyster Dome. The downside is that if you take the "wrong" one it could add several miles to your hike. The shortest way to Oyster Dome is to drive out to the Samish Overlook. It's up a slightly rough road that I wouldn't recommend for regular cars but it is totally doable. Trucks work better. Once you find a parking spot descend toward the overlook and continue on the trail that points you toward "oyster dome" and "chuckanut drive". About an 1/8 - 1/4 mile down the trail there is a split where you can descend to chuckanut or continue on to oyster dome. That is the only split on the trail. Continue on to some inclines and flat spots that basically alternate for most of the trails duration. I found the trail to be pretty easy but I also work in a job that requires me to hike up mountains daily. For the average person I would consider it a moderate hike. Enjoy! read more

A favourite local spot with outstanding views of the San Juan island and Olympic national park on a clear day. There are couple ways to access either from bottom up or at 1/2 way view point if wanting a shorter hike. Remember that you will need a discovery pass which can be purchased via phone but need a pen and paper to display on the dash of the car. This was a great hike! Mostly covered which is perfect on a hot sunny day and probably only took 2.5 hours round trip from the midway viewpoint. Value 3/5 expensive to pay day pass just for a hike Atmosphere 5/5 Service 2/5 porter potties Quality 4/5 13/20 read more

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Gorgeous views to be had at the top of the Oyster Dome trail!! However this is a very popular hike so prepare for crowds. Parking fills up real fast! We went on a Saturday morning, arrived at 9 am and there were already a lot of vehicles parked on the road (no parking lot). It also feels a little like your car might tumble down the edge of the bay as the spaces are narrow! The hike was extremely pleasant, when we went it was nice and dry. You gain a lot of elevation in the beginning and then it turns into a gentle walk for a bit. Don't be fooled by this stretch, it gets much steeper right at the end climbing up to the actual viewpoints but you will be rewarded by a stunning view if it is a clear day. Budget some time to spend stretched out in the sun at the top with you lunch. You won't want to leave. :) We saw lots of dogs enjoying the trail and a TON of hikers. This may be the busiest hike I have done but worth a trip. read more

Oyster Dome Trail - Hiking Near Me - Bow, Washington

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My friend and I got to the trail around 9:30a on a Saturday. Parking is along the street. The trail was pretty popular as there was steady traffic as we headed down the trail back to the car. We spent about a half hour at the top, then headed to Lily Lake. We were going to hike to Lizard Lake but the trail was not well defined. The trail write-up at wta.org is accurate. Round trip I think the trail is 6.5 miles (or 3.25 miles one way). The first mile is steep and gets you warmed up quickly. The last 0.5 mile is super duper steep...I would recommend some hiking poles. Also, there are several stream crossings. While waterproof boots were not necessary in order to cross the streams, they are certainly an added bonus. Views are great! It's definitely worth the hike on a clear day! I'm an avid hiker and have been on some great trails. While this hike is good, has a great view, and I'd recommend it...based on scenery, etc. it's an average trail in this WA area. read more

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Fantastic hike! Very steep , extremely muddy .. But , well worth the vista at the very top! There were a few times I wasn't sure if I would actually make it but, We did! The hike is great for well behaved dogs , everyone we passed by was courteous and in good spirits . We highly recommend this to nature lovers & outdoor enthusiasts ! read more

6 mile hike total. Only hard in the beginning and before the view point. There are steep hills but if you run up then you'll save energy! Parking is limited. Street parking on the narrow roads so be careful. Also it's hard to find the entrance, it's a little opening with no sign. The view is worth it so don't give up!! There are little creeks, mini waterfalls and huge rocks as you hike up! read more

This is a beautiful hike! I would highly recommend this to any avid hiker. The view is more than worth the hardest parts of the trail. Will definitely go again! read more

A misnomer. Sure the hike was great, and the view was even better, but it turns out that there are WAY more oysters in the Bay, below. I felt misled, if not betrayed, by the name. Also, nowhere to put your bucket, rake and shucking knife at the top. Don't even bother with getting a shellfish license. Oyster Dome is nothing but a trail of steep hills and lies. read more

This was my very first hike so it was pretty challenging but nothing I couldn't handle :) The moment you start the trail the incline is already steep and it's quite narrow. Throughout the trail, you had to cross a couple creeks and at one point we had to crawl under a tree trunk that covered the trail! Clumsy people, beware - there are tree roots everywhere and you might trip over it like I did (many times). There are a couple parts of the trail where it's pretty flat and you'll really appreciate the break! Halfway through the hike there is a bench with a nice view! It was nice to sit there for a couple minutes and rest before continuing. When you finally reach the top, the view is BREATHTAKING. After all the cuts and bruises, it was well worth it! Definitely coming back again in the summer. read more

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This is a decent hike but is no longer a secret by any means. There is a lot of traffic on this trail but still great view. read more

Oyster Dome Trail - Hiking Near Me - Bow, Washington

Fantastic hike. I was a little over ambitious on this one and definitely had to take some breaks along the way. Its a great thing they have plenty of logs strategically placed so you can stop and catch your breath. Depending on the time you go, the trail may be busy, especially on the weekends. It gets pretty cray cray on the weekends. I haven't been on the weekdays, but I'm sure its quieter during those times. There's a cute sign towards the top (whoever wrote that note, thank you, its the only reason I made it to the top haha) the signs tells you that you are almost to the peak and you only have two hills left. Trust me, that sign came at the exact moment I almost said F- it I'm going down. I'm so glad I pushed through because the view is gorgeous, it will make you talk to God to thank Him/Her of creating something so beautiful. You'll love it, live it, find your meaning. read more

This was a killer trail! If you're not used to hiking this may be a challenge, but once you get to the very top it's worth it. Me and my brother went here with my aunt. We all live in Bellingham so it wasn't a crazy drive. There's a very long gravel road that leads up to various parking lots. They can get very crowded due tok the fact Oyster Dome is a popular tourist attraction, and many people travel many miles to see the amazing experience. We parked in the upper parking lot, so it wasn't as much of a hike as it could've been, but still a long haul. There's many people that run the trails which is fantastic idea, I'll have to try that next time I go here. You'll pass by plenty of people so it's nice to sometimes say hello to others, and they could be literally from anywhere, so what I decided to do is make a fake Australian accent and act like Im from Austrailia to see what people say as they walk by. Once you get to the very top, it's like you're on top of the universe. We unpacked our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chilled out on the rock overlooking the vast waters and forestry. If you're looking for a killer workout, and a fun family hike with a fanatic view, I'd definitely check this place out! read more

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This was a tough hike for sure with the amount of incline. Somehow I managed, maybe the mini breaks where I chugged a bit of my smoothie with protein (peanut butter to be exact) helped give me the burst of energy I needed to suddenly run up some of the inclines. Nonetheless, the view is so worth it at the very top ledge! There are even chipmunks at the top that were sneaking treats out of people's bags. :) There were a couple of ledges so it's nice to just chill and eat a snack/lunch while taking in the pretty view. There's no parking lot; you have to park off the side of the narrow road where the trail starts. read more

Oyster Dome is another very good, lesser known hike. The payoff is excellent with a clearing at the top that allows you to relax and enjoy a beautiful view of north Puget Sound. The hike is not overly strenuous. However, there are definitely a few, very steep inclines that made me huff and puff. It is a very good exercise. The paths are also well maintained. I slightly rolled my ankle but it was due to a wrong step rather than an issue with the road. I would have avoided it completely if I were wearing hiking shoes rather than running shoes. The trailhead is on the milepost 10 marker on Chuckanut Drive, which is off of exit 231 on I-5. It takes a little over an hour to drive north to the beginning of the trailhead from Seattle. You will park right on the side of the road. In addition, you will need the related annual or daily pass to park. When we arrived at the beginning of the trailhead, we saw a sign in a car that read "Oyster Dome or Bust" from a bachelorette party. My friends and I had the same mission statement. There was no bust. If you are visiting Seattle or hiking in the nearby area and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my itinerary, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found via my Yelp profile. read more

This hike kicked my butt, but was 100% worth it! There is a constant gradient and the last stretch really pushes you. Well worth it though and gets pretty crowded on summer days. You can always stop at the first look out it you're looking for a great view without the huge trek. read more