Olsen Creek State Forest and Galbraith Mountain

Recreation

DNR's Northwest Region offers diverse recreation opportunities and breathtaking views across the Salish Sea and mountain ranges of western Washington.

Tips for Your Visit

• Don't forget your Discover Pass! Learn more about it at DiscoverPass.wa.gov
• Enjoy a campfire in approved fire pits only. Always check for burn restrictions before lighting a campfire.
• Don't Move Firewood. Help protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. Please purchase firewood near your campsite. Find more information here.

Leave No Trace

For your safety and the safety of our wildlife, please follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace. You can brush up on them here. Food and garbage that is left behind or improperly disposed of can attract wildlife and create potentially dangerous situations for visitors. Please pack out all food items and garbage. NEVER feed wildlife.

Baker to Bellingham

The Baker to Bellingham Non-Motorized Recreation Plan is complete.

After three years of collaborative effort and planning, we are pleased to present the Baker to Bellingham Non-Motorized Recreation Plan - the guiding document for sustainable recreation experiences in Whatcom County for the next 15 years. You can find the document here and take a closer look at the Recreation Planning Concept Map here.

Recreation Sites

Olsen Creek State Forest 

The 3,575-acre Olsen Creek State Forest, located near Lake Whatcom in Whatcom County, is a working forest managed to provide sustainable revenue in support of public services along with opportunities for non-motorized recreation. The trail system spans more than seven miles and provides recreational opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The 2019 Baker to Bellingham Non-Motorized Recreation Plan guides recreation development and management in Whatcom County and advances the goals of the 2025 Outdoor Access and Responsible Recreation (OARR) Strategic Plan. 

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed the non-motorized trail system in partnership with the Washington Trails Association (WTA), Whatcom Chapter of Backcountry Horsemen of Washington (BCHW), and Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC). Sustainably built trails help prevent non-designated use that could harm sensitive wildlife habitats and deliver sediment to Lake Whatcom — the drinking water for the City of Bellingham. Trail users at Olsen Creek can explore thoughtfully planned routes designed to avoid environmentally critical areas and culturally and historically significant resources.  

Logging trucks, heavy equipment, and other vehicles use the forest roads in Olsen Creek State Forest. Be ready to yield the right-of-way. Secondary forest roads and trails on abandoned road grades may be used for forest management activities at any time. Please abide by trail signage and closures.   

• View the trail system map here.

• Day use only, camping is not permitted. 

• Fires are not permitted.  

• Practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all food items and garbage. 

Parking and Trailhead 

• The Y Road Trailhead (3504 Y Road, Bellingham, WA) is owned by Whatcom County and jointly maintained by Backcountry Horsemen and Whatcom County Parks & Recreation.   

• A Discover Pass is not required at the County’s Y Road Trailhead. 

• Do not park in dedicated equestrian and trailer parking spots if hiking or biking.  

• Do not block any gates when parking.  

Galbraith Mountain DNR Trails

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages 50 acres of state trust lands on Galbraith Mountain in Bellingham and generates revenue for Whatcom County public services by leasing communication sites and managing timber sales. The forest land includes trails that connect to the extensive Galbraith Mountain trail system that is managed jointly by the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC) and City of Bellingham on surrounding privately-owned timber lands. The trails on DNR-managed land are maintained in partnership with WMBC. 

Logging trucks, heavy equipment, and other vehicles use the forest roads at Galbraith Mountain. Be ready to yield the right-of-way. Please abide by trail signage and closures.   

• View the Galbraith Mountain DNR Trails map

• For access and parking information, visit the “HOW TO GET THERE” section on WMBC’s Galbraith website.  

• Day use only, camping is not permitted. 

• Fires are not permitted.  

• Practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all food items and garbage. 

Other recreation opportunities

Find more recreation opportunities near Whatcom County at our Blanchard and Nearby Islands webpage. Use our statewide interactive recreation map to find recreation opportunities near you.