Bloedel Donovan Park

I visited Bloedel Donovan Park recently and enjoyed my time there, but I do wish it wasn’t so packed at different moments throughout the day with parking, the traffic due to construction, and finding good sitting areas away from others. I really loved the scenic outlook of Lake Whatcom on the water with views of mountain ranges and clear skies. Very picturesque! I appreciated the snippets of wildlife that frequented the park during my stay and it was quite nice being shaded and lying underneath older trees to beat the heat of the day. The park seems rather accommodating to interests such as: boating, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and lounging. They even have a volleyball court and a playground for those with the energy for it. Dogs are allowed, but only in designated areas and if you love a good picnic, they have plenty of seating for it. If you are wanting to take a boat out, please be mindful of tracking in and out invasive aquatic species, as there are city members who discuss these precautions before entering the water. From the looks of it, it seems like a popular park, so there is that to consider as well. It’s definitely worth the time to visit and spend a few hours there, no matter what you get up to!

I launched a kayak from the small boat rental area and appreciated how the park mixes easy lake access, a sandy launch, picnic areas, playgrounds, and open lawn into one tidy, family-friendly spot; the on-site boat rentals and swim docks make a short outing feel effortless. Trails and greenspace are good for a relaxed stroll or an active afternoon of volleyball and ball fields, so bring a jacket for breezy lake afternoons and arrive early on warm weekends for easier parking and quieter picnic spots.

This park is about 25 min away from Black Mountain Ranch. Turn left on Brighton and follow the road to the lake. It's a fabulous swimming whole for all ages. Boat and paddle board rentals, etc. Picnic tables, public restrooms and hot water outdoor shower. Jungle gym and volleyball nets give everyone something to do. Dog friendly!

An amazing find! We found this place by accident. By continuing our walk from the Whatcom Falls Park, we reached this amazing park where you can swim by the lake and enjoy the sun laying on the sand. Lot of area for picnic, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and even jet skiing!

This was our first time here. We came here for the annual Radiant Heart Pet Memorial. This was a very nice park. If we lived closer we would definitely come here often!! And the pet memorial was sooo very nice!! We will definitely make the trip up here every year.