Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway: Evergreen Forests & Emerald Bays

Chuckanut Drive is a scenic coastal road that stretches along the Puget Sound in Washington State, offering breathtaking views of emerald bays, tranquil waters, and evergreen forests. The winding, two-lane route runs through quaint small towns like Fairhaven and Bow, providing travelers with a picturesque drive full of natural beauty, with opportunities to stop at local farms, parks, and beaches.

Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway, a twenty-two-mile stretch often compared to California’s Big Sur, winds through lush evergreen forests and alongside the emerald waters of Samish Bay. The winding road hugs towering sandstone cliffs, offering stunning views of the shoreline.

As Washington’s first designated scenic byway, Chuckanut Drive holds a unique distinction: it is the only place where the Cascade Mountains meet the sea. Picturesque views unfold around every bend, with several pullouts along the way to take in the enchanting scenery.

Larrabee State Park, Washington’s first designated state park which is located along the way, offers plenty of outdoor pursuits for nature enthusiasts. But even if you don’t have time for activities, this is still a lovely drive worth taking—and a fantastic detour between Seattle and destinations north of Bellingham.

The scenic byway begins in Burlington, off Interstate-5 at exit 231, and travels along State Highway 11 to Fairhaven, a district of Bellingham. While the drive can be started from either the south or north, this itinerary will highlight the best stops when traveling from Fairhaven.

Best Stops along Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway

Fairhaven

First stop on this Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway driving itinerary is Fairhaven, a historic neighborhood in Bellingham. Known for its charming Victorian-era architecture, Fairhaven offers a delightful mix of boutique stores, independent bookshops, and several fantastic restaurants. The district’s picturesque streets are perfect for strolling and offer a glimpse into the area’s rich history.

Be sure to set aside an hour to explore the downtown area. If you have extra time, take a leisurely walk along the Bellingham Boardwalk, a scenic overwater trail that starts in Boulevard Park. The boardwalk offers stunning views of Bellingham Bay, making it a peaceful spot for reflection and a bit of fresh air.

Afterward, stop by The Woods Coffee at Boulevard Park, a cozy café with a fantastic view, perfect for a relaxing break before continuing your journey. If Fairhaven is your final stop, you’ll be pleased to know that this coffee shop stays open late, offering the perfect spot to unwind before you call it a day.

Read: 10 Fun Things To Do in Fairhaven, Washington.

Larrabee State Park

Larrabee State Park, situated on the western side of Chuckanut Mountain offers postcard-perfect views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. Known as one of Washington State’s most beautiful destinations, it’s a must-visit on this Chuckanut Drive road trip!

With over 8,000 feet of shoreline, the park features plenty of bays and coves to explore. If you have your own kayak or paddleboard, the Larrabee State Park Boat Launch is the perfect spot to set off and discover this scenic paradise from the water.

No watercraft? No problem! You can still enjoy the park by strolling along the picturesque shoreline, hiking around rocky headlands, or by exploring fascinating tidepools.

In addition to its emerald bays and coves, the park’s 2,683 acres also include lush evergreen forests, offering great opportunities for hiking and mountain biking.

If you’re up for adventure, there are several forest trails that lead to beautiful viewpoints over Samish Bay. One standout is the hike to Fragrance Lake, a 4-mile loop trail that leads to an overlook of the bay on the way to one of the park’s two pristine lakes. However, be prepared—the trail is steep and challenging, so make sure you’re ready for the climb!

For those seeking an even more demanding experience, the trek up Chuckanut Mountain is a must. This 6.1-mile trail delivers a heart-pumping challenge with a 2,000-foot elevation gain, but the stunning panoramic views from the summit are well worth the effort.

Whether you’re looking for a moderate hike or a more strenuous adventure, these trails promise an unforgettable experience for first time visitors to Washington State.

Camping: Larrabee State Park has a campground that accommodates both RVs and tents. Campsites are nestled under tall Douglas Fir trees and feature picnic tables and fire pits. The highlight of staying at this campground is its proximity to Samish Bay, which is just a few short steps away. On a moonlit evening, the light dances on the bay’s water, creating an unforgettable, romantic sight for campers.

View Point

View Point, an overlook on Chuckanut Drive, offers one of the most breathtaking vistas of the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, especially at sunset. During the summer, the water glistens in a stunning blue hue, and as the sun dips below the horizon, the sky transforms into a vibrant peach. As twilight sets in, the stars begin to appear, adding to the magic of the scene.

Even if you miss sunset, there’s no need to worry—twilight lingers until around 11:30 pm in these parts, giving you plenty of time to catch the spectacular seascape.

We’ve spent countless hours exploring this scenic byway, and one of our favorite activities is to bring camp chairs and a few cold beers to soak in the view from this spot, whether it’s during the day or as the sun sets. If you have the chance, I highly recommend doing the same and making time to enjoy the beauty of this place.

Taylor Shellfish Farm

Taylor Shellfish Farms is renowned throughout the Pacific Northwest for cultivating some of the finest shellfish, from geoducks and clams, to a variety of oysters. While the company operates several farms across Washington’s bays and inlets, the Bow location on Chuckanut Drive is particularly special.

At this stunning location, premium shellfish are raised across 1,700 acres of tidal mudflats in picturesque Samish Bay. This allows you to enjoy the freshest seafood while overlooking one of the most beautiful places on the West Coast!

While a variety of mollusks are grown here, the most popular with visitors are the Pacific oysters, prized for their plump, ‘meaty’ texture and subtly sweet flavor. These oysters, available in small, medium, and large sizes, can be enjoyed on the half shell or grilled.

The farm also grows Kumamoto oysters, a Japanese variety beloved for their sweet, clean, and fruity flavor. With a complex cultivation process that takes an excruciatingly long time—about two to three years to reach market size, the Kumamoto is considered rare. So be sure to seize the opportunity to try this exquisite delicacy during your visit.

Onsite is a retail shop that sells oysters, clams, geoducks, mussels, scallops, prawns, Dungeness crab, halibut, salmon, and more to take home.

However, it’s best to take advantage of the ‘tide to table’ service. You can select your catch and enjoy it at one of the waterfront picnic tables, savoring the fresh seafood alongside breathtaking views. The staff will lend you shucking knives so you can open the oysters yourself, or they can do it for you if you prefer.

While the warmer months make for a more pleasant experience, don’t let winter deter you from visiting—you might just get lucky with a gorgeous sunny day like we did. But if not, there is a small indoor seating area.

Once upon a time when we lived in Bellingham, Taylor Shellfish Farm allowed BYO, and we enjoyed the challenge of finding the perfect beer or wine to pair with the oysters. However, now that they have their own bar, outside alcohol and food are no longer allowed on the premises— a convenient change indeed!

Taylor Shellfish Farm’s retail store is open daily from 10am until sunset. Seating is first come first served. Note, tables get taken quickly on weekends!

Edison

Nestled in the heart of scenic Skagit Valley, Edison is a charming and picturesque farming community that beckons visitors with its timeless beauty and laid-back atmosphere. First settled in 1869 and named after the brilliant inventor Thomas Edison, this small village on the Samish delta is a hidden gem, and a place where you can see beautiful views of Mount Baker to the northeast and the sparkling waters of Samish Bay to the west.

Downtown Edison is a treasure trove of creativity and flavor, with a handful of art galleries and cozy restaurants that give the town its unique character. Surrounding the town, backroads lead to small, family-owned farms where you can discover a variety of locally grown produce, such as berries and apples, as well as artisanal cheeses.

One place you simply cannot miss is Terramar Brewstillery, a true gem for craft beverage enthusiasts. This unique spot combines a brewery, distillery, and cider house in one, producing everything from crisp ciders and aromatic single malt whisky to smooth vodka and gin.

All the beer here is crafted from barley grown in the Skagit Valley, and the ever-changing tap list highlights the seasonal flavors that make this region so unique. The locally grown and malted barley is also used in their small-batch spirits, and for their cider, apples are sourced from nearby Cedardale Farms. By using locally sourced ingredients, Terramar showcases Skagit Valley’s fertile farmlands and highlights Washington’s rich agricultural bounty, making it a true representation of the state’s craft beverage scene.

Just around the corner, Breadfarm is another Edison must-visit. This artisan bakery has earned a reputation for its high-quality bread and decadent pastries. Their Moroccan oil-cured black olive ciabatta is a standout, and the Samish River potato bread made with local russet potatoes is simply divine.

But it’s not just the bread that makes Breadfarm special—the pastries are in a league of their own. The savory danish, with organic egg, pesto, and smoked ham, is a crowd favorite, while the seasonal fruit danishes, from blueberries in the summer to apples in the fall and winter, offer a delicious taste of the region’s harvests.

Even their scrumptious shortbread cookies feature locally sourced ingredients: the cocoa nib shortbread, my personal favorite, is made with Theo Chocolates from Seattle, while the hazelnut espresso shortbread features hazelnuts from Holmquist Hazelnut Farm in Lynden and espresso from Caffe Umbria.

The demand for Breadfarm’s products is so high that they often sell out before the day ends, with regular customers pre-ordering their favorites online so the earlier you arrive the better!

Edison’s charming pastoral landscape, artisanal food, and friendly locals have made it a popular day trip destination from Seattle—and it’s easy to see why. Don’t miss this stop on your road trip!

Bow Hill Blueberries

On the other side of Edison, just east of Chuckanut Drive (Highway 11) you’ll find Bow Hill Blueberries—the oldest family-run blueberry farm in the Skagit Valley. Established in 1947, this farm offers the most delicious and nutritious certified organic blueberries, which you can pick yourself during harvest season.

They specialize in heirloom berries, and have over 4,500 bushes featuring a mix of Rubel, Stanley, Jersey, and Bluecrop varieties. During harvest season, the farm offers grazing passes, allowing you to wander the fields and enjoy fresh blueberries right off the bush. They also offer guided tours, though bookings must be made in advance.

Blueberry picking season typically runs from July to September, but if you’re visiting outside that window, don’t worry—there’s a farm store open year-round, seven days a week!

At the farm store, you’ll find a variety of blueberry products, including pickled heirloom blueberries, blueberry marinade, salad dressing, juice, powder, and more. The store is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Samish Bay Cheese

If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to stop in Edison or visit Bow Hill Blueberries, make sure to visit Samish Bay Cheese, conveniently located right off Chuckanut Drive at the Bow-Edison junction. This is the perfect spot to sample the finest local produce from the Skagit Valley.

Samish Bay Cheese produces top-quality fresh and aged cheeses using only milk from their own herd of cows, primarily a mixed herd of Milking Shorthorns. They also use their milk to make yogurt and labneh. The grass-green fields of the Skagit Valley provide an ideal environment for organic farming, ensuring the highest quality milk and cheese.

Handcrafted in small batches, their organic specialty cheeses include cheddar, queso, feta, and gouda, all made in Mama wheels (2 pounds), baby wheels (1 pound), and smaller cuts. In addition to cheese, Samish Bay also offers a variety of farm-raised meats, including beef, pork, lamb, and veal.

Their farm store is stocked with even more locally sourced artisan products, including wine, cider, beer, juice, honey, jams, and other items.

The farm is open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm, so be sure to stop by and enjoy everything this local treasure has to offer.

Snow Geese of the Pacific Flyway (winter only)

Every winter, Snow Geese flock to the Skagit Valley in the thousands, transforming the region into a spectacular migratory haven. These geese spend the cold months on the valley’s farmlands and estuaries, taking refuge before flying back north to the Arctic in the spring. There, they will raise their young on the open tundra, feeding until it’s time to begin their migration south once more.

What’s fascinating is that most of the Snow Geese wintering in the Skagit Valley were born on Wrangel Island in Russia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the northernmost nesting ground for over 100 migratory bird species, making it an extraordinary place in the avian world.

Annual counts of Snow Geese here often exceed 50,000 birds, so witnessing such a large and lively flock in one place is nothing short of awe-inspiring!

Because our Chuckanut Drive road trip coincided with the geese’s winter stay in Western Washington, we were able to witness the extraordinary sight. Watching them move from field to field in search of food, their pure white feathers contrasting against the green pastures, while Bald Eagles soared above, was mesmerizing. Adding to the drama, snow-capped Mount Baker loomed majestically in the background.

One of the most surprising aspects of the experience was how noisy the birds were. Their boisterous honking could be heard from miles away! The sound was almost as impressive as the sight (If you’re curious, you can listen to the calls of Snow Geese here.)

If you’re driving through the Skagit River Delta between mid-October and early May and want to catch a glimpse of these migratory birds, consider taking a detour along the end of State Route 11 (Chuckanut Drive).

Since the geese are constantly moving between fields, it’s impossible to predict exactly where they’ll be. One tell-tale sign a flock is nearby is the sight of birdwatchers pulled over along the road with their cameras and expensive zoom lenses in hand. Follow the back farm roads, and you’re likely to stumble upon them.

Where to stay on Chuckanut Drive

Lodging options along Chuckanut Drive are limited, with the main choice being the campground at Larrabee State Park. However, since the entire scenic byway spans just 22 miles, this is hardly an issue.

On the northern end of the route, Fairhaven is the ideal place to stay, where you’ll find charming bed and breakfasts as well as several waterfront hotels. If you’re looking for more affordable options, downtown Bellingham has a range of budget-friendly hotels, all conveniently located near local restaurants and bars.

For accommodations on the southern end of Chuckanut Drive, your best options are chain hotels along Interstate-5 or in the nearby town of Burlington.

Recommended Hotels in Fairhaven

The Fairhaven Village Inn – This charming hotel is located in the heart of the historic Fairhaven district and offers spacious west facing rooms with a partial view of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands. Rooms feature a gas fireplace and sliding doors that open onto a patio with two chairs where you can enjoy magical sunsets.

Chrysalis Inn & Spa by Hilton – The Chrysalis Inn is a 4-star hotel that overlooks Bellingham Bay and is within walking distance to the restaurants and shops of Fairhaven. Guestrooms and suites come with a fireplace and bay windows with water views. There is an onsite restaurant serving local northwest cuisine as well as a full service spa.

Recommended Hotels in Bellingham

Four Points by Sheraton – This hotel in downtown Bellingham sits adjacent to a grocery store and The Woods Coffee Shop. Rooms are well appointed and there is an onsite restaurant, bar, gym, and indoor swimming pool.

Recommended Hotels in Burlington

La Quinta – The La Quinta is located in downtown Burlington close to a variety of chain restaurants. Rooms are simple, spacious, and clean and all stays come with a hot breakfast.

Comfort Suites – This affordable hotel near downtown Burlington offers large, clean rooms that come with breakfast. There is an indoor swimming pool and common lounge area.

Use the interactive map above to search for hotels and vacation homes in Bellingham. Recommended hotels, campgrounds, and other points of interest have also been marked on the map.

Camping at Larrabee State Park

The Larrabee State Park Campground is open year round and offers campsites with full hookups as well as primitive sites. The campground has picnic tables, toilets, showers, and a dump station. Reservations can be made between May 15 and September 15, however the campground operates on a first come first serve basis during the off-season. Note, the Amtrak train travels through the area so it can be noisy at times. Book your campsite online or phone 888 – 226-7688.

When is the best time to visit Chuckanut Drive?

Ideally, Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway is best enjoyed in the summer when there’s little chance of rain, and the long daylight hours— with sunset around 8 p.m.— provide ample time for outdoor activities.

However, autumn is equally stunning, as the maple and alder trees burst into vibrant color. Even in winter, the drive remains captivating—while drizzle may be common, there’s something surreal about the Pacific Northwest forests, shrouded in fog and glistening with raindrops.

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