Northern State Recreation Area
Wander the former farm grounds of a state mental health hospital
Quick Facts:
Location: Skagit Valley
Distance: more than 7.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain: up to 400 feet
Contact: Skagit County Parks
Detailed Information: Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Books)
Notes: dogs permitted on leash; park open dawn to dusk.
Access: From Exit 230 on I-5 in Burlington head east on SR 20 for 8.2 miles driving through Sedro-Woolley. Then turn left onto Helmick Road and continue 0.4 mile turning left into park.
Good to Know: snow free hiking destination, historic, kid-friendly, dog-friendly
What was once a large dairy farm for the historically significant Northern State Hospital is now a popular 723-acre Skagit County Park. There’s plenty of history here with barns dating back to the 1920s. But unfortunately the elements over time and a lack of maintenance is taking a toll on these prominent structures. But beyond the old farm buildings you’ll find a couple of salmon-rearing creeks, sprawling wetland meadows, quiet secluded fields and some big trees. And the area is full of mystique too, including claims of hauntings adding a little excitement to your adventuring.
In 1909, the Northern State Hospital was built just to the west of the park. It was designed by the Massachusetts-based Olmstead Brothers, an influential landscape architectural firm responsible for designing many highly acclaimed projects; among them Portland, Oregon’s and Seattle’s park systems, as well as scenic drives in Acadia, Yosemite, and Great Smoky Mountains national parks.
The hospital treated patients with mental illnesses and was generally regarded as one of the better facilities in the country at the time. It had its own farm worked by patients providing its own food and clothing. After the hospital closed, the farm became a park, while the hospital grounds with its beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival architecture provided office and facility space for several operations. Two trails connect the park the historic grounds where you can walk around and check out the structures. Just stay out of any closed to the public areas.
There are several old farm roads since converted to trails that traverse the old pastures. Views of surrounding mountains are good along these trails. Be aware of a popular disc golf course here while you are exploring the park. The trails on the park’s western end tend to be quieter than the ones to the north. Here much of the terrain is wetland meadow and restored Hansen Creek floodplain. The paths are elevated and they usually stay dry.
The Skagit Trail Builders over the past several years have constructed a few miles of new well-built attractive trails in the park. The Pumphouse Trail travels along the east side of Hill Creek. While the Hill Creek Trail travels along its western side through attractive mature forests. This trail will eventually be extended making a wonderful two mile loop in the park’s northwest corner. Return often to monitor the trail’s progress—or better yet get involved with its construction by volunteering with the Skagit Trail Builders.
For more details on this hike and many other wonderful all-year family friendly destinations in the Skagit Valley and Western Whatcom County, pick up a copy of my Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Books).
