If you haven't walked the elevated boardwalk at Tennant Lake yet this summer, now is the time. The 624-acre park just south of Ferndale, WA is at peak beauty in late June, with water lilies blooming across the marsh and the adjacent fragrance garden in full color. It's one of Whatcom County's most underrated outdoor spots, and summer mornings are when it shines.
Tennant Lake is co-managed by Whatcom County Parks and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as part of the Whatcom Wildlife Area. The site sits about a mile southeast of downtown Ferndale and connects via trail to the neighboring Hovander Homestead Park, a 700-acre property with a historic farmstead, livestock, and river access along the Nooksack. Together, the two parks make for a full half-day outing.
The boardwalk is the centerpiece of the Tennant Lake experience. It winds through the wetland marsh on elevated wooden planking, letting visitors look down into the water without disturbing the habitat below. Water lilies typically peak in late June and July, and patient visitors can spot great blue herons, red-winged blackbirds, and the occasional muskrat along the water's edge. The 50-foot observation tower at the edge of the marsh offers panoramic views of the wetland and the hills beyond.
Adjacent to the lake, the fragrance garden was designed specifically for visitors with visual impairments, with labeled plantings at waist height and textured paths for navigation. It has won recognition as one of the most thoughtfully designed sensory gardens in the Pacific Northwest, and it's worth a visit even if accessibility isn't a concern. In late June, lavender, rosemary, and dozens of other fragrant plants are in full bloom.
Getting there is straightforward. The primary parking area for Hovander Homestead is at 5299 Nielsen Road in Ferndale. Tennant Lake has a separate smaller lot off Nielsen Road but lacks ADA-designated spaces, so visitors with accessibility needs should use the Hovander lot and take the connecting trail. The walk between the two parks is flat and takes about 10 minutes.
Dogs are welcome on leash throughout both parks. The trails are gravel and boardwalk, making them accessible for strollers and wheelchairs on the main routes. Mosquitoes can be present near the marsh, particularly on still mornings, so bug spray is recommended. The park has no entry fee.
Tennant Lake is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Bellingham via I-5 north to the Ferndale exit, then west along Main Street and south on Hovander Road. It's an easy addition to a Ferndale errand run or a standalone weekend excursion. The park is open year-round, but summer mornings before 10 a.m. offer the best wildlife activity and the most comfortable temperatures before the day heats up.
For more information on the trail system and park hours, the Whatcom County Parks department maintains current updates on conditions and amenities. The Hovander Homestead interpretive center is typically open on weekends during summer months for those interested in the agricultural history of the Nooksack Valley.
