Celebrate Trails Day is Saturday, and Bellingham’s schedule of events is packed
Trails across Whatcom County will be in the spotlight Saturday, April 25 as a part of a national Celebrate Trails Day.
The celebration will also serve to launch the newly reformed Recreation Northwest Trails Coalition, which serves to promote the interconnected trails in the county as a type of transportation network.
The coalition, which recently renamed itself from simply Recreation Northwest, is using the event to re-announce itself in the Whatcom County community. The organization serves as steward to all trails in Whatcom County, but has a specific focus on the Bay to Baker and Salish Coast Trail, according to founder and CEO Todd Elsworth.
“We are really looking forward to launching this new trails coalition and being this new voice for people for our regional trails,” Elsworth told The Bellingham Herald in an interview. “As we launch this coalition, we are also launching this membership campaign and looking to get people to join as members.”
Celebrate Trail Day begins Saturday morning with multiple events across the county. People looking to participate in the Trail Day are encouraged to register for the event through the Recreation Northwest Trails Coalition website.
“One thing I really want to show off is, yes, this is a regional trail, but here are all the different ways that it can be used,” Elsworth said.
The Bellingham Outdoor Research Retail Store in Fairhaven will serve as the central HUB for events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events at Outdoor Research will take advantage of its location near the Interurban Trail, which is part of the Salish Coast Trail. Events will include a family gravel trail bike ride, hosted by the Whatcom County Mountain Bike Coalition; an advanced ride, hosted by Dig Deep Tours; and a tour of the Padden Creek Fish Passage, hosted by the city of Bellingham, according to Elsworth.
A community walk to the Peace Arch State Park will take place on the Salish Coast Trail starting at 11 a.m. at the Blaine Community Center.
Walk and Roll Bellingham will host a 3.6-mile “Slow Stroll” on the Bay to Baker Trail starting at 10 a.m. at Cornwall Memorial Park. Bellingham Parks and Recreation will host a tour of the newly built Sunset Pond Loop.
Coalition and Whatcom County staff will be at the Mt. Baker Visitor Center in Maple Falls to discuss with the community the future of the Bay to Baker Trail in eastern Whatcom County from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 11 a.m., Bud Harwick with the Mount Baker Club will lead a historical walk on the Harvey Haggard section of the Bay to Baker Trail.
Trail day will conclude with an after-party at the Stones Throw Brewery in Fairhaven from 4 to 9 p.m.
This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 3:47 PM.
.jpg)