HomeWashingtonBellingham › Stimpson Family Nature Reserve Access Trail

Stimpson Family Nature Reserve Access Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Running trail in Bellingham, Washington · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
2.8 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Stimpson Family Nature Reserve Access Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

2.8 miLoopOpen 24hScenicQuiet

What runners say about Stimpson Family Nature Reserve Access Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (20 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Beautiful and well maintained trails through a quiet and forested wildlife preserve.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Beautiful and well maintained trails through a quiet and forested wildlife preserve.”

Surround yourself with the vertical wisdom of giant Fir trees. Hike is suitable for all capabilities.

★★★★★ — Stephen , Oct 2022

Easy to access loop trails near Sudden Valley. Great for brief walk/hikes in nature. I saw families and trail runners as well as walkers. The shorter loop is the Geneva Pond Loop 2.0 miles long. Both loops make a 4 plus mile loop.

★★★★★ — E , Aug 2025

We loved taking this trail. However, I have no concept of distance in a forest where I can't get a sense of direction. We got off the trail before we should have. The signs give mileage based on a circular path. We wound up in a residential area and walked back on paved streets to get back to entrance.

★★★★☆ — Joan , Aug 2019

One of my favorite walking trails. You can see huge Douglas Firs and varied terrain, while being only minutes from the City. When you are on the trail, you feel like you are miles away for society. Very beautiful and a gem in the Bellingham area.

★★★★★ — Michael , Feb 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“Beautiful and well maintained trails through a quiet and forested wildlife preserve.”

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🔁 Loop trail 7 mentions

“6 mile loop with an additional loop that makes it about 4 miles round-trip”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Beautiful and well maintained trails through a quiet and forested wildlife preserve.”

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Plan your run at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve Access Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • Loop distance2.8 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Stimpson Family Nature Reserve Access Trail

9-11 White Mountain Lane, Bellingham, WA 98229

Get directions

Running trails near Bellingham

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Stimpson Family Nature Reserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 313 reviews

Bellingham, WA

4 miLoopCrushed gravelScenic

Well-kept trails winding through dense forests and wetlands for walks and running.

1.1 miles away

Galbraith Mountain

4.8 ★★★★★ 127 reviews

Bellingham, WA

22 miMixedScenic

Destination offering kid-friendly hiking, biking, and scenic views.

3.2 miles away

Whatcom Falls Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 4,497 reviews

Bellingham, WA

ScenicDog-friendly

Expansive city park set amid hills with waterfalls, a fishing pond, gardens, trails & a playground.

3.7 miles away

Whatcom Falls Park - Woburn Street Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

Bellingham, WA

3.7 miles away

Lake Padden Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,433 reviews

Bellingham, WA

LoopScenicDog-friendly

This sizable lakeside green space offers sport courts & fields, boat access, fishing & trails.

4.8 miles away

Chuckanut Mountain / Pine & Cedar Lakes County Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 128 reviews

Bellingham, WA

2 miScenicDog-friendly

Steep hike to alpine lakes nestled in a forested area that’s popular for camping.

5.1 miles away

All running trails in Bellingham, WA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.