Tennant Lake Park

Just outside the Ferndale city limits, Tennant Lake Park expands east from popular Hovander Homestead Park. The 624-acre site is covered with extensive wetlands, deciduous forests, and riparian vegetation. The shallow lake attracts a host of migratory birds and other fascinating wildlife, all of which can be best observed from the Tennant Lake Marsh Boardwalk.

The interpretive center is a great place to start, and it offers hands-on displays and maps that explain the flora, fauna and natural processes encountered throughout the park. Just outside is the award-winning fragrance garden, where raised beds elevate examples of over 200 plant species. During blooming season, a slow stroll through the garden’s intense blend of colors and scents makes for a sensational experience.

Perhaps the most conspicuous structure on the grounds is the 50-foot observation tower. Views from the top offer a fun perspective on the lands below. Also, the tower is rigged with a unique monitor system that allows disabled visitors to observe first-person views from the base. Looking east, cloudless skies enhance the scenery, with Mount Baker rising wide and tall over the North Cascades.