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Berthusen Park Lynden, WA: Discover It’s Natural Beauty and History

Hours

Berthusen Park is a hidden gem located just northwest of Lynden WA and is a largely wooded 236 acre parcel of land perfect for a walk in the woods.

There are plenty of old growth trees here and well maintained trails. In fact, there are so many trails you could easily get lost if there weren’t several helpful maps and signs guiding you. You can find these at most places where trails intersect. 

On a recent Sunday afternoon, we spent about 45 minutes at a moderately brisk pace and didn’t even cover 25% of the available trails. If you are local, you could make multiple visits and explore different areas of the park each time. 

Trails are mostly level and main trails are wide enough to ride a bike or horse on. Minor trails were single file and had more tree roots to navigate, but still very walkable for all skill levels.

Tip: the trails on the north side of the park are closer to a busy road so for the quietest experience, take the trails south of the main trail.

photo of groomed dirt trail in a forest of trees with sunlight dotting the trail. Berthusen Park Lynden WA
old tree at Berthusen park Lynden WA, photo of tree trunk that divides into to trunks

For the kids, there are several pieces of playground equipment spread amongst a few different picnic areas. So, even if you are picnicking with a group, your kids can play nearby. 

We also picked up a trail map at one of the trail intersections which turned out to be a children’s interpretative walk featuring 12 stations along a ⅔ mile route. At each station, the pamphlet pointed out trees or ferns and gave kids something to ponder. 

history

The location of the park was once the farmstead of Hans and Lida Berthusen, who lived there from the late 1800’s until the 1940’s when they passed. They left the property to the city of Lynden to use as a park. 

Of note, Hans Berthusen is said to have left a 20 acre section as is so that future generations could see what the area looked like before settlers came to the area. Source

A large red barn still stands on the site, as well as a cedar stump hollowed out for use as an outhouse.  Adjacent to the barn are a few historic buildings moved to the park from elsewhere in the county including a log cabin and a small chapel.

  • Red storage barn with text Puget Sound Antique Machinery Association with antique equipment under the eaves.
  • large red barn on the grounds of Berthusen park Lynden WA with blue sky and green evergreen trees in the background
  • Row of 3 historic buildings at Berthusen Park Lynden WA. The closest is a log cabin, the next is an old red shed, and in the background is a small white chapel
  • Antique black tractor on gravel. Berthusen Park Lynden WA

Near the barn, the Puget Sound Antique Tractor Association keeps several pieces of antique farm equipment and holds several events throughout the year including a horse plowing match, tractor pulls, and a vintage farm equipment festival in early August.

What to know

  • Pets are allowed on a leash
  • No motorized vehicles on the trails
  • Keep to the trails at all times
  • Horses are permitted April through October, however only on Mon-Thurs from June through August. See the City of Lynden Parks site for up to date details.
  • Picnic shelters can be reserved through the Parks website (same link as above)

Whatcom county has many rural areas, but despite that we all need to escape into nature now and again. Berthusen is the perfect place to walk, bike or ride in a peaceful forest that is beginner friendly.

How to get to Berthusen Park:

From I-5: Take Exit 270 Birch Bay Lynden Rd. and head east towards Lynden. Turn left on Sunrise Rd. and Right on Badger Rd. Turn Right on Berthusen Rd. The park entrance will be on your right

From Aldergrove/Lynden border crossing: After crossing the border continue south a couple minutes on Guide Meridian. Turn right on Badger Rd. (first traffic light) and proceed west for a little over a mile. Turn left on Berthusen Rd. The park entrance will be on your right.

From Bellingham: Head north on Guide Meridian and past Lynden. Turn left on Main Street. Follow the curve in the road to the right onto Berthusen Rd. Continue straight another mile. The park entrance will be on your left.