Little Mountain Park
A trip to Little Mountain Park is sure to be rewarding for everyone, no matter age or ability. There is a new trail to explore for every hike and endless combinations for a different bike ride or trail run each time. Come in the morning for trail running before breakfast. Drive to the summit in the afternoon for a picnic at the south viewpoint overlooking central Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountain Range. Or visit the north viewpoint and watch a summer sunset over the San Juan Islands and North Puget Sound. There’s a wheel-chair accessible, interpretive Nature Trail; a paved road taking you from the bottom of the mountain to the picnic area and overlooks at its top; and miles of trails great for hiking, mountain biking, running, or walking your dog.
Follow Little Mountain Park on Facebook
South Viewpoint
Located at the summit parking lot, this covered observation deck offers panoramic views of the lower Skagit Valley, Puget Sound, Camano & Whidbey Islands, and Olympic Mountain Range.
NATURE TRAIL
This 1/4 mile long, baby-stroller friendly interpretive trail begins at the East Trailhead leading to a bridge crossing over a seasonal creek, a shaded picnic table, and the start of the Cairn Trail which connects to the rest of the Park's trail system.
NORTH VIEWPOINT
This paraglider styled platform near the summit parking area overlooks the cities of Mount Vernon & Burlington with Padilla Bay, North Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Mt. Baker beyond.
Little Mountain Park is beautiful and accessible all year long. A lot of the hiking spots areas near the Seattle area get snowed over or become difficult to reach in the winter, but the trails on Little Mountain are always available. Few hiking spots near Seattle contain such a variety of trails and you could spend nearly the whole day on Little Mountain and not hike every one of them. Cascadia Weekly’s Best of Skagit 2016 issue listed Little Mountain Park as Skagit Valley’s best spot for hiking, and that’s true in all seasons.
Experienced mountain bikers can test their skills on the switchbacks on the Bonnie and Clyde’s Trail or Sidewinder, while the La-Z-Boy Trail is great for a leisurely hike or walk up the first mile of the mountain. A trail runner looking for a challenge might consider the Up Only Trail – being one of the steepest climbs in the park, it’s name is both a description and a cautionary tale.
HIKING
The Park contains such a variety of hiking trails and you could spend nearly the whole day on Little Mountain and not hike every one of them.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Little Mountain has over 6.5 miles of single-track bike trails plus, there’s the 1.4 mile road for those who prefer a smooth, quick way up to save their energy for the ride down.
TRAIL RUNNING
Little Mountain’s trail network is well designed for runners, offering various 5-6 mile “loop” routes with opportunities to change course every half mile, or so.
One of the things that makes the Pacific Northwest great is the dedication local communities all around the Puget Sound give to protecting opportunities for hiking and other outdoor recreation. Little Mountain Park is a great example of that kind of effort. Since 2009, hundreds of volunteers have spent over 17,000 hours making the park what it is today.
MVPF volunteers have donated over 17,000 man-hours since 2009, building, improving, and maintaining the now 10+ miles of trails at Little Mountain Park. Photo © Peter Wheeler
Are you ready to make a difference at Little Mountain Park? Help us repair the bridges along the La-Z-Boy trail before winter sets in.