Squires Lake Park is an 84-acre county park built around a small lake, sitting right off I-5 near the Skagit County line at the south edge of Whatcom County. Its accessibility is a big part of the appeal: it is a quick exit off the freeway, which makes it an easy stop for a walk. The signature route is an easy 1.1-mile loop around the lake, and from there you can extend onto ridge trails and a beaver-pond trail for more distance and elevation. The park also connects to the Pacific Northwest Trail. There is parking and restrooms on site, along with fishing, a horse trail and good wildlife viewing. It is a versatile, convenient trail park for a wide range of visitors.

What you’ll find

The easy 1.1-mile lake loop is the heart of Squires Lake Park, a manageable walk around the water that suits families and casual hikers. From the loop you can branch onto ridge trails that climb for views and onto a beaver-pond trail, giving you the option to turn a short visit into a longer outing. The park connects to the Pacific Northwest Trail for those going further afield. You can fish the lake, and there is a horse trail along with reliable wildlife viewing, including the beaver activity the pond is known for. Parking and restrooms are on site. Being right off I-5 makes it one of the easiest county parks to reach, which is why it sees steady use from both Whatcom and Skagit visitors.

Good for

Families and casual walkers on the easy lake loop, hikers wanting to add ridge or beaver-pond miles, anglers fishing the lake, equestrians on the horse trail, and anyone passing on I-5 who wants a quick nature break. The wildlife viewing, especially around the beaver pond, is a draw for kids and birdwatchers alike. With its freeway-adjacent location and on-site parking and restrooms, it is about as convenient as a trail park gets. It is not a developed swim-and-picnic lake park, so go in expecting trails and quiet water rather than a beach scene. The PNT connection makes it a useful access point for longer treks too.

When to go

Squires Lake Park works across the seasons, with the easy lake loop walkable in most conditions and the ridge trails best when the ground is dry. Spring and early summer are good for wildlife and beaver-pond activity, while fall brings quieter trails and color. The convenient I-5 access means it can get busy on nice weekends, so an earlier arrival helps if you want solitude. If you plan to extend onto the ridge or connect to the Pacific Northwest Trail, give yourself more time and check conditions first. As always, confirm any seasonal trail notes with the county before a longer outing.

A local broker’s take

Buyers looking at the south end of Whatcom County, toward the Skagit line, are often after a bit more space and an easier commute south, and Squires Lake Park is a nice piece of that area’s appeal. An 84-acre park with an easy lake loop, right off the freeway, is the kind of close-by recreation that makes a more rural location feel connected rather than isolated. When I show homes in the south county, I point out access points like this, because quick outdoor escapes matter when you are a little further from town. If the southern edge of the county interests you, I can walk you through what is available and how it sits relative to I-5 and parks like this.

Good to know

How long is the loop trail at Squires Lake Park?

The main lake loop is about 1.1 miles and is easy, making it a good walk for families and casual hikers. You can extend the outing onto ridge trails and a beaver-pond trail, and the park connects to the Pacific Northwest Trail.

Is Squires Lake Park easy to get to?

Yes. The park sits right off I-5 near the Skagit County line, so it is a quick exit off the freeway. It has on-site parking and restrooms, which makes it one of the most convenient county parks to reach for a walk.