Oyster Dome Trail

Destination

Oyster Dome

Directions

There are a couple different ways to get to the Oyster Dome from either side of Blanchard Mountain.

From I-5, take Hwy 11 north for 10.2 miles. Trailhead is on East side of the road just after mile post 10.

Alternatively, From I-5, take exit 240 and head West to Barrel Springs Road. Take the tight left turn and follow for about 0.7 miles to a gravel road on your right. Follow to the end to parking at Samish Overlook.

On nice days, this can be a popular trail and parking can be sparse. Chuckanut Drive (Hwy 11) does not have a lot of shoulder space. The parking at Samish Overlook can fill up with many cars parked along the roadside - sometimes both sides.

Notes

If you're looking for a more difficult/strenuous route, take the trailhead from Hwy 11. From this route, you'll gain the most elevation and distance following the switchbacks up the side of the mountain.

The route from the Samish Overlook side will still give your legs a workout. The distance is not as far and not as much elevation gained by foot.

The view from the Oyster Dome is spectacular to say the least. Even on somewhat cloudy days, Chuckanut Bay at your feet and the Olympic Mountains majestically rising in the west with the San Juan Islands in between. Skagit County farmlands are visible to the south just below, Camano Island just beyond and if it were clear enough, you'd be able to see Mt. Rainier. To the west, Vancouver Island is visible and the Canadian Cascade Mountains to the north.