The Best Place to Watch The Sunrise in Bellingham

No matter the time of day, Bellingham (for that matter Whatcom County, Washington state, and the Pacific Northwest) is a beautiful place to be. We’re surrounded by nature, countless parks, and trail systems that lead us to wondrous views. But there is something to be said about waking up for a sunrise and being there to experience the first light of day. 

If you’re an early bird looking to get your worm, here are some of our favorite places to watch the sunrise around Bellingham and Whatcom County, and we’ll even squeak in a bonus Skagit County location. 

Where to Watch the Sunrise in Whatcom County

AM Beach in Sudden Valley (Recommended by Carmen and Mary)

AM Beach in Sudden Valley is a “hidden” gem and is relatively unknown to those that live outside of Sudden Valley. The sandy beach provides a great place to build sand castles, wade into Lake Whatcom for a swim, or to launch a boat, and, as the name implies, it’s a great place to see the sun in the morning. Through the summer, the sun rises due east of AM Beach, cresting over Stewart Mountain and creating a lovely atmosphere to drink your morning coffee or tea. 

Bloedel Donovan Park

Bloedel Donovan is a bit of a “do it all” type park. You can swim at the beach and swim dock, launch a boat at the boat launch, shoot hoops on the basketball court, play soccer in the field, run around on the playground, or spike your way to victory on the beach volleyball courts. Most people would associate Bloedel Donovan with spending time in the afternoon sun and cooling off on a hot summer day, but don’t sleep on Bloedel as a great place to watch the sunrise. The park’s east side plays host to a set of beaches where you can catch the cotton candy colors of a PNW sunrise as it reflects on the water and dances amongst the remaining pylons. 

Lake Louise Walking Trail

With a 1.25 mile walking path around it, Lake Louise in Sudden Valley is a perfect destination for runners, families, dog walkers, and birders alike. The lake plays host to several local species of seasonal and resident birds, a family of beavers, and the Sudden Valley Welcome Center. There are several spots along the trail with perfect vantage points for the sunrise, and while you may not see the sun pop over the hills, the lake creates a beautiful reflection. 

Little Squalicum Pier

Little Squalicum Pier has been around for over 100 years, but just opened to the public in 2025. In its previous life, the pier served as a loading dock for ships, but now it acts as a fun attraction and is one of the longest publicly accessible piers on the West Coast. From the end of the pier, visitors get a 360 degree view of Bellingham Bay with the San Juan Islands in the distance to the west and Mount Baker looms over Bellingham to the east. Bring a thermos of your preferred drink, some jackets to shield against the ocean wind, and enjoy the warmth of the new day’s sun from this unique location. 

The Sudden Valley Marina (Recommended by Sydney)

Sudden Valley is checking in with yet another great location for seeing the first light of day. With loads of parking, long beaches, and a dog park to get the morning zoomies out, the Sudden Valley Marina ticks a lot of boxes. Bring a blanket and sit along the water or bring a boat and sit on the water; Whichever choice you make it will definitely be the right one. 

Lake Padden (Recommended by Ashley)

Bellingham’s Lake Padden provides a rare opportunity to watch both the sunrise AND the sunset, and the 2.6 mile gravel walking path that circumnavigates the lake will get you to where you need to go. For the sunrise, check out the fishing dock on the northwest side of the lake or any of the glimpses of the foothills to the east that you can see through the trees of the path. For the sunset, pull up a chair near the picnic area of the fishing pier on the east side of the lake. 

Artist Point (Recommendation and Photo by our Marketing Manager, Reilly)

Located an hour and a half east of Bellingham on the Mt. Baker Highway, Artist Point is undoubtedly the best place to watch the sunrise in Whatcom County. We’re so confident in its beauty that we’d say it could rank in the “Top 20 Best Places To Watch the Sunrise in the World” if that list existed. Is it a long drive to get there? Yes. Is it worth making the drive at 4 o’clock in the morning? Absolutely. Whether you want to watch from the parking lot or hike out Artist’s Ridge with a camp chair, the views are spectacular and will remind you why you moved to Bellingham in the first place. 

Since you drove all that way, you may as well stick around for a bit and get a hike in. Pack some snacks and a couple water bottles and check out Chain Lakes Loop, Lake Ann, Table Mountain, or Ptarmigan Ridge. Then on your way home you can stop at the North Fork Brewery near Kendall for some of the best pizza and beer you’ve ever tasted.  

Skagit County Bonus Location

Heather Maple Pass Loop on the North Cascade Highway (Highway 20)

Want more epic views and don’t mind driving even further from Bellingham than Artist Point? This one’s for you. Head east on Highway 20 in Skagit County until you reach the Rainy Pass Picnic Area. Make sure you get there early to find parking, because this is one of the most popular hikes in the state. Once you’re situated, head up the Maple Pass Loop in the counter clockwise direction (going clockwise is quite steep) until the trees thin and you’re amongst the larches. Pick your spot, stop for some snacks, and soak in the views. As you climb through the dark it’s difficult to tell what is happening outside of your headlamp beam, but behind you is an unobstructed view of Cutthroat Pass and the mountains beyond. 

Bonus Sunset Watching Location

Taylor Dock (Recommended by Jessi)

We’ve talked a lot about sunrises, but what about a great spot to watch the sunset? There are numerous beaches and parks around Bellingham’s waterfront to see the day’s end, but Taylor Dock in Fairhaven is one of the best. Get dinner at one of Fairhaven’s many restaurants, or right there above the dock at Keenan’s on the Pier, and then walk it off as you journey toward Boulevard Park. The sun will dip behind the San Juan Islands, but only after it casts a magical glow on Bellingham Bay and the moored Sail Boats. 

Looking for more spots to watch the sunrise in Whatcom County? Don't hesitate to ask us for more recommendations. 

About the Weitzel & Andrew Home Team

For more than 50 years, the Weitzel & Andrew Home Team has helped buyers and sellers navigate the Sudden Valley and greater Whatcom County real estate market. Our passion for this community extends beyond real estate. We believe in supporting the people, events, and organizations that make this such a special place to call home.

Whether you're buying, selling, or simply exploring your options, we're here to be your trusted local resource.