Step Back in Time: A Day at Hovander Homestead Park

 



If you are looking for a place where history, nature, and stunning views collide, Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale, WA, is a local treasure that feels like a hidden portal to the past. Spanning 350 acres along the banks of the Nooksack River, it’s a perfect escape for a Saturday morning or a golden-hour stroll.


 

A Glimpse into the Past

The park’s natural history is rooted in the fertile floodplains of the Nooksack River. Long before it was a park, this land was a bustling pioneer farm. In 1898, Hakan Hovander—a Swedish architect and bricklayer—purchased the property. He spent years treating the wood for his massive barn and manor-like farmhouse with linseed oil, a craft that has kept these buildings standing beautifully for over a century. Today, it remains a working farm, preserved to give us a window into 20th-century Northwest life.


 

Getting There & Logistics

For those coming from the South (Bellingham or beyond):

  • Take I-5 North to Exit 262 (Main Street/Ferndale).

  • Head west toward downtown Ferndale.

  • Just after the railroad underpass, make a sharp left onto Hovander Drive.

  • Follow it to Nielsen Avenue, and you’ll find the park entrance.

Pro-Tip: There are clean, accessible restrooms located conveniently near the main farmhouse and the red barn


 

The Walk: A Narrative Journey

Start your journey at the historic farmhouse. Wander through the Master Gardener demonstration gardens where sunflowers tower over you in the summer.

From the house, head toward the massive red barn (built in 1911!). Keep your ears open for the honking of a gaggle of geese; they are the self-appointed guardians of the barnyard. You might also spot chickens with "funky hairdos" or lazy bunnies in the animal contact area.


 

The Tower & The View Behind the barn, you’ll find the 50-foot observation tower. Climb the wooden stairs to the top for the ultimate payoff: a stunning, unobstructed view of Mount Baker (Komo Kulshan) looming over the horizon, its white peak reflected in the nearby marsh waters.


 

The River & The Marsh Follow the Nooksack River Trail for a flat, easy walk alongside the water. You can watch for eagles perched in the snags or herons fishing in the shallows. If you have the energy, take the connector trail over to Tennant Lake, where a raised boardwalk lets you walk directly over the wetlands.

 


 

  • Distance: A complete loop of the grounds, the river trail, and the Tennant Lake boardwalk totals roughly 4 to 5 miles of easy, flat terrain.



     

Whether you’re a birdwatcher looking for migratory waterfowl, a history buff admiring Swedish architecture, or just someone who wants to see the Nooksack River flow by with Mt. Baker as a backdrop, Hovander is the spot. It’s a peaceful reminder of the agricultural roots that built Whatcom County.




 



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