This Pristine Island Is A Secret Pacific Northwest Mountain Paradise Without Crowds

Nothing is worse than heading to the beach or mountains to get away from it all, only to discover that you are surrounded by crowds of other tourists trying to do the same. If you're looking for a place to unwind with quiet beaches and mountains, a cute Saturday farmer's market, and a thriving arts community, look no further than Lummi Island, a peaceful hidden gem in the San Juan Islands chain in Washington state. These islands are home to the best whale-watching in the U.S. and make for a great family trip. Lummi Island, the best-kept secret of them all, has plenty of natural and scenic beauty in an uncrowded environment. If you're bringing your kids, keep in mind that there are no traditional kid-focused entertainment options. Instead, relaxation and fun come from detaching from the daily grind and spending time together in nature.

Lying just off the coast of Bellingham, Washington, at 9 square miles, cozy Lummi Island is big on peace and tranquility. The easygoing island is home to less than 1,000 permanent residents year-round, though many Americans and Canadians do have summer homes here. Lummi Island lies in the Olympic Rain Shadow (an area that gets less rain and more sun than the neighboring region of Seattle), making the weather sunnier overall and better for outdoor activities, especially in the summer and winter.

This region of the Pacific Northwest is the traditional homeland of the Lummi Nation. The Lummi Nation (Lahq'temish, meaning "People of the Sea"), hunted and gathered in this region for centuries and today maintains a strong connection with the land and water surrounding Bellingham Bay.

If unwinding and getting away means moving closer to your natural environment, the summer months are a perfect time to hike or sea kayak around Lummi Island. Moondance Sea Kayak Adventures offers one-day and multi-day kayaking trips to and around Lummi Island for paddlers of all abilities. The operator also offers educational kayaking trips where you can learn to forage and try real "sea food!"

The breathtaking scenery of Lummi Island is accessible to all. Even though much of the island is privately owned, Lummi Island Heritage Trust owns and manages over 762 acres of land, providing travel resources, as well as ecological and historical information to visitors across four preserves on the island: Otto, Curry, Aiston, and Baker. Each preserve is located on a different part of the island and has a unique environment. For those who are up for a challenge, climbing the well-groomed, 1.64-mile-long Baker Preserve Trail along the western side of Lummi Mountain requires signing in before climbing, and sadly, dogs are not allowed. Two preserves, Otto and Curry, have an all-terrain wheelchair available to borrow for those with limited mobility, ensuring the breathtaking scenery of Lummi Island is accessible to all. If you still have the energy to explore more, there are 18 miles of scenic roads for bikes and pedestrians. And when you are ready to relax, there are a couple of public beaches to watch the sunset or finish that book you've been putting off.

The community's thriving arts scene features local artists specializing in pottery, painting, quilts, metalworking, stained glass, and sculpture who have their own studios, where they conduct tours or private showings by appointment. And, if you've come for true peace and tranquility, local licensed spas offer various types of massages, ranging from Swedish to lomi lomi.

Lummi Island is farther off the beaten tourist path, but that makes it the perfect escape from the crowds. If you are low on fuel, be sure to gas up as there are no gas stations. Car ferries run multiple times every hour during the week and hourly on weekends from Gooseberry Point, just outside of Bellingham. Gooseberry Point is an easy 25-minute drive from downtown Bellingham. A round-trip ferry ticket for pedestrians is $8, whereas a car fare is $15 round trip. 

Tourists should be aware that being uncrowded means fewer tourist amenities. A formerly popular restaurant and tourist draw, the Willows Inn, has closed down. Currently, there are limited options for food and dining. There is one main store (with basic foodstuffs, beer, and sundries), a small winery, a local café, and a convenient food truck. These establishments are not open all day, so it would be a good idea to bring food or snacks on your trip. Don't worry though, your phone will still work, and the island has stronger Wi-Fi signals than some of the other San Juan Islands.

No streetlights make the island a great place for stargazing at night, but the island has only one campsite on the southern coast for sea kayakers, and hiking in is not allowed. However, per a quick search on Airbnb, the island does have an assortment of stylish and simple properties and rooms available for short-term rent, some of which are along the beach. It's recommended to book early if you plan to spend the night during the summer.

Once you're ready to come back to civilization, head north to Vancouver for more breathtaking orcas, or south for incredible cruise adventures in Seattle. Or, if you still need more peace and quiet, these other crowd-free destinations are calling your name.