Anacortes: Nature, Trails, and City History

Anacortes offers a variety of experiences, including the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL), the Tommy Thompson Trail along the coast, the Heart Lake Trail, Washington Park, the Anacortes Museum in the historic Carnegie Library building, and the seasonal Farmers Market. When planning your stay, you can consider nature, specific routes, history, and a visit to the market as different interests.

Forests and Trails in Anacortes

The Anacortes Community Forest Lands cover more than 2,950 acres within the city of Anacortes. Forests, wetlands, lakes, and meadows form a mosaic there, along with more than 50 miles of multi-use trails. The acreage and trail mileage describe two aspects of this natural area: the area itself and its trail network. This distinguishes the ACFL from a single loop with a specified length.

The Tommy Thompson Trail offers a specific point of comparison: the relatively flat loop is 6.6 miles long, runs along the coast, and offers views of the Cascades. On the Heart Lake Trail, the route passes through cedar and hemlock forests. Heart Lake also offers opportunities for fishing and kayaking. These natural attractions each have a different focus: a coastal route, forest scenery, and activities on the lake.

Washington Park and Boat Launch

Washington Park covers 220 acres and sits on a peninsula at the western end of Fidalgo Island. A scenic, 2.2-mile paved loop road passes through wooded hills and meadows and offers views of the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Mountains. The 220 acres refer to the park’s area, while the 2.2 miles refer to the length of the loop road—different measures to help you plan your stay.

Washington Park also maintains a boat launch for recreational boaters. If you plan to use it, check the operating details before your trip.

Market and City History

The Anacortes Farmers Market takes place weekly from May through October 2026; an additional market is scheduled for the Saturday after Thanksgiving in November. Local products include fresh farmstead cheese, handmade bread, and gourmet nuts. If the market and its offerings are important to your plans, check the date and current vendors before your visit.

The Anacortes Museum is housed in the historic Carnegie Library building. The building opened in 1910 and was one of more than 2,500 libraries worldwide funded by Andrew Carnegie. The museum’s location is thus connected to the history of the building and its funding. Causland Memorial Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These two sites offer different points of interest for those curious about the city’s history: the Carnegie Library building and the park’s historic designation.

Discover more destinations: Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, Burlington, Bow, La Conner.

For the regional travel overview: Skagit County.