Deming

Deming is an old community on the Nooksack River that was platted before the turn of the century. The Mount Baker Highway (Route 542) runs through town. From Deming, the route first heads north to Kendall and then continues east. If you’re looking for a hotel in Deming, the river, forest, and early local history offer three different starting points for planning your stay.

River Access and Old-Growth Forest

Deming Homestead Eagle Park provides access to the North Fork Nooksack River; another access point to the North Fork is just east of Welcome Bridge on Mosquito Lake Road. At Welcome Bridge River Access, the parking lot is closed because of severe erosion along the riverbank. If you’re planning to use this access point, check the latest parking information before you go.

Canyon Lake Community Forest has trees up to 1,000 years old in an old-growth forest. Reaching the forest requires a 5.7-mile hike or bike ride to the trailhead; there is no public parking or vehicle access there. The journey to the trailhead is therefore part of planning your visit, and you should check the latest access information before setting out.

Waterfall and Trails

Racehorse Falls is a scenic waterfall hike in Deming. In the foothills of Mount Baker, the water cascades over a series of rock ledges. The waterfall is near popular Racehorse Creek, which lies in a steep ravine. The waterfall and rock formations take center stage here, while Canyon Lake Community Forest offers a different natural setting, with trees up to 1,000 years old. Access details for Racehorse Falls may change; check conditions before your visit.

At South Fork Park, a short forest trail leads to a working agricultural field with panoramic views of the South Fork Valley. The Galbraith Farm Trail starts at the South Fork Park parking lot. Along this unpaved trail, the ruins of Galbraith Barn are about a mile from the trailhead.

Deming’s Early History and Culture

In 1886, Father J. B. Boulet founded a Roman Catholic mission in Deming. Three years later, in 1889, settlers founded a school; it was housed in a converted chicken coop for four years. This sequence offers two distinct glimpses into the area’s early history: the founding of a mission and the story of the school.

A two-part mural featuring The Salmon Woman and a Spindle Whorl was painted for the Deming Library. The motifs are associated with Coast Salish and Nooksack traditions. The artwork adds a cultural perspective to the area’s history. If you’d like to see it in person, check in advance whether the interior is accessible and the mural can be viewed. The Friends of the Deming Library also host an ongoing Foothills Arts and Crafts Exhibit; whether it can be viewed may depend on space availability.

Discover more destinations: Blaine, Glacier, Maple Falls, Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden

Back to the main travel overview: Whatcom.