Set on the seaward side of Chuckanut Mountain near Bellingham, Larrabee State Park is known for its postcard views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. It is also Washington's first state park.
This unique camping park on famed Chuckanut Drive offers boating, paddling, fishing, shellfish harvesting, diving, teeming tide pools and perfect spots for quiet contemplation, child play or a romantic date.
Though the shore is the main draw at Larrabee, freshwater Fragrance and Lost lakes provide excellent trout fishing. Hiking and mountain bike trails wind through a forest of Douglas-fir and salal.
Train-spotting is also part of the Larrabee experience. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Amtrak run trains up to 16 times a day (including at night) on the Burlington Northern track by the beach. This can be a noisy proposition for light sleepers but great fun for train buffs and kids.
Park visitors often enjoy the full 21-mile meander along Chuckanut Drive and discover the charm and flavor of northwest Washington on a side trip to Bellingham, with its variety of attractions and amenities.
PARK FEATURES
Larrabee is a 2,748-acre camping park that has 8,100 feet of saltwater shoreline on Samish Bay.
ADA AMENITIES/FACILITIES
Campground
Restroom
Hiking trail
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
Two picnic shelters are reservable by visiting online or calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. One shelter has a sink, each has electrical outlets, barbecue grill, and eight covered picnic tables. The shelters accommodate 50 to 100 people. In addition to the picnic shelters, the park provides 45 unsheltered picnic tables available first come, first served. There is also an amphitheater available and although it is first-come first-served, park staff ask that you contact them for any planned use.
ACTIVITIES
TRAILS
1.5 miles of biking-only trails
2.7 miles miles of hiking-only trails
13.8 miles of multi-use trails (biking/hiking/horse)
18 miles of total combined trails
WATER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Boating
Clamming
Crabbing
Diving
Fishing (freshwater/saltwater)
Watercraft launch
OTHER ACTIVITIES & FEATURES
Amphitheater
Beach exploration
Bird watching
Fire circle
Metal detecting
Mountain biking
Sailboarding
Wildlife viewing
BOATING FEATURES
Located in Whatcom County on Puget Sound, Larrabee offers a boat launch available at high-tide, but may be inaccessible to launching and retrieving watercraft at low-tide cycles.
CAMPSITE INFORMATION
The park has 51 standard tent sites, 26 utility sites, eight primitive sites, one dump station, and six showers (four ADA). Six showers are open May 1 - Oct. 1 and four showers are open Oct. 1 - May 1. Utility spaces have sewer, power, and water. Maximum site length is 60-feet (limited availability). A working train track runs through the park and west of the campground. Campers are advised to check in at the registration booth upon arrival.
