Larrabee: Overview
Park overview:
Larrabee State Park is a 2,683-acre camping park with 8,100 feet of saltwater shoreline on Samish Bay near Bellingham in northwest Washington. The park features two freshwater lakes, coves and tidelands. Sunsets are gorgeous. A variety of non-motorized, multiple-use trails wind through the park.Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
The water to the campground is shut off in winter.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Current alerts:
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
The park has 51 standard tent sites, 26 utility sites, eight primitive sites, one dump station and eight showers (four ADA). Six showers are open May 1 to Oct. 1 and four showers are open Oct. 1 to May 1. Utility spaces have sewer, power and water. Maximum site length is 60 feet (may have 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. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Group Accommodations:
A group camp with tent camping for a maximum of 40 people is reservable by visiting online or calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.. There is a small picnic shelter with picnic tables and a fire ring. Parking is limited. No RVs permitted.2013 camping fees:
Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Brooks Memorial, Columbia Hills, Conconully, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.
Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites
Maximum eight people per campsite.
Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.
Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.
More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Park Features
The area is known for Chuckanut sandstone. The park has tide pools to explore on Chuckanut Bay and Samish Bay. Two freshwater lakes add beauty to the forested terrain.
History
In October 1915, the Larrabee family donated 20 acres of land to the state to be made into a park. Officially named in honor of Charles Xavier Larrabee in 1923, the area became Washington's first state park.Interpretive opportunities
Surfriders play host to interpretive programs from June to Sept. The programs will vary and are posted at the welcome center.Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
| • Camping | • Auto repair • Airport • Boat rental • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • Wood |
Firewood is offered seasonally. Nearest services are six miles north in Bellingham.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 15 mi. Hiking Trails • 13 mi. Bike Trails | • Fishing (freshwater) • Boating (saltwater) • 1 boat ramp (saltwater) • Diving • Fishing (saltwater) • Clamming • Crabbing | • 1 Amphitheater • Beach Exploration • Bird Watching • 1 Fire Circle • Interpretive Activities • Mountain Biking • Sailboarding • Wildlife Viewing |
Visitors may enjoy fishing on Fragrance Lake and Lost Lake on Chuckanut Mountain, accessible by hiking trails. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website. The old roadbed of the Mount Vernon-to-Bellingham Interurban Railway runs parallel to Hwy. 11, north through the park and on to Bellingham. | ||
Events
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
| Events | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Dec. 31 8 a.m. |
Last Chance Run: Join the Skagit Runners in an end of year run through Larrabee State Park. Register for the half and full marathon beginning at Fairhaven Park Pavilion and continuing along the Interurban trail in the mountains around Larrabee State Park. The race concludes at the Clayton Beach parking area within Larrabee State Park. Registration and fee required for participation. Those who finish the race will receive a Last Chance coin. Long-sleeved t-shirts are available for purchase at the event. Runners are suggested to take along water bottles and snacks. For more information, course details and to register, visit www.skagitrunners.org. |
Larrabee (360) 676-2093 |
Boating Features
On high-tide boat launch is available but may be inaccessible to launching and retrieving watercraft at low-tide cycles.A daily watercraft launching permit and trailer dumping permit for $10 is available at the park.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Picnic and 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.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Bobcats • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Foxes • Otters • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels • Weasels | • Chukars • Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Grouse • Gulls • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Pheasants • Quail • Woodpeckers | • Clams • Crabs • Octopuses • Sea Birds • Sea Cucumbers • Shellfish • Shrimp • Starfish • Whales • Bass • Perch • Salmon • Steelhead • Trout • Walleye |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| The park is primarily forested with coniferous trees and dense woodland vegetation. It has marshlands, wetlands, streams, lakes and Chuckanut Mountain. The area is known for chuckanut sandstone. | • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Yew • Alder • Apple • Ash • Birch • Cherry • Maple • Daisy • Rhododendron • Berries • Eel Grass • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Seaweed • Thistle |
