Complete information for Larrabee

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.

Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks

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.

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 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, 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.

To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.

Driving Directions

Located six miles south of Bellingham, Wash., on the state's northwestern side in Whatcom County.


Park address:
245 Chuckanut Drive
Bellingham, WA 98229

From I-5 soutbound:
Take exit #250, and turn right onto Fairhaven Pkwy. Go to second stoplight. Turn left on SR 11/Chuckanut Dr. Stay left at next stoplight, and drive six miles to park entrance.

From I-5 northbound:
Take exit #231. Turn right onto SR 11/Chuckanut Dr., and drive north 14 miles to park entrance.

NOTE: Chuckanut Dr. (SR 11) is a narrow, winding road. Large RVs should go to I-5, exit #250 for easiest access to the park.

Alternate route for large RVs or vehicles towing trailers:
Stay on northbound I-5 to Bellingham, then take exit #250 and turn left onto Fairhaven Pkwy. Go to second stoplight and turn left onto SR 11/Chuckanut Dr. Stay left at next stoplight and go six miles to park entrance.

Park Maps

To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.

Larrabee downloadable pdf map #1


Larrabee downloadable pdf map #2


List of all downloadable Washington State Park maps.

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

Events
Date/time	Event description	State Park
May 11 8 a.m.	Lost Lake 50K: The fifth annual Lost Lake 50K returns to Larrabee State Park. With a 8,200-foot elevation gain, the challenging and scenic course takes runners past Fragrance and Lost lakes to views of the San Juan Islands, Skagit Valley farmlands, Bellingham, the Canadian mountains, Mount Baker and the North Cascades. There is a 10-hour time limit for race completion. Registration and fee required for participation. Presented by the Skagit Runners. For more information or to register, visit www.skagitrunners.org.	Larrabee (360) 676-2093
June 9 1 p.m.	100 Geocaches in 100 Parks to Celebrate 100 Years!: To celebrate the 100th year of Washington State Parks, 100 geocaches will be available in state parks across Washington. This geotour kickoff event begins in the south kitchen shelter of Larrabee State Park. Participants are invited to partake in celebratory snacks, followed by a fun-filled geocache treasure hunt. Discover Pass not required for vehicle access to this event. To find geocaches in Washington state parks, visit www.geocaching.com (free registration required for participation). Please note: June 9 is a State Parks free day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to Washington state parks on free days.	Larrabee, kitchen shelter (360) 676-2093
July 12 and 13 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Painting in the Parks – Larrabee: Celebrate the centennial of Washington State Parks by painting in the parks. Take a journey through a state park and find artistic inspiration. Then spend the day creating a work in Washington’s great outdoors. On July 12 and 13, participants are welcome to paint at Larrabee and Birch Bay state parks. A full schedule of Painting in the Parks days is available at www.pleinairwashington.com. Presented by the Plein Air Washington Artists.	Larrabee (360) 676-2093
July 28	Chuckanut Mountain 12K & 30K: The final race in the Bellingham Trail Running Series, racers will transverse the trails of Larrabee State Park. The course takes runners around Fragrance Lake and up Chuckanut Mountain to Cyrus Overlook. A special challenge is offered to those in the 30K race: Complete the course in less than 2 hours and 15 minutes to win a prize of $150. Day of race registration is available. Registration and fee required for participation. Participants are suggested to carpool as parking is limited. Presented by the Bellingham Trail Running Club. For more information or to register, visit www.bellinghamtrail.com.	Larrabee, south day-use area (360) 676-2093
Aug. 4	Mountains to Sea at Larrabee: For a second year in a row, discover the rich natural resources and recreational opportunities at Larrabee State Park. More information will be available closer to the event. The Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to this event. Please note: Aug. 4 is a State Parks free day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to Washington state parks on free days.	Larrabee (360) 676-2093

Full list of events at Washington State Parks

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 $5 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

Park photo gallery