Larrabee State Park

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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.

Automated pay station: This park is equipped with an automated pay station for visitors to purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass.

Please note: Access to Clayton Beach via private property owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe is prohibited because of inadequate sight lines for pedestrians to see on-coming trains when crossing the rails to access the beach area.

Shellfish harvesting is closed until further notice.

  1. Activities
  2. Boating
  3. Camping
  4. History
  5. Maps

ada amenities/facilities

  • Campground
  • Hiking trail
  • Restroom
  • Showers

Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities. 

Please note: There is no ADA beach access within Larrabee State Park.

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

Concessions

  • Intrinsic Flow - If mountain biking is your thing, let the guides at Intrinsic Flow take you on an exhilarating ride at Larrabee State Park! They offer lessons, skills clinics, guided rides, and shuttle service to the top of Double Black Diamond and Double Down trails.  Clinics and shuttle service are offered March through October. For more information visit them online or on Instagram.

Additional information

  • 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 and Wildlife.
  • The old roadbed of the Mount Vernon-to-Bellingham Interurban Railway runs parallel to SR 11, north through the park and on to Bellingham.
  • Printable park brochure (PDF).