Larrabee State Park — Attraction in Bellingham

Have tried to visit this park for many years. Fortunately, we were finally able to do so. This park is located along Chuckanut Drive, in Coastal Washington, between Fairhaven and Edison or The larger township of Burlington.

The drive has been a favourite of mine and many others because of its picturesque landscape, replete with high-above the ware coastal vistas and drive-through grove.

Larrabee, as a park is quite large and we only visited the west-side (west of the drive), which has campgrounds and picnics areas, as well as a couple of beaches, accessible by foot, via trail or rounding of the point during low tide. We have not explored the east side of the park which has many hiking trails that can take you to cedar Lake and Pine lake to the South East, Old Salish Road to the East and connect to other trails that can take you as far as South Bellingham. I hear those trails are fantastic, which, in a way, is evidenced by the number of hikers that brave parking along the narrow Chuckanut drive road throughout the week.

For me, the part I did visit was beautiful and I would like to return to camp at some point. The park has everything from walk-in and drive-in, single un serviced tenting, to family tenting, to group tenting campsites to van and full hookups and dumpsite for RVs. They have flushing toilets and showers, a boat launch and separate picnic areas with day-use shelters for those cold, windy or rainy days.

Pets are allowed, as long as they remain on leash.

We stopped at the day/picnic area and decided to head down to the beach. Along the way, we took a short switchback trail that took us to the south day-use shelter and found there to be an open-air theatre (Band Shell) close to the (Henry Mural) tunnel which takes you under the train tracks to get to the beach trails.

The tunnel, know as the Henry Mural tunnel is colourfully painted but unlit. The trail to the beach is relatively easy but inaccessible to those on a wheelchair or difficult for some using a walker or cane. After the tunnel, there are two beach trails, we took the north trail which is a bit shorter. There are some steep steps to get to the beach.

The beach itself is made up of small pebbles and wind-worn sandstone at the point. The beach was clean but busy.

When the tide is low, one can walk from the beach to the boat launch beach. This beach is mostly composed of large boulders and small open sandy spots. There is a lot of seaweed in this location.

The boat ramp is a bit steep but useable. We saw at least two boats floated and picked up while we were there and there was no drama. There were also many kayakers and paddle boarders putting there. The walk to the beach takes 5 minutes. Around the point to the boat-launch, anywhere between 15-30 minutes, depending on your agility.

The park seemed very clean everywhere we walked. We drove around the tenting sites and the RV’ing sites and they all seemed clean. Although during the day, the sites seemed quiet and everyone respectful. At the time, there was a fire ban, meaning that no open flames are allowed - pretty standard now, during hot summer days in many Canadian and Washington parks. We did use the picnic area restrooms and they too were clean.

I do recommend anyone wanting to camp there, to take a drive or walk around the site. It is a place I would have taken my kids when they were younger.

All park visitors require a Discover Pass to picnic or camp.

Someday, I will return and explore the trails with my wife and pup. Just have to plan, and get there early as we are slow hikers who get...

Larrabee State Park, located just south of Bellingham, WA, offers stunning coastal views, lush forests, and 18 miles of trails to explore.

Here are five of the park’s top hiking trails:

Fragrance Lake Trail Mileage: 5.5 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate Description: This popular trail takes you through dense forest to a tranquil lake. It includes some elevation gain (around 1,000 feet), but the serene views of the lake and optional side trip to Fragrance Lake Overlook make it worth the effort.

Chuckanut Ridge Trail Mileage: 6 miles round trip Difficulty: Strenuous Description: This challenging trail offers stunning views of the San Juan Islands, Bellingham Bay, and surrounding mountains. With steep climbs and rocky terrain, it’s recommended for more experienced hikers.

Oyster Dome Trail Mileage: 5 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Description: One of the most iconic hikes in the area, this trail leads to a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. The trail includes a steep climb with approximately 2,000 feet of elevation gain, but the views are spectacular.

Huckleberry Point Trail Mileage: 2 miles round trip Difficulty: Easy Description: A shorter, easier hike that leads to scenic viewpoints of Samish Bay. It’s a great option for families or those looking for a less strenuous hike with rewarding views.

Lost Lake Trail Mileage: 8 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate Description: This trail takes you deep into the Chuckanut Mountains, through old-growth forests, and alongside a peaceful lake. With moderate elevation gain, it offers a less crowded alternative to the more popular trails. Larabee’s park amenities include:

• Camping: Over 80 standard campsites, 8 utility sites, and 26 primitive campsites. The campground is near the beach and offers picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms with showers.

• Picnic Areas: Several picnic tables and shelters are available throughout the park, offering scenic views of the bay.

• Beach Access: The park provides access to a rocky beach on Samish Bay, perfect for exploring tide pools, kayaking, or just relaxing by the water.

• Boating: There’s a boat launch available, and visitors can enjoy paddling or boating in the surrounding waters.

• Restrooms and Showers: Restrooms and showers are available in the camping and...

Do not drive an RV to this park north from Burlington on Hwy 11. About half way to the park this is a small sign that the highway is closed to vehicles over a certain GVW, but there is no turnout or information on the fact this road is not suitable for RV’s. Since there was no way to turn around we continued and had a scary drive to the park. The road is VERY narrow, twisty, and has rocky cliffs encroaching on the roadway. Drive from Bellingham south on Hwy 11 instead. The park is right on Hwy 11 and is easy to find. There are lots of hiking trails in this park. The campground is shaded by large trees. Some RV sites are parking lot style with no privacy but are pull thru for easy parking. The pads are fairly level. Other sites offer more privacy. The sites are not well numbered so be careful that you park in the correct site. Ours was occupied by someone else who made this mistake when we arrived. The playground is a long walk from the campground and the beach is a very, long walk. There is no RV access to the beach but there is lots of vehicle parking at the playground and amphitheater. Modern playground. The boat launch is older and has some parking for...