Larrabee State Park: Washington’s First State Park with Postcard Views of Samish Bay

Larrabee State Park holds the distinction of being Washington’s first state park, established in 1915 with postcard views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands from its dramatic setting on the seaward side of Chuckanut Mountain near Bellingham. This historic 2,748-acre camping park features 8,100 feet of saltwater shoreline along Samish Bay, combining coastal recreation with mountain trails that showcase rare sandstone cliff formations and offer access to two pristine freshwater lakes known for excellent bass and trout fishing.

Larrabee State Park Fast Facts

Park Overview

Larrabee State Park occupies a spectacular coastal setting where Chuckanut Mountain meets Samish Bay, creating the dramatic landscape that inspired Governor Ernest Lister and businessman Charles Larrabee to establish Washington’s first state park. The park preserves the vision of Frances Larrabee, who completed her late husband’s commitment to donate the initial 20 acres in 1915, with the family later contributing an additional 1,500 acres in 1937. Named for Charles Xavier Larrabee in 1923, this historic park showcases the diverse Pacific Northwest landscape from saltwater shores to mountain peaks reaching 1,940 feet up Chuckanut Mountain.

The park’s unique geography provides visitors with rare geological features including sandstone cliff formations and tide pools teeming with marine life, accessible via the newly opened Clayton Beach Trail with its fenced pedestrian bridge safely crossing active railroad tracks. With over 110 years of history, Larrabee State Park combines coastal recreation with mountain wilderness, offering everything from shellfish harvesting and boating to challenging mountain biking trails through Douglas-fir and salal-covered terrain. The park sits along the famous Chuckanut Drive scenic byway where the Cascade Mountains meet the sea, providing stunning vistas of the San Juan Islands.

Activities & Recreation

Larrabee State Park is one of 24 Washington State Parks with geocaches hidden within its boundaries, adding a treasure-hunt element to your historic coastal mountain adventure.

Special Trail Highlights

The Clayton Beach Trail, opened in 2023, provides a safe 1-mile route to spectacular sandstone formations and tide pools that extend one mile at low tide. The trail features a fenced pedestrian bridge over the active railroad tracks, addressing decades of safety concerns. The historic Interurban Trail follows the old Mount Vernon-Bellingham railway route, offering a glimpse into the region’s transportation history.

Facilities & Amenities

Larrabee State Park provides comprehensive facilities including two reservable picnic shelters (S1 accommodating 100 people and S2 accommodating 50 people), each equipped with sinks, electrical outlets, and barbecue grills. The park features 45 unsheltered picnic tables available first-come, first-served, plus an amphitheater designed by architect Earl E. MacCannell in 1944 as part of the park’s Works Progress Administration improvements.

Additional amenities include modern restrooms with flush toilets, 6-8 showers (4 ADA accessible, open year-round), playgrounds, and a trailer dump station. The park offers ADA accessible facilities including 2 ADA campsites (sites 50 and T14) and accessible restroom and shower facilities, though no ADA beach access is available.

The boat launch area requires tide awareness as Wildcat Cove becomes shallow at low tide, potentially making launch and retrieval difficult. A $7 daily watercraft launching fee applies, with annual permits available. The park is located along the scenic Chuckanut Drive where active Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Amtrak trains pass through (up to 16 trains daily), plus Highway 11 runs along the east side. Light sleepers may want to bring earplugs, particularly if camping in sites 42-49, group camp G1, or walk-in sites W1-W8.

Camping & Accommodations

The park offers 86 total campsites including 51 standard tent sites, 26 utility sites with full hookups (water, electric, and sewer), 8 primitive walk-in sites (W1-W8), and 1 group camp (G1) accommodating up to 40 people. Two ADA-accessible campsites (sites 50 and T14) provide barrier-free camping options with accessible restroom and shower facilities in the main campground.

RV campers should note that the park can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet (limited availability), though large RVs are not recommended on Chuckanut Drive miles 9-14 due to narrow, winding roads. The park advises that no vehicles over 18,000 lbs should use Chuckanut Drive miles 9-14, and large RVs should use I-5 Exit 250 for easiest access.

Camping reservations are available up to nine months in advance through washington.goingtocamp.com or by calling (888) 226-7688 for the peak season from May 15 through September 15, with first-come, first-served camping available September 16 through May 14. Check-in time is 2:30 PM and check-out is 1:00 PM.

Water service may be shut off during winter months for winterization, typically from late November through late March, though winter water supply remains available at the main campground restroom.

2025 Camping Fees (Effective May 15, 2025)

Additional Fees:

• Day-Use Fee: $10 (Discover Pass)
• Reservation Fee: $8 online, $10 by phone
• Watercraft Launch: $7/day (annual permits available)

Planning Your Visit

Larrabee State Park operates daily year-round with seasonal hours: 6:30 AM to dusk in summer and 8:00 AM to dusk in winter. The park requires a Discover Pass for day-use access ($10 for a day pass or $45 for an annual pass). Reservations are required May 15 through September 15, with a booking window of 9 months in advance.

Clayton Beach access via the new 1-mile official trail opened in 2023, featuring a safe pedestrian bridge over railroad tracks and leading to spectacular sandstone formations and tide pools extending one mile at low tide. The park’s location along famous Chuckanut Drive provides scenic access as part of the 21-mile State Route 11 scenic byway where the Cascades meet the sea.

Visitors should check tide charts before launching watercraft due to shallow conditions in Wildcat Cove at low tide. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting, available through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Firewood is available seasonally at the park, and the nearest full services (groceries, gas, supplies) are 6 miles north in Bellingham.

Best Time to Visit

The peak season runs May through September, offering the warmest weather and full park services. The park remains open year-round for those seeking quieter off-season camping, though water service may be limited during winter winterization (late November through late March).

What to Bring & Know

• Light sleepers should bring earplugs as active Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Amtrak trains pass through the park day and night (up to 16 trains daily), and Highway 11 runs along the east side
• Tide charts should be consulted before boating as the launch becomes unusable at low tide in shallow Wildcat Cove
• Clayton Beach offers the park’s most spectacular geological features with rare sandstone formations accessible via the new safe trail and bridge opened in 2023
• Winter camping requires preparation for potential water service shutoffs (late November through late March), though basic water remains available at the main restroom
• The Rock Trail provides challenging hiking with 1,200 feet elevation gain and unique geological formations including caves and massive boulders
• Large RVs should use I-5 Exit 250 for easiest access rather than navigating narrow Chuckanut Drive miles 9-14
• Metal detecting enthusiasts must register with Washington State Parks to use the sanctioned metal detecting area
• The park has no partial hookup sites – only standard (no hookups) or full hookup (water, electric, sewer) options

Frequently Asked Questions About Larrabee State Park

Does Larrabee State Park require reservations?
Yes, camping reservations are required from May 15 through September 15. During the off-season (September 16 through May 14), Larrabee State Park operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can you swim at Larrabee State Park?
Yes, Larrabee State Park has 8,100 feet of saltwater shoreline on Samish Bay perfect for swimming. The beach offers excellent access for swimming, though the water is typical Pacific Northwest temperature.

How many campsites does Larrabee State Park have?
Larrabee State Park has 86 total campsites including 51 standard sites, 26 full hookup sites, 8 primitive walk-in sites, and 1 group camp that accommodates up to 40 people.

Are dogs allowed at Larrabee State Park?
Yes, dogs are allowed at Larrabee State Park but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pet-friendly camping and trail access make it a great destination for visitors with dogs.

What is the best time to visit Larrabee State Park?
The best time to visit Larrabee State Park is May through September when the weather is warmest and all facilities are fully operational. The park remains open year-round for those seeking quieter off-season experiences.

Does Larrabee State Park have showers?
Yes, Larrabee State Park has 6-8 showers with 4 ADA accessible showers that are open year-round. Modern restroom facilities with flush toilets are also available throughout the park.

What trails are at Larrabee State Park?
Larrabee State Park features 18 miles of trails total, including 1.5 miles of bike-only trails, 2.7 miles of hiking-only trails, and 13.8 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The Clayton Beach Trail is a popular 1-mile route to sandstone formations and tide pools.

Is there RV camping at Larrabee State Park?
Yes, Larrabee State Park camping includes 26 full hookup sites (water, electric, sewer) suitable for RVs up to 60 feet, though large RVs should use I-5 Exit 250 for easiest access due to narrow roads on Chuckanut Drive.

Final Word

Larrabee State Park delivers a historic Pacific Northwest experience combining dramatic coastal scenery with mountain wilderness, preserving over a century of Washington state park heritage in one of the region’s most spectacular settings. As Washington’s first state park, established in 1915, Larrabee offers visitors a unique blend of family legacy, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation that showcases the best of the Cascade-to-coast landscape.