Discovery pass needed. Easy trek down to the beach. There's public restroom and water available near the beach entrance. We tried crabbing here twice. Definitely bring a spare lure; our first attempt, we had to cut the line as it got snagged on some rocks. Saw a lot of people on the beach, enjoying a picnic or even kayaking out to crab boxes in the evening. Beautiful park overall. Make sure you're sure-footed if you're going to climb the rocks. read more

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The beach park section of Larrabee park is gorgeous. There's ample parking, then a decent that's about a 45 second walk to a grassy lawn and a beautiful stage built in the early 1900s. There were people performing music on the stage and park goers enjoying on the grass. Just to the left of the stage there's a path to the beach. Another 2-3 minute descent brings you to a trail going left and right. The path to the left is a short trail to a rock you can sit on and climb down to get to the water. Further that way there's another beach. The path to the right leads to a nice beach with a great view and a shade tree. There were some bugs in the washed up kelp, but nothing too bothersome imho. We had a stand up paddleboard so we used the path on the right after the stage area. I would recommend anyone bringing gear down (scuba, kayaks, paddleboards) to use this beach. Larger crafts can use the boat ramp just north of this beach, and you can drive right up to that ramp (north of the stage and parking area). It was a beautiful park and a great place to picnic, enjoy the water, and view the sunset! read more

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First Washington State Park! 1918! It has held up well through the decades. Boat ramp is tricky to find but is a good place to hang and launch watercraft of all Sorts. Camping is okay. read more

Larrabee State Park - Boat ramp on right - Parks Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

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This was our first visit to Larrabee State Park, and recommend it. What's to like? *proximity to Bellingham, but be careful on windy Chuckanut Drive! *A variety of hiking trails rated as easy to difficult. These include beach trails as well as trails to take you to a viewpoints or a small lake (Fragrance Lake). *Unpaved gravel roads (Cleator Road) to viewpoints and trailheads. *a family-friendly campground with hook-ups and warm showers. (Our neighbors actually set up a screen for the kids to watch a movie in the back of their RV). Quiet time at 10 pm was observed, even on a weekend night in a full campground. *a boat launch onto Samish Bay. *picnic areas with picnic tables and bunnies! *rangers who get the job done. The only downside is that the park is bisected by a railroad, with frequent trains rolling through at all hours. We only heard one blowing its whistles, but the sound of the train itself was noticeable read more

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One of our better more relaxing and interesting parks to visit. On my top parks list for sure.

Love this park! Last time, we went to the saltwater area and admired the beautiful beach rocks, this time we hiked to fragrance lake. 2 miles of easy hike towards the lake, wide and clean trail, just a bit of an incline going up to the lake but it wasn't that bad. Good cardio:) definitely check it out if you're in the area. read more

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Where the sea meets the mountains. This is a glorious place. I am so thankful I got the opportunity to explore here on my trip to Washington. I highly recommend! read more

Larrabee State Park - The entrance to this beautiful place. - Parks Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

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Train nearby at all hours of the night. Next to a busy road. Dirty bathrooms and showers if they work at all.

This park is about 15 minutes outside the Bellingham city center. When we went it was free entry and free parking. Not sure if that is always the case but it was a nice surprise. There are tables and grills if you want to do grilling outside. There are also pavilions to reserve/rent for large groups. Visitors were mainly families with kids, but there were a few single and groups of adults as well. The scenery is gorgeous, with several trails that run along the bay. The views are breathtaking. The beach is ok but not that big. We spent several hours hiking, hanging out at the beach, and just enjoying nature. The reason for 4 stars is this: we were in the middle of absolutely stunning beauty. Then, we hear a loud noise. It's getting closer and closer, louder and louder. Is it an earthquake? Is it a tsunami? Did the Russians launch a nuclear attack? No, it was a freight train, running right through the park and the forest. It was long train and shattered the peace. In principle, I am opposed to trains running through state parks and forests, so I lowered my evaluation to 4 stars. read more

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I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Larrabee state park Camping Ground. It was relaxing and our particular camp spot was perfect for us. read more

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Great park: Considering we trek with 3 young kids (between 4-10yo). 1. Small/medium playground available 2. Trails trail trails- with option of easy ones. *Viewpoint Trail is easy with 280 views at various outlets. * going to the beach is a short 10 min trek. If you go left of the "Closed for shell fishing" sign there is a pepple rock beach with various rocks and drift wood seating. If you go right it takes to viewpoint trail. 3. Small Amphitheater with lawn space and picnic tables 4. Lots of covered picnic tables 5. Bathroom availability read more

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Great find along the scenic Chuckanut Drive. This is the first state park in Washington State, established in 1915. You will need to pay a day use fee of $10, or buy the Discovery Pass for $30, which is good for one year. We opted for the latter. There's a playground and restrooms available right off the parking lot. There are fun trails to walk along the beach, large rocks overlooking the bay and beach, and nature trails full of mossy trees. A really beautiful place! read more

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We came up from the south to Larrabee State Park. It was a beautiful and scenic drive! We stopped at the first major parking lot as you are in the park and got out went on a trail towards the west. We crossed some railroad tracks and went down some pretty steep parts of the trail before reaching the beach. The beach view I have to say was wonderful and we stayed here a little while taking pictures before heading back. Take your time with those steep parts of the trail especially if you don't have a lot of hiking experience and you should be just fine. There is another major parking lot to the north of the park with more trails I'm sure but I don't know the steepness to them. From the south parking lot you can go on another trail to the east that goes to a lake. Again, don't know the difficulty level with that trail but I imagine it's nothing too terribly intense. Definitely a beautiful park and worth more exploration. I'll try out the trails by the north parking lot next time. read more

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When we were driving back south from Bellingham, we decided to take the scenic Chuckanut Drive. As you're driving along the road, you will eventually come across Larrabee State Park. I would recommend stopping here if you have time. You will need a Discovery Pass to park here or you can buy a day parking at the entrance into the state park. Upon arrival, there were plenty of parking spaces. We did not look up any trails and just decided to take a route that seemed to lead us towards the water. The route did not take very long and was not much of a hike. Most people would be able to walk the trail with regular tennis shoes. When we got to the water, it was beautiful and there was a lot of space to hang out without being too close to people. We were able to bring our dog with us and there were some other dogs near the water too. Overall, I'm glad we stopped here and would recommend check out Larrabee State Park. read more

Larrabee State Park - Dog-friendly - Parks Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

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I was very excited to visit the first state park in WA. Especially since this park is right on the waterfront of the Samish Bay. Off scenic route 11, aka Chuckanut Dr., and absolutely beautiful. The part of the park I entered was the main entrance and I followed the signs that directed me to the beach. A large grass area next to a small park for kids. A few picnic tables and what looked like a stage. The trail was easy to see and went under a tunnel before leading down to the beach area. That is why I was there, to put my feet in the water. I didn't do too much exploring on this visit. Just enough to know I love this park! I am not a camper but if you are this park has camping spots. Walk in spots and hook up sites. The opposite side of the highway offers a trail to Lost Lake, which I did not go to. Next time for sure. Larrabee became a state park in 1915 in honor of Charles Xaver Larrabee. Yes, I got that information off the brochure as I explore new places I love doing my research. Bring a picnic and enjoy this park which is located on the beautiful scenic drive highway 11. A discovery pass is required. Happy adventuring and Yelping. read more

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Ohhhhh, if only we had more time to explore it more!!! Just loved the massiveness of the trees and peaceful quiet. Kinda scary if you're not with others but every now n then ppl would pass by so it was safe. It was like out of a Jurassic movie forest. Wish tho that there were better signs to lead. read more

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We were on the Chuckanut Drive and stopped in the park to see the beach. The ranger was very friendly and gave us great directions to Beach. We were there on a week day and had no trouble finding parking. There are also picnic areas, camp sites, and a cool amphitheater. The water was a bit chilly for august but better than the Atlantic would be so hey! Nice stop on a nice day! read more

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Very beautiful state park. Viewpoint Trail is a short walk to the coast where you'll see several boulders near the shore. Breathtaking view. read more

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A very nicely maintained Park and Campground. Beautiful views, awesome trees, beach area is unique with many land and tree features! It surprised us. Dogs are allowed on leash and with poopy bags Hiking to Fragrance Lake is right across the road! The campsites are very nice and allow privacy if wanted. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. read more

Really great park. I have done Fragrance Lake, Oysterdome, Lost Lake, and Double Black Diamond trails. I do wish there were more wayfinding signs as it is easy to get turned around. I ended up adding an extra hour to my hike trying to get back to the Cyrus Gates, but at least it was good exercise! read more

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Today was my first time visiting both larabee park and hiking Fragrance Lake Trail. We hiked the trail with not too much struggle but enjoyed the secluded and peaceful journey to the lake. There was a beautiful viewing spot that was stunning. Once we reached the lake we took our time walking around the entire lake stopping once in a while to enjoy the view and relax. After the hike we were on our way back to the car when we decided to check out the beach. Woah! It was large, open and beautiful. There were big rocks along the shore and a more open part of the beach with sands. Today's weather was especially pleasant and made both treks even more memorable. Had a super wonderful time:) read more

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Quite a nice little place. The access to the beach and the vista points along the cliffs overlooking the Puget Sound is attractive. Lovely area to watch a sunset. The murals in tunnel beneath the railroad are beautiful. If you are lucky, you will spot sea-lions or seals from the vista points. read more

Larrabee State Park - Parks Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

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We're aiming the Clayton Beach this time. There are so many beautiful stones along the shore for climbing and searching for the sea lives in the low tide. And the best thing is not so many people during the pandemic. read more

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A beautiful place to visit and walk around. Very scenic and peaceful. There are plenty of areas to rest and very clean restrooms.

I haven't camped at Larrabee, all trips have been day trips and every time I come, it's... wonderful *props up face on elbows* You'll need a park pass to park in the lot but if you don't have a Discover pass, it's okay 'cause you can purchase a day pass during their gate business hours. (I would check the park's site to verify their open times.) Larrabee State Park has a beach side with hikes AND mountain hiking side so you can enjoy the best of both worlds here! The main park entrance has a restroom so you can take care of your business ;) Driving on Chuckanut is really relaxing. Some folks get nervous around the sharp corners next to the cliffs and rock faces but not me, man. Just watch for pedestrians/bikers/other cars as you wind your way to the park's entrance. Stop at Taylor Shellfish Farm (the original!), antique shops, and just enjoy the beautiful views along the way. This weekend, I spent one day at the beach (Oyster Dome hike) and one day on the mountain (Fragrance Lake.) There's a few hikes ranging from less than half a mile up to 10 miles (Lost Lake.) Since I had my older dog with me, Fragrance Lake, categorized as moderate at 5 miles roundtrip, was a perfect option. PLUS you end up at a mountain lake! The trails are all well-marked and they're well-loved--the park takes great care of the trails. There are SO MANY dogs on the mountain trails! When we reached the lake, my dog was wagging her tail so hard it made her whole body vibrate leading up to her jump into the lake. I sat for a while--watching her and the morning sun that glinted like glass shards on the water. Every now and then, a fish would jump up out of the water leaving soft ripples in their wake. Moments like these make you feel grateful for what you have. I almost did a second loop of the lake (about .75 miles) and was only called away by my need to get back on the road. This is a good place to make memories. read more

If you're looking for a quite, peaceful getaway in the woods this is NOT it. Based on a glowing review I read in Sunset magazine I was eager to come here. However, I found it tranquilly nestled between Chuckanut Drive and the train line, so traffic and the train blasting it's horn is heard most of the night. When the campground is full, it seems to attract families who want to stay up all night hooting and hollering well past 10 p.m. The beach is beautiful and it's a close drive to Bellingham and Watcom Falls which is about it's only plus. read more

Larrabee State Park - My dog saying "let's go home". - Parks Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

Beautiful park to hike or just spend some quite time. When I visit my daughter we love to come and walk around.

Visited larrabee with my mom during the week. Some of the rocks along the beach are slippery to walk on but there is tons of beach area to explore, benches, grills, and a little auditorium. I also took a trip up to WTAs Rock trail. The drive up was slightly nerve wrecking (I'm from florida) and had several potholes the my car had trouble getting through. After about 3 miles driving up the hill, we made it to the trailhead. There is a beautiful overlook of the sound and then several trail points. The rock trail has tons of steps on it and is a moderate hike, but worth it! Trail is carved into the rocks and there are lots of great turns and twists. Great for the enthusiast hiker! read more

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Such a great park! I've been here a number of times since moving from the Midwest and have yet to be disappointed. Clayton Beach is very cool. On my first visit, I saw crabs, sand dollars, and a sea cucumber! Amazing. It's very peaceful even when there are other people around. It's easy to find a secluded spot to relax. This is my "go to" for getting away without going too far. If you're crossing the railroad tracks, be alert and listen for trains. Fragrance Lake is definitely a challenging hike. I wouldn't recommend to the people that aren't used to elevation hiking. I'm in fair shape physically. I took nearly 45 minutes with a few short rest breaks to reach the top. Pack water, pace yourself, and take rest breaks. Lost Lake is a pretty far and challenging hike. With occasional rest breaks and photo stops, it took me about 2 hrs up. Apparently I took the long route, almost 9 miles round trip. There are several locations to start from. The hike was worth the beauty and peace of the lake. read more

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This review is as much for Chuckanut Drive (one of the most beautiful drives in Washington) as it is for Larabee State Park itself. Chuckanut Drive is the scenic route that follows the water from I5 to Bellingham, by route of historical Fairhaven. The park is beautiful, offers a couple short trails and several diverse areas of beach (including a boulder field and tide pools). A short drive further is Fairhaven, which is a really cute historical town with a lot of interesting shops and good restaraunts. This is an excellent day trip from Seattle. read more

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Went camping here for the weekend as we were looking for a place not far from Seattle. The tent sites weird shaped and very small, we were right on top of the next site. The campground overall was very well maintained and the Rangers that work there where nice as well. Beautiful views of the Sound especially at sunset. The main downside to camping in this location is a proximity to the trains and the road. Getting a good night's sleep is quite the challenge. Trains seem to come by every couple hours blowing their horns no matter what time of the day or night. The road noise was almost just as annoying with motorcycles blasting their radios or they're loud exhaust roaring by. The cars were almost as annoying as well. Overall, I do not think we will be coming back. read more

I wish I could write two reviews. It's fantastic for exploring the beach, or day-hikes. Horrible for camping. Every camp-site is less than 150 yards from a pair of very busy railroad tracks. A nearby crossing ensures trains sound their horns as they approach. You will enjoy waking up to the sound of a freight-train blowing it's horn 100 yards from your head 4 to 6 times each night of your stay. read more

Very nice state park on scenic Chuckanut Drive. There is a day use fee of $10 but we bought the Discovery Pass for $30 (which is good for a year). It was November so we didn't camp over, just a day trip. They had a really cool amphitheater with seating that not only showed the stage but the water as well. Very beautiful view. They had covered picnic tables, clean bathrooms and short trail that led to the beach. A very pleasant stop on the gorgeous Chuckanut Drive. We might come back and camp over next time. read more

We recently went camping at Larrabee State Park for a little family camping. This is a pretty nice state park and a well-maintained campground. The sites are a little close to each other, but they have the typical amenities you need when tent camping; a table, flat spot for a tent, and fire ring. The bathrooms were nice and clean (including showers; if that is your thing. It's not mine, while camping!) and the camp hosts were friendly and helpful. They sell wood for $6 a bundle and have a wagon for transporting the wood to your site. The park itself has some nice hiking trails, an outdoor auditorium, bathrooms, playground, and quick access to the beach. It's very clean and well staffed. The bad thing about camping at Larrabee is that several times a night, trains (yes, plural) roll by the campsites and blow their horns and that could make you pee yourself. It's definitely "refreshing" the first time, and painful the rest of the time. Overall, I would recommend this park; look at the map when you make your reservation and avoid the side with the train tracks. read more

This park is a perfect stop along the Chuckanuts and is actually the very first park in Washington. It lies next to the ocean and at the foot of the Chuckanut mountains. The trails leading you into the mountains take you up to Fragrance Lake and Lost Lake as well as connect to the Interurban Trail. There is a dedicated camping area with dozens of spots, a boat launch, and a parking area for visitors to walk down to the beach. You will need a park pass to park there, but if you do not have one, you can purchase one at the entrance during business hours. The beach access is wonderful all year and the rocky cliffs have a great view of the ocean and nearby beaches. This is another great area to hang a hammock during the summer months. The one downside is that the train goes right through the park. read more

I have been camping here twice now. It's not the best campground I have been to, even here in the PNW, but it really is quite beautiful, and very convenient to the Seattle area. A short 2 hour trek up just south of Bellingham, along Chuckanut Dr(do it at Sunset, you won't regret it). There are probably about 100 sites, as usual they are pretty close together, but with lots of beautiful trees surrounding you, you *hopefully* don't notice all the people around here. When it comes to camping in the Seattle area, you basically have to plan about 5 years in advance. Since I only moved up here 4 years ago, and just planned this trip a month ago, Larabee was the only place within 3 hours that had open spaces(same thing happened last year). A few problems to note: -Trains go through here, a lot, and are quite loud. If you are a light sleeper, or a grumpy person in general, I would avoid it. -The "beach" is pretty sad, it's a nice trek over there from the campgrounds, but no swimming, or wading, and it kinda smells. -The camp sites really are close together though. We had to deal with lots of noise with the Canadian Shanty Town that was set up near us(like 5 sites taken up by a big group of Canadians, it was pretty weird). - There are a few hiking options across the street, I did them last year and they are alright, lots of hills though, and I am a lazy mofo. Overall though, it really is an ok spot for a quick weekend get a way. The camp hosts are really nice and helpful. Cleanish bathrooms, and overall a beautiful campground. It's not the best, but it is close by, and for $22 a night, it's worth it. PLUS, it's only about 15 minutes away from Chuckanut Brewery, so I got lots of yummy beer. read more

This is one of my favorite state parks in WA. Visiting this park reminds me that our local, regional and federal governments protect some land not because a lot of people will go there...they protect it just because it is beautiful. This is one of those places. Were it not a state park, this land would be full of super-expensive houses with exclusive views and waterfront access. Luckily the landowners gave it to the state in 1915, establishing it as the first state park in Washington, and the state has maintained and preserved it ever since. Here is why I like it so much: *Views and sounds of the pacific coast and San Juan Islands *A charming wooden amphitheater. *A big grass lawn and playground in front of the amphitheater. *(One time, a dixieland band was playing a free concert at the amphitheater.) *Tidal pools *A few natural beaches for the kids to play at. *Rocky shoreline with forested cliffs...a beautiful natural treasure. *The only way to get to it is via Chuckanut Drive which is a classic scenic roadway. *Trails up to fantastic vistas of the bay and San Juans. *Wind and water currents conducive to kite surfing. *It never seems overwhelmed with people. read more

$32 for a small campsite close to other sites, near a road, and 18 trains go through at night? What's up with the Washington State? Never coming back here again. read more

Beautiful park with much for kids to explore: poor poor camping experience. Let's get the bad out first: The fire pit for site T19 was 6 feet from the road, on the down hill side, without any hedges or bushes for privacy. Dust and debris from the road would settled on our campfire and table after any vehicle passed by, which made cooking impossible. Now the good and great: the beach is okay, if you don't mind the seaweed. It is not that big. But at low tide, there are lots for kids to explore and play around the rocks. There are many trails to explore. And a large field to play frisbee or badminton. So 5 stars for the park, 1 star for the camping experience, so 3 stars average. Will definitely return again for a day visit. Will probably camp again, but will avoid site T19. read more

Really great place with a lot of spots to explore. We took our kayaks to the launch and kayaked to Clayton beach which had sand dollars, jellyfish, shells, otters, crabs and much more! You can also find some more private spots along the way. Park is $10/day Boat launch is $5 extra. read more