Larrabee State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located on the seaward side of Chuckanut Mountain in the state of Washington sits Larrabee State Park, which boasts 2,748 acres, picturesque views, and a campground. From here, you can view and visit Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. The land occupied by Larrabee State Park was donated by Frances P. Larrabee, whose husband, Charles X. Larrabee, was a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist. Larrabee State Park was the first state park in Washington, and it was first established in November 1915. Throughout the area, in addition to stunning views and scenic landscapes, you'll find wildlife, trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, picnic areas, and a working rail system. With a little bit of something for everyone, it's no wonder Larrabee State Park is one of the most popular destinations for nature lovers in the state of Washington.
Nearby Cities:
Bellingham, WA
Chuckanut, WA
Samish, WA
Belfast, WA
Spring 53-65 F
Summer 69-74 F
Fall 51-69 F
Winter 44-49 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Larrabee State Park
Campground Accommodations
Larrabee State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 35 feet
Other amenities: Drinking water, showers, restrooms, trash and recycling service, fire pits, picnic tables, firewood sales, dump station, playground
Friday Creek Campground
Friday Creek Campground is a small, quiet campground located just a little over 30 minutes from Larrabee State Park. All sites are wooded, offering privacy and beautiful, natural surroundings. The campground is open from May through October each year.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: clubhouse, general store, basketball court, trails, horseshoes, restroom and shower facilities, picnic and BBQ area
Burlington/Anacortes KOA
Just about a half-hour from the state park, Burlington/Anacortes KOA is located nearby many local activities sites, and is a family-friendly campground. There is so much to do right onsite at the campground, you may not want to leave!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: pool, mini golf, dog park, hot tub/sauna, firewood, propane, bike rentals, recreation hall, planned activities, security gated property
What to Do at
Larrabee State Park
In order to take in all that Larrabee State Park has to offer, you may need to stay a few days. Set out on an adventure along the shore, collecting shells, fishing, canoeing, or watching the birds and taking photos. Stay at the campground with full hookups and enjoy the programming at the amphitheater, interpretive activities, picnic areas, and playgrounds.
Catch some crabs, find a hidden treasure with a metal detector, or strap on some fins and go scuba diving. Explore the beaches, forests, and fields, stopping to appreciate the picturesque mountain views along the way. Keep a lookout for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Amtrak trains running up to 16 times every day, perfect for entertaining children and train lovers.
Inside Larrabee State Park
With all the beauty the Pacific Northwest has to offer, the sights alone will keep you busy within Larrabee State Park! But if that’s not enough, you can take to the lake for crabbing or boating, enjoy wildlife viewing or stunning views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands, take a hike or bike ride and much more. Here are some of the most popular things to do inside the park:
Trails – There are 18 miles of combined trails within Larrabee State Park, 13.8 miles of which are multi-use for hiking, bike riding and horseback riding, 1.5 miles are for biking only and 2.7 are for hiking only. Along the trails, there are plenty of beautiful natural sites to take in, along with wildlife viewing and birdwatching! The park and some trails also offer postcard-worthy views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands.
Water Activities – With saltwater shoreline, two freshwater lakes (Fragrance and Lost Lakes), coves and tide pools on Chuckanut and Samish Bays, there is no shortage of water fun inside the state park. Visitors can enjoy trout fishing on the lakes, exploring the beach on the shoreline, boating, crabbing, clamming, diving and more.
Train-Spotting –. One of the most unique activities within the state park is train-spotting. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and Amtrak run trains on the Burlington Northern track by the beach – up to 16 times a day, even at night! Train buffs and children alike will love catching a train driving by while enjoying the park.
Fishing
The 8,100 feet of saltwater shoreline are perfect for fishing, shellfish harvesting, and crabbing. A recreational license is required for these activities.
Geocaching
Download the official Geocache mobile app and swing by the park office for a map of the park. Put on your hiking shoes and set out to find hidden treasure using the clues from Geocache. Hunting for the prize is a great time to stop and appreciate the beauty of the area, explore less common areas of the park, and just have some fun, whether alone or with a group.
Nature Watching
With forests, shorelines, wetlands, and prairies, wildlife and birds are abundant at Larrabee State Park. Grab a seat on a park bench or venture down the trails, bringing along your binoculars and camera for great views of the living creatures.
Flora and Fauna
Douglas fir and numerous ferns cover the area in the park. More than 300 bird species have been tracked at Larrabee State Park. These include ducks, gulls, loons, bald eagles, and owls, along with many songbirds. You can spot deer, coyotes, squirrels, and lizards in the area.
Hiking
The park has 2.7 miles of hiking-only trails and 13.8 miles of multi-use trails that are used for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. These trails take you all over the park's land, with views of the shore and bays, mountains, and meadows.
Boating
There is a boat launch available for guests to get their watercraft out on the bay. A self-register pay station is located nearby, where you can pay the $5 daily fee. Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular activities at the park.
Swimming
Clayton Beach is designated for swimming. The beach is accessible via a hiking trail and features rare sandstone cliff formations and tide pools, adding to the majestic ambiance of Larrabee State Park.
Biking
In addition to the 13.8 miles of multi-use trails, there are 1.5 miles of bike-only trails for riders to explore.
How to Get to
Larrabee State Park
Larrabee State Park sits south of Bellingham, Washington, along the coast. From Bellingham, take Highway 11 south until you find the entrance to the park, following the signage along the way.
Entering Larrabee State Park
Parking is available near the picnic field, boat launch, and Elephant Loop day-use area.
A Discover Pass is required for visitors to Larrabee State Park. You may buy your pass online, over the phone, or in person. The cost is $30 for an annual pass or $10 for daily use. The Discover Pass can be used at all state parks in Washington. Registered campers are not required to have a Discover Pass for their visit.
We can’t wait to hear all about your adventures at Larrabee State Park – whether you’ll be boating on the lake, exploring the tide pools, wildlife viewing or enjoying a long hike with scenic views. When you post your fun vacation photos on social media, don’t forget to tag us, or shoot us a photo and some details at [email protected]. We may just feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Larrabee State Park
Larrabee State Park is picturesque and stunning all year long. In the summer, temperatures are warm enough for comfortable water activity. Hiking the trails and nature watching is great throughout every season.
Over 300 bird species are known to inhabit Larrabee State Park. These include songbirds, owls, bald eagles, and loons. Deer, coyotes, and squirrels also inhabit the park.
There are 26 full hookup RV camping spots in Larrabee State Park. There are also 51 tent sites and eight primitive sites in the campground.
Reservations are strongly encouraged to ensure you have a place to unpack when you arrive for your visit. You can make reservations up to nine months in advance. From September 16 to May 14, the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The nightly fee for RV sites is $35 to $45.
You are welcome to bring your furry family members along on your visit to Larrabee State Park. Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than eight feet in length and are not allowed on the designated swimming beaches.