Larrabee State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Boulevard Park Whatcom Falls Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Larrabee State Park, located in Washington state, offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery.
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Summary
The park sits on over 2,700 acres and boasts a long stretch of saltwater beach along the Chuckanut Bay.
There are many reasons to visit Larrabee State Park, including hiking, fishing, beachcombing, and camping. The park has over eight miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult, that wind through the forest and offer stunning views of the bay. The beach is a popular spot for fishing, with salmon, rockfish, and lingcod being commonly caught. Visitors can also explore tide pools, search for clams, or simply relax on the sand.
One of the park's main points of interest is the historic Fragrance Lake, which was a popular destination in the early 1900s. Today, visitors can hike the Fragrance Lake Trail to the lake, which is surrounded by forest and offers beautiful views. Another popular area is Clayton Beach, which is a secluded cove that is accessible via a short hike.
Interesting facts about Larrabee State Park include that it was the first state park in Washington, established in 1915. The park is named after Charles Larrabee, a wealthy lumberman who donated the land to the state. The park also has a unique geological formation called the Chuckanut Sandstone, which is over 40 million years old and can be seen in the park's cliffs and beach.
The best time of year to visit Larrabee State Park is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and offers opportunities for winter camping and snowshoeing. Visitors should be aware that the park can get crowded during peak season and may require advanced reservations for camping.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Larrabee State Park
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Northwest Trail site
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