Larrabee State Park | |
Washington State Park | |
The park's rocky saltwater coastline
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Name origin: Named for C.X. Larrabee | |
Country | United States |
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State | Washington |
County | Whatcom |
Elevation | 1,083 ft (330 m) |
Coordinates | 48°39′30″N 122°28′36″W / 48.65833°N 122.47667°WCoordinates: 48°39′30″N 122°28′36″W / 48.65833°N 122.47667°W |
Area | 2,683 acres (1,086 ha) |
Established | 1915 |
Management | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
Website: Larrabee State Park | |
Larrabee State Park is a publicly owned recreation area located on Samish Bay, six miles (10 km) south of the city of Bellingham, Washington. The 2,683-acre (1,086 ha) state park offers fishing, boating, and camping as well as mountain trails for hiking and biking. It is managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
The park became Washington's first state park after Bellingham businessman Charles Larrabee donated 20 acres of land to the state in 1914. Following Larrabee's death later that year, his widow saw the transfer through to completion and the park was formalized in 1915. Initially called Chuckanut State Park, the park's name was changed to Larrabee in 1923. The Larrabee family donated another 1500 acres in 1937, with neighboring landowners making additional contributions.
The park features a short walk down to a pebble beach with views onto Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. For longer excursions, there are 13 miles of biking trails and 15 miles of hiking trails. Picnicking, boating, saltwater fishing, sailboarding, and beachcombing are among the other recreational options. Two mountain lakes, Fragrance Lake and Lost Lake, offer freshwater fishing for hikers.