Larrabee State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Larrabee State Park
Shore Pines (pinus contorta) and Douglas-Firs (pseudotsuga menzinii) on the coast.
Larrabee State Park Location in Washington (state)
Location	Whatcom, Washington, United States
Area	2,748 acres (11.12 km2)
Elevation	1,083 ft (330 m)
Established	1915
Named for	C.X. Larrabee
Operator	Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Website	Larrabee State Park

Larrabee State Park is a fantastic outdoor area. It is located on Samish Bay in Washington. You can find it on the western side of Chuckanut Mountain. The park is about 6 miles south of Bellingham. It was the very first state park in Washington. It officially opened way back in 1915.

The park covers about 2,748 acres. It is a great place for fishing, boating, and camping. It also has many mountain trails. These trails are perfect for hiking and biking. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages the park.

History of Larrabee State Park

How the Park Began

In 1913, Ernest Lister, who was the governor of Washington, had an idea. He wanted to create a park along Chuckanut Drive. He shared this idea with Charles Larrabee. Charles was a businessman from Bellingham.

Charles Larrabee owned land along the waterfront. He agreed to give this land for the new park. Sadly, he passed away in 1914. But his wife, Frances, made sure his promise was kept.

Becoming Washington's First State Park

The governor officially accepted the park on October 23, 1915. A month later, on November 22, 1915, the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners also accepted it. This made it the first state park in Washington.

At first, the park was called Chuckanut State Park. But in 1923, its name was changed. It was renamed Larrabee State Park. This was to honor Charles Larrabee and his family.

Growing and Improving the Park

When it first opened, Larrabee State Park was mainly used for picnics. People also visited to get to the beach. In the early 1930s, the park was not very popular. This was partly due to the Great Depression. This was a time when many people had little money.

Things started to get better in 1935. A new manager, Dave Johnson, took charge. He worked hard to improve the park. He encouraged local groups, schools, and businesses to help. They all worked together to make the park better.

In 1936, the Works Progress Administration helped a lot. This was a government program that created jobs. They gave $30,000 to the park. This money helped add new things. These included playground equipment, a water system, and kitchen shelters.

More Land and Visitors

The Larrabee family continued to support the park. In 1937, they donated another 1,500 acres of land. Other landowners nearby also gave land. More improvements were made over time.

The park kept attracting more and more visitors. By 1965, about a quarter-million people visited the park each year. It became a very popular place for everyone to enjoy.

Activities and Fun at the Park

Exploring the Outdoors

Larrabee State Park offers many fun things to do. You can take a short walk down to a pebble beach. From there, you get amazing views of Samish Bay. You can also see the beautiful San Juan Islands.

For longer adventures, there are many trails. The park has 13 miles of biking trails. There are also 15 miles of hiking trails. Some trails even lead 1,940 feet up Chuckanut Mountain.

Water and Beach Activities

There are lots of water activities too. You can enjoy picnicking by the water. Boating is a popular choice. Saltwater fishing is also available. Many people enjoy sailboarding. You can also go beachcombing along 8,100 feet of saltwater shoreline.

The park has two mountain lakes. These are Fragrance Lake and Lost Lake. Hikers can enjoy freshwater fishing in these lakes.

Camping and Other Amenities

Larrabee State Park also has camping sites. You can stay overnight and enjoy nature. There is an amphitheater for events. The park also has large fields. These are great for playing games or relaxing.

Images for kids

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  Pair of teenagers examine a tidepool at Larrabee State Park, 1973

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  Fragrance Lake on Chuckanut Mountain