Clayton Beach - Bellingham, Washington - A Pristine Beach with Breathtaking Views

Clayton Beach located in the town of Bellingham Washington is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. Clayton Beach is part of the larger Larrabee State Park. Larrabee State Park is located right outside of Bellingham and is part of Chuckanut Drive, which is known for being one of the most scenic drives in the country.

Clayton Beach is known for being a great place to explore and study tide pools. Its rocky surroundings make it a great place to rock climb. During high tide a lot of the beach are disappears but there is plenty of space to relax during low tide.

To get to the trail visitors must cross the busy street so it is important for parents with children to proceed with caution. Even the trek down to the beach is beautiful. Visitors walk through the cool green forest while the trees provide a canopy as a shield to the sun. The trail gives the visitor a feel of being far away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Bellingham. The trail is nothing more than a dirt trail and can become somewhat slippery during and right after a good Bellingham rain. The trail to the beach is almost 3/4 of a mile and is steep in places so proceeding with caution is important. Clayton Beach does not have picnic tables, restrooms or trash receptacles so people visiting want to make sure to be prepared with the necessary supplies.

Once at the beach people can either relax on the sand or climb up the rocks and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Sound, Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands. Clayton Beach is the perfect spot to get away and enjoy the outdoors in a more private atmosphere. Many locals and visitors have found excitement rock climbing while others enjoy the peace and quiet and take the time to reflect on life while taking in the surrounding views. Walking trails and swimming are favorite activities of visitors. Due to the more primitive setting, 3/4 mile hike to get to the beach and lack of facilities it provides guests with a much more secluded and private experience.

After visiting Clayton Beach many people enjoy exploring the rest of Larrabee State Park and also driving the historic and scenic Chuckanut Drive. Larrabee State Park is almost 2,700 acres of pristine forest. It has several camping spots and facilities. There are several hundred species of wildlife to be seen and great hiking and biking trails abound. Chuckanut Drive connects Bellingham and the Skagit Valley and provides a slower paced scenic drive as opposed to the hustle and bustle of Interstate 5.

Getting to Clayton Beach is easy. Follow Chuckanut Drive from Fairhaven heading south. The parking lot for Clayton Beach is a short distance past the main entrance of Larrabee State Park. There are no fees required to enjoy Clayton Beach. The park is open seven days a week from 6 am until dusk.