Destination: It’s hard to beat Bellingham for recreation, fantastic food and drink
BELLINGHAM – For a quick regional trip, this cheerful college town in Northwest Washington is about as good as it gets.
Bellingham feels like a mini-Portland, with fantastic shopping and dining everywhere.
You'll find trendy restaurants downtown and in the Fairhaven district, and if you love beer, you've come to the right place. The city is awash in breweries and taprooms on its famed Tap Trail.
If you can score a spot, Larrabee State Park is an awesome place for RVers. It's just five miles south of Fairhaven and has exceptional camping, along with 8,100 feet of shoreline along Chuckanut Bay, providing access to kayaking and hiking.
In the coastal Chuckanut Mountains, you'll find many more hiking opportunities. Fragrance Lake is a quick hike to a viewpoint and mountain lake; Oyster Dome to the south offers exceptional views of the San Juan Islands.
You'll find more hiking off of Mount Baker Highway, and lots of road cycling opportunities in Whatcom County and the city. The campus of Western Washington University is beautiful and worth a long stroll.
Other landing spots for RVers: Birch Bay State Park near Blaine and Silver Lake County Park near Maple Valley off the Mount Baker Highway. You'll also find a few commercial parks, including Bellingham RV Park; Nor'West RV Park and Cedars RV Park in Ferndale; and Hidden Village RV Park and KOA in Lynden.
If all else fails, try boondocking at Walmart or Bellis-Fair Mall.
