CLAYTON BAY BEACH, WASHINGTON

Clayton Bay Beach is located in Larrabee State Park a few miles south of Bellingham, WA. There are three beaches in the area. Clayton Bay Beach, on the northern area of the cove is traditionally CO, but caution is advised. There is over night camping (clothed) at the nearby Larrabee State Park main campground to the north of the beaches.

DIRECTIONS: Go north on I-5 from Seattle and take exit 250, Old Sammish Parkway for about a mile west to route 11, Chuckanut Drive. Continue south past Fairhaven park and go on for another 5 miles or so. You will see a widened parking area on the right. The access road leads about a quarter mile to the railroad tracks and the beach.

SITE REVIEWS:

Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997
From: "Jeffrey Smith" (jebba@cascadesinc.com)

Hello,

My name is Jeffrey Smith. Recently I connected to your site and found some comments about Clayton Beach in Whatcom County. One or two of the entries contained directions to Dogfish Beach near Clayton. I am making a request that those comments be removed; here is why.

I did manage to find Dogfish with the directions given. The people I met were wonderful. They were rather disappointed that I found the beach with directions from the internet. The beach is very small. The atmosphere is very refreshing from the other non-legal nude beaches in the area because it is not well known. The handful of people that frequent Dogfish have spent a lot of time landscaping the surroundings. They fear that if the rangers get news of Dogfish, it will no longer be. Another concern, is the fact that Am-Trak passenger trains have full view of beach goers. They always take precautions to cover up when they hear the train. More people at this small beach may ruin a nude beach that has been kept a community beach for many years.

Thank you for time. As I am new to Dogfish, I'm writing this request as a favor to some very nice people that I have just recently met.

Jeff

Date: Mon, 16 Jun 97
From: "Jeffrey Smith" (jebba@cascadesinc.com)

I would like to add a few comments about Clayton Beach on your site.

My wife Karin and I went to Clayton Beach on Friday June 13. Our day at the beach was perfect. We found an area quite secluded that was mostly sand and backed by a sandstone cliff. My daughter and son played for hours without a care in the world.

Although we heard about rangers giving tickets for being nude before, we decided to take our chances anyway.

We think the best area is between the main Clayton Beach area (South) and Larrabe Park (North). After crossing the new metal bridge, just a short distance from the stairs leading from the road - go about 50 paces and follow a trail to the right. This trail is mostly well traveled, but you can't get lost if you follow the creek to your right. The trail ends where the creek meets the railroad tracks. Any of the beach to the South of this is safe from campers from Larrabe and the main beach at Clayton. I suggest not taking your chances during the weekend.

Date: Mon, 10 Mar 1997
From: Steve Litch [litch@gte.net]

Carl, a couple of corrections to info I gave you on Dogfish Point. Should have been 2nd to the last rest stop on Chuckanut instead of last. Also, on re-thinking distance on railroad track (give me a break it's been almost 7 months) it is closer to 1/2 mile to beach than the 1/4 mile, but no hills!!

Thanks, Steve

Date: Sat, 08 Mar 1997
From: Steve Litch [litch@gte.net]

--No longer clothing optional as of 1993. Patrolled by park rangers who will fine you. Happened to a friend of mine. Suggest Dogfish Point approx 1 mile south of Larrabee. Hard to get to and isolated. It is located just below last rest stop on Chuckanut Drive. Access also from next view stop over oyster beds. Windsurfers use this parking area also. Go down hill and (beware) walk north on railroad tracks @ 1/4mile. Nice beach on north side especially when tide is in. Hopefully someone else has told you about Dogfish., if not check it out!! Talk at you later, steve

Review written by: Mark Turner (10/23/95)

Subject: Clayton Beach

I live in Whatcom Co. and have never heard of Clayton Beach being CO. In the last year or so the state built a new parking lot for Clayton Beach across the road from the trailhead down to the water. The whole Larrabee SP coastline is quite popular with people, so I'd be hesitant to go nude on any of its shores.

Its a shame we lost Teddy Bear Cove to nude bathing after the county bought it a couple of years ago.

The info in this page assumes that Lee Baxandall's recent 1995 World Guide is correct in claiming this site as CO. However, the personal site report from Mark Turner indicates otherwise. Shed your clothes with caution!

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