Locust Beach
A secluded Bellingham beach revealing vast sand flats at low tide, perfect for exploration, sandcastles, and stunning sunsets.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, best sand for castles
Locust Beach
Best Time
Fewer crowds, best sand for castles
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A secluded Bellingham beach revealing vast sand flats at low tide, perfect for exploration, sandcastles, and stunning sunsets.
"Truly a magical place, never seen anything like it."
Check Tide Charts First! :chart_with_upwards_trend:
Low tide is key for the best experience. High tide can make the beach inaccessible.
Wear Sturdy Shoes :athletic_shoe:
Steep stairs and potentially muddy areas require good footwear.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Expansive Low Tide Flats
The main beach area
Miles of sand revealed at low tide, perfect for long walks, sandcastles, and unique mountain views.
Stunning Sunset Views
Along the shoreline
Witness breathtaking sunsets over the water, painting the sky with vibrant colors.
Kite Surfing Spectacle
The water at Locust Beach
On windy days, watch skilled kite surfers dance across the waves.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything: Embrace the Low Tide
Trail & Access: Be Prepared to Walk
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Check Tide Charts First! :chart_with_upwards_trend:
Low tide is key for the best experience. High tide can make the beach inaccessible.
Wear Sturdy Shoes :athletic_shoe:
Steep stairs and potentially muddy areas require good footwear.
Pack Out What You Pack In :recycle:
Leave no trace. Respect the natural beauty and pack out all trash.
Bring Your Dog (on leash!) :dog:
A great spot for dogs to play, but remember to clean up after them. +1
Tips
from all over the internet
Check Tide Charts First! :chart_with_upwards_trend:
Low tide is key for the best experience. High tide can make the beach inaccessible.
Wear Sturdy Shoes :athletic_shoe:
Steep stairs and potentially muddy areas require good footwear.
Pack Out What You Pack In :recycle:
Leave no trace. Respect the natural beauty and pack out all trash.
Bring Your Dog (on leash!) :dog:
A great spot for dogs to play, but remember to clean up after them. +1
Sandcastle Central :construction_site:
The sand here is perfect for building, thanks to its unique clay/fine sand mix.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Locust Beach is a highly-rated, secluded gem known for its stunning low-tide expanses and beautiful sunset views. Visitors praise its unique geography and the opportunity for long walks and sandcastle building. However, the access trail with steep stairs can be challenging for some, and the lack of facilities like restrooms is a consideration.
"My reviews are as a photographer and videographer: Parking is before the beach trail, find it on the maps. Trail to the beach is 10 mins walk through dense forest and a very tiny railway track bridge, will see private property as well. SIGNS of “no fire at the beach”, but it’s quite opposite lol, people fire up here and even trash it.
Although it’s a very good spot to chill. Checkout “SAHIBCAPTURES” on instagram and tiktok for calming nature content."
Bishwajeet Singh
"Such an amazing secluded water experience. We go out nearly every low tide during the summer heat. There’s a gravel parking lot at the top of the street. Once parked, the trailhead is down the street on the right just under the bridge. There’s rarely more that 5 people down there with us. Our 2 year old son and dog love the open space and to splash around. There is one set of steep stairs on the walk down and the yard or 2 of mud just beyond the rocks is quite messy. But beyond that, you’ll find sand and nearly solid ground. On the really low tide days, you can walk for nearly a mile out and get an amazing and unique view of the mountains and Bellingham. On days that have wind over 5-7mph, you’ll get a close up view of kite surfers. It’s truly a magical experience."
Kayla Kinley
"Of all the beautiful places to explore around Bellingham and in Whatcom County, this is my favorite. It’s an underrated area because people expect it to be muddy like most other Sand flats, or they visit at a high tide and don’t get to see the beach at its maximum. Truly a magical place, never seen anything like it. (Craft Island in Skagit is the only comparison I know of). Seattle and Vancouver haven’t had anything like this for more than 100 years.
The longest beach walk around, the flat nearly most of the Northwest of Bellingham Bay. When you get to the beach off the trail, always go toward the Nooksack, the further you walk to more beautiful it gets. Along the shoreline there are some cool treasures to be found.
Please respect this place and leave it as you found it. There aren’t many places like this left in the world. It takes a very specific kind of geography to have something like this, and we are lucky. My understanding of why it’s not muddy when most WA estuaries are, is that the Nooksack has a steep, fast, and relatively short path to the ocean, so it carries larger grains of sediment, and the riverbed of the Nooksack has a lot of Clay in it.
One more thing, I have never encountered better sand for sandcastles. The clay/fine sand mixture is perfect."
Jake Logan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Locust Beach is accessed via a trailhead off Locust Street. There's a gravel parking lot at the top of the street. The trail involves a 10-minute walk through dense forest, crossing a small railway track bridge, and descending a set of steep wooden stairs. +1
Yes, there is a gravel parking lot at the top of Locust Street before the trailhead. +1
It's not recommended. The trail includes steep wooden stairs and can be muddy, making it difficult for strollers and bikes.
The access involves a walk and steep stairs, which can be challenging for those with mobility issues.
Expect a 10-minute walk through a forest, over a small railway bridge, and down a steep set of wooden stairs. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Locust Beach is a public access area and does not require tickets for entry.
As a natural beach, there are no official opening or closing hours. Access is generally available from dawn till dusk.
There is no entrance fee to visit Locust Beach.
Fires are generally discouraged or prohibited, though some visitors note seeing them. Respect 'no fire' signs and 'leave no trace' principles. +1
Yes, dogs are welcome at Locust Beach, but owners are reminded to clean up after them. +1
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Enjoy long walks on the expansive sand flats at low tide, build sandcastles, watch kite surfers, and take in stunning sunset views. +1
The beach is primarily rocky with sandy areas, especially at low tide. The sand is noted as excellent for sandcastles. +1
You can expect beautiful views of the bay, mountains, and potentially kite surfers on windy days.
It's often described as secluded, especially during low tide on weekdays, with rarely more than a few people.
No, there are no restrooms available at Locust Beach.
📸 📸 Photography
Early mornings at low tide offer solitude and soft light, while evenings provide spectacular sunset opportunities.
It's ideal for landscape photography, capturing sunsets, and wildlife, especially kite surfers.
The vast, exposed sand flats at low tide create unique perspectives, and the steep stairs offer interesting foregrounds. +1
A wide-angle lens for landscapes and a telephoto lens for kite surfers would be beneficial. Consider a tripod for low-light sunset shots.
Yes, some of the stunning coastal homes overlooking the beach are often featured in real estate photography.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚶♀️ Nature Enthusiasts & Photographers
🐶 Dog Owners
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Magic of Low Tide
It's crucial to consult tide charts before your visit. High tide can significantly reduce the beach area, making it less accessible and less appealing. Planning your visit around the ebb and flow of the water is key to experiencing the full magic of Locust Beach.
Navigating the Access Trail
The final descent to the beach is via a set of steep wooden stairs. These stairs can be tricky, especially if you're carrying gear or have young children. For this reason, it's generally not recommended for strollers or bikes.
Respecting the Environment
While some visitors note seeing fires on the beach, there are signs indicating that fires are not permitted. It's important to adhere to any posted regulations to protect the beach.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit