Padden Creek Lagoon
About
Padden Creek Lagoon is a public ocean beach in Washington, about 3 miles from Bellingham. Facilities include restrooms, and a fee is charged to visit. Swimming is not allowed here, so plan on enjoying the shoreline rather than the water. Summer is the most comfortable time to go: typical averages from a nearby weather station show highs around 75°F in July and August, with only about six wet days in each of those months. Winter brings highs in the upper 40s and roughly 20 wet days a month from December through January. Several other spots sit within a short drive. Sehome Arboretum is about 2 miles away, and the Samish Crest Trail and Padden Loop Trail are each roughly 2.5 miles off. For an overnight stay, Larrabee State Park Campground lies about 4.6 miles from the lagoon.
Beach Details
Swimming
Not allowed
Parking
Available
Fee
Fee charged
Restrooms
Yes
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Padden Creek Lagoon
Washington
Data: Washington State Department of Ecology, Coastal Atlas public beach access. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: May–Oct. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–75°F and lows of 44–54°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA weather station, 0.3 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan48° high35° low
- Feb50° high35° low
- Mar54° high38° low
- Apr59° high41° low
- May66° high46° low
- Jun70° high51° low
- Jul75° high54° low
- Aug75° high54° low
- Sep69° high50° low
- Oct60° high44° low
- Nov52° high39° low
- Dec47° high35° low
Nearby
- Sehome ArboretumRock climbing1.7 mi
- Samish Crest TrailHiking2.4 mi
Aeration Stabilization Basin TrailHikingPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)2.4 mi- Padden Loop TrailHiking2.5 mi
- Whatcom CreekCanoeing3.8 mi
- Larrabee State Park CampgroundCamping4.6 mi
- Squalicum CreekCanoeing5.8 mi
- Cascadia Marine Trail Campsite - Lummi IslandCamping6.4 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Padden Creek Lagoon
Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
48° / 35°
20 wet
Feb
50° / 35°
17 wet
Mar
54° / 38°
17 wet
Apr
59° / 41°
15 wet
May
66° / 46°
12 wet
Jun
70° / 51°
10 wet
Jul
75° / 54°
6 wet
Aug
75° / 54°
6 wet
Sep
69° / 50°
9 wet
Oct
60° / 44°
16 wet
Nov
52° / 39°
19 wet
Dec
47° / 35°
20 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bellingham 3 Ssw, WA, 0.3 mi away at 15 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
