US lakes & pondsUS lakes & pondsSurface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 152293145).
The red circle marks Lake Whatcom.
Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (Washington: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).
Official WDFW pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.
Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.
Stocked by the state: Kokanee (2015–2026, 12 years; 52,760,942 fish in all, fry included)
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, WDFW Fish Plants data on data.wa.gov (releases into Lake Whatcom, Whatcom County, since 2015). See WDFW trout stocking reports. These are stocking records, not a full fish survey; other species also live here.
Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.
Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 152293145), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: WDFW water access sites and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL). Dashed trails: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.
OpenStreetMap shows about 4.5 mi of public hiking and walking trail within about 100 m (330 ft) of the Lake Whatcom shoreline, mostly along the east and west shores.
The dashed brown line on the lake map shows these trails. We include paths, footways and marked trails that OpenStreetMap doesn't mark as private, and leave out roads, sidewalks and snowmobile corridors. Mapped trails can still cross private land or close for the season, and not every trail is mapped, so follow posted signs.
Trails: © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL). Map data as of Oct 9, 2026. Trail lengths count only the parts within about 100 m of the USGS NHD lake outline.
We found 23 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Lake Whatcom, 2 of them within 5 miles. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.
RVs welcome
Tent sites
RVs welcome · Tent sites · Showers · Toilets
Tent sites
All campgrounds & RV parks in Washington
Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.
Campground data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.
Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (48.7196, -122.3082). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Lake Whatcom. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.
Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in PT (America/Los_Angeles), and accurate to within a few minutes.
4 public access sites listed, 4 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.
| Site | Town | Owner | Type | Parking | Fee | Uses | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat ramp | — | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 48.7294, -122.3405 |
| Boat ramp | — | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 48.7214, -122.3247 |
| Boat ramp | Bellingham | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 48.7605, -122.4177 |
| Lake Whatcom Water Access Site | Bellingham | WDFW | Boat ramp · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 48.6734, -122.3150 |
WDFW water access sites and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL)
Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.
On OpenStreetMap: 1 beach or swimming spot on the shore of Lake Whatcom not marked private, residents-only or members-only.
| Beach | Type | Access | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Access Beach | Beach | Access not tagged; check posted rules | Get directions |
Beaches: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), within about 150 m (500 ft) of the lake outline. A mapped beach is not a guarantee that swimming is allowed, supervised or safe; some town beaches need a resident sticker even when the map doesn't say so. Check posted rules and water-quality advisories before you swim.
Reported on or near Lake Whatcom
USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database
USGS records matched to this water by location (within about 150 m of the outline) or by the place name in the record. A record shows a sighting was reported; it doesn't prove the species is still there. As of Oct 10, 2026.
Lake Whatcom covers about 4,919 acres in Bellingham, Washington (Whatcom County).
WDFW fish stocking records lists Kokanee.
Yes. 4 public trailer launches are listed: Lake Whatcom Water Access Site, Boat ramp and Boat ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.
OpenStreetMap shows 1 public beach or swimming spot on the shore. None of our sources lists a lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and follow posted rules.
Yes. We list 23 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 2 of them within 5 miles.
Lake Whatcom touches Bellingham in Whatcom County, Washington.
Know Lake Whatcom? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).
Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Washington lakes & ponds · All waters in Bellingham