Bellingham, Washington is located in the northwest corner of the United States, within Whatcom County, and 20 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border. The City of Bellingham is just 90 miles (145 km) north of Seattle, WA and 55 miles (88 km) south of Vancouver, British Columbia. As the largest city and the seat of Whatcom County, Bellingham provides an urban vibe in an otherwise predominantly rural environment.
Cradled by lush, evergreen mountains and the protected Salish Sea, Bellingham is a land of rugged adventure and soul-soothing nature. This is the perfect basecamp for hiking Mt. Baker and North Cascades National Park, scenic drives, or saltwater sea kayaking, sailing and whale watching.
Whatcom County’s western border encompasses over 130 miles (209 km) of meandering shoreline. Part of the Salish Sea, an intricate network of coastal waterways shared by the U.S. and Canada, this is one of the world’s longest and biologically richest inland seas. Bellingham city limits also border the Salish Sea, along the shore of Bellingham Bay.
The 10,781 foot (3,286 m) slumbering volcano known as Mount Baker (or Komo Kulshan to the native Coast Salish People), dominates the horizon to the east of Bellingham, WA. Mt. Baker holds the record for most snowfall in a single season and has the longest ski season in Washington State. In the summer months Mt. Baker also offers world-class hiking and recreation options. The Mount Baker Highway (WA State Route 542), is a 58 mile drive beginning in Bellingham and ending at the Artist Point overlook, with close views of Mount Baker.
The western half of Whatcom County is included in North Cascades National Park. A vast wilderness area, and the second-most biologically diverse location in the U.S. National Park system, North Cascades is a sprawling alpine and evergreen reserve home to over 300 glaciers as well as 300 lakes. It is beloved for all types of outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing in a pristine natural environment.
Whatcom County shares an international border with British Columbia, Canada. Travelers may access land border crossings at Blaine, Lynden, Point Roberts and Sumas. The Peace Arch crossing in Blaine, WA is one of the busiest crossings on the entire U.S. – Canada border.
Bellingham is accessible by automobile on Interstate 5, as well as on the scenic byway Chuckanut Drive. Travel time from Bellingham to Seattle varies by time of day and the amount of traffic in the Seattle area. Without traffic it is generally 1.5 hours.
Train travel to Bellingham is available on Amtrak. Flights to Bellingham on Alaska Airlines and Allegiant Air arrive daily at Bellingham International Airport (BLI).
