Find information and resources from Whatcom County and Washington State departments of health, regional transportation, our visitor center, Western Washington University, and other helpful guidelines on how to visit safely and responsibly.
In addition to the information below, effective August 23, 2021, there is a state of Washington INDOOR MASK MANDATE REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS. Please respect our front line employees and comply with this state mandate.
Effective June 30, gatherings of any size are permitted, indoors or outdoors. Businesses, recreation sites, and venues will be open at full capacity (but they must meet workplace safety requirements).The only exception applies to large indoor venues capable of hosting 10,000 people or more. These will be open at 75% capacity.
We’ve reopened because COVID-19 disease activity is low and trending down, and vaccination rates continue to rise. But COVID-19 is still with us. If at any point the state’s Intensive Care Units reaches 90% occupancy, restrictions may be reimposed.
The Whatcom County Health Department (WCHD) has a resource on vaccination, testing, and case information at https://whatcomcounty.us/ncov.
Going into the great outdoors? Updates around COVID-19 measures can be found on the Whatcom Parks & Recreation website.
US/Canada Border info: USA TO Canada: Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens can cross into Canada on Aug. 9, 2021, subject to limited exceptions, all travelers must use the ArriveCAN app or website to submit their travel information to Canadian officials before coming to the border crossing. Canada TO USA: On November 8, Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination will be Required at Canadian Border to enter the US. Unvaccinated visitors will still be barred from entering the United States from Canada at land borders. Seeking the latest border crossing requirements to travel north into Canada, or south into the United States? Information for Canadians and Americans both, here.
Western Washington University has COVID-19 updates including vaccination requirements and testing information at https://www.wwu.edu/coronavirus.
Whatcom County includes Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, Birch Bay, Point Roberts, Lummi Island, Lynden, Sumas, Everson, Nooksack, Deming, Glacier and Newhalem. Sign up for Whatcom County public alerts here.
I am visiting from out of town/Canada and I need to get a COVID test before returning home, where do I go?
There are drive-through and walk-in options. Go to: Whatcom County Testing Locations Page
The mask mandate is still in effect and unvaccinated people still need to wear masks in most indoor locations outside the home. See masking page for more details.
Visit our "Getting Here" section, or check directly with carriers and resources below for specific updates or special advisories.
Take a look at the Department of Transportation website for local travel alerts.
Temperatures for the region vary based on altitude (for example, sea level in Blaine or the ski area of Mt. Baker) and other factors. The average high in Bellingham in July is 72 degrees with a low of 53 degrees. In January the high is around 43 degrees and the low 31 degrees. On the average there are 71 sunny days, 93 partly sunny days and 201 cloudy days.
Check out the latest information on air quality in our region here.
Most outdoor recreation near Bellingham is open with appropriate safety precautions, including hiking, biking, camping, beaches, fishing, hunting, boating, horseback riding, paddlesports, tennis, go karts, ORV/motorcross, and golf. Whatcom County Parks and Trails are open.
Check to see if we're open, our locations are listed here.
Staff is also available via email: contact info@bellingham.org for visitor information.
