Whatcom Falls is a 20-foot block waterfall on Whatcom Creek in Whatcom Falls Park in Bellingham, Washington, seen from the stone footbridge beside the parking area.
The falls
The creek drops over a vertical block at a sharp bend; a hatchery spillway upstream creates an artificial-looking upper tier. The creek is fed by a lake and flows year-round, with the best flow in winter and spring.
Getting there
Whatcom Falls Park, managed by the City of Bellingham, has entrances at 1401 Electric Avenue and on Silver Beach Road, the latter serving the fish hatchery, a bridge over the creek, a lower playground, picnic shelters, and a derby pond. Park hours run 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
When to go
Winter through spring brings the best flow over the falls, which run year-round.
On site
The city sets aside an off-leash area within Whatcom Falls Park; elsewhere, dogs must be under control and leashed. Base or top access to the falls, the swimming rule, viewpoint accessibility, and any incident history are not documented.
Nearby
Upper Whatcom Falls is about 0.1 mile away, Whirlpool Falls about 0.2 mile, and Pixie Falls about 0.6 mile.
Distances are straight-line.