Lakewood
Boathouse Hours of Operation
March 29th-June 9th
Mon, Wed, Fri. 2:00p - 7:30p
Tues, Thurs CLOSED
Sat & Sun 12:00p - 7:30p
Memorial Day, June 10th-18th, & Juneteenth CLOSED
June 20th-Aug 20th
Mon - Fri, Sat & Sun 12:00p - 7:30p
Fourth of July CLOSED
Aug 21st-September 17th
Mon, Wed, Fri 2:00p - dusk
Tues, Thurs CLOSED
Sat & Sun. 12:00p - dusk
Labor Day & September 18th-25th CLOSED
September 26th-Nov 5th
Mon, Wed, Fri 2:00p - dusk
Tues, Thurs CLOSED
Sat & Sun 12:00p - dusk
All Days
CLOSED
What is Lakewood?
Lakewood is WWU’s student-centric watersports facility located on beautiful Lake Whatcom. The Lakewood Boathouse serves those affiliated with the Bellingham college communities (WWU, NWIC, WCC, BTC) by providing easy access to a variety of non-motorized watercraft for recreation and training. Additionally, the 4,000-square-foot log facility contains a meeting space and locker rooms. The expansive 15-acre grounds contain trails, beaches, docks, picnic tables with charcoal BBQs, and a Ropes Challenge Course.
WWU Men's Crew Team and the WWU Sailing Team use Lakewood as their primary year-round training facility.
Lakewood’s meeting space, The Bill McDonald Lounge, is a wonderful, cozy space for social gatherings, retreats, meetings, and more! Departments and on-campus groups: reserve the lounge through Mazevo. Off campus/private events please submit a reservation request here.
How can I learn to kayak, windsurf, or sail at Lakewood?
Students have access to FREE or low-cost lessons taught by Boathouse student staff. For more information, and to sign up for an upcoming drop-in lesson or lesson series, visit Lakewood’s WIN event page.
For-credit, quarter-long classes are available through the Physical Education department: Western Course Catalog.
Private lessons taught by Boathouse Instructors are available by advanced online request only. Private Lessons requests are collected Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Youth summer camps will not be offered in 2023 but may be reintroduced for summer 2024 and beyond!
What is the Boathouse?
The Lakewood Boathouse offers students, staff, faculty, and alumni access to the Lake through low-cost/low-barrier boat rentals. The Boathouse has over 70 rentable watercraft including:
- Single and Double Kayaks (sit inside and sit on-top)
- Stand-up Paddleboards (SUPs)
- Canoes
- Pedalboats
- Windsurfers
- Laser and Alpha sailing dinghies
- Catamarans
- 22’ Keelboats
What are the boat rental costs?
WWU students rent paddlecraft and small sailboats for FREE for up to two-hours. Rental fees for NWIC, BTC, WCC students are low-cost. Staff/Faculty/Alumni Association members can pay an annual fee to gain access to the boats the whole boating season, or pay by the session. The Lakewood Watercraft Fee Schedule lists all boat rental fees.
Who can use the boathouse equipment?
Any member of the Western Washington University, Northwest Indian College, Whatcom Community College, or Bellingham Technical College communities (students, staff, faculty) with campus I.D. WWU Alumni Association members are also welcome with Alumni Association I.D. To use a windsurfer or small sailboat, guests must have some prior experience. Large sailboats use first requires a scheduled orientation and test that includes demonstration of skills.
Where is Lakewood?
Lakewood is located approximately 7 miles from Western's main campus at 2410 Lake Whatcom Blvd. on the beautiful shore of Lake Whatcom.
Map To Lakewood | Bus Service to Lakewood | Accessibility Access at Lakewood
Contact us!
During Boathouse hours you can reach staff by phone (360) 650-2900 or email . All other inquiries please contact Lakewood Manager Nino Johnson
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Today's weather at Lakewood
