Birch Bay: All Content
Park overview:
Birch Bay State Park is a 194-acre camping park with 8,255 feet of saltwater shoreline on Birch Bay and 14,923 feet of freshwater shoreline on Terrell Creek. The park is rich in shellfish resources and offers panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains and Canadian Gulf Islands.Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
The park is open year round for camping and day use. Some campsites are closed in winter.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
The park has 147 tent spaces (12' x 12') in the forested camping area, plus 20 utility spaces, an RV dump station, eight restrooms (one ADA), and 18 showers (two ADA). Maximum site length is 60 feet (may have limited availability). Campsites are reservable for arrival dates from May 15 through September 15 . To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Group Accommodations:
The park has one primitive group camp for up to 40 people. Two group camps with five standard sites each. Fees vary with size of the group. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.2013 camping fees:
Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Brooks Memorial, Columbia Hills, Conconully, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.
Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites
Maximum eight people per campsite.
Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.
Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.
More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Driving Directions
Located 20 miles north of Bellingham, Wash., and ten miles south of Blaine, Wash., near the Canadian border in Whatcom County.Park address:
5105 Helweg Road
Blaine, WA 98230
From the south:
Take exit #266 off of I-5. Go left on Grandview for seven miles, then right on Jackson Road for 1/2 mile, then turn left onto Helweg.
From the north:
Take exit #266 off of I-5, and turn right onto Grandview for seven miles, then right on Jackson Road for 1/2 mile, then turn left onto Helweg..
Park Maps
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.
Birch Bay downloadable pdf map #1List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.
Park Features
The Terrell Creek Marsh is one of the few remaining saltwater/freshwater estuaries in north Puget Sound. The park features nearly two miles of beach and great views of the Canadian Gulf Islands and the Cascade Mountains. A natural game sanctuary is at the park's north end.
History
Birch Bay was named by botanist Archibald Menzies for its abundance of black birch trees. Menzies was on the 1792 Vancouver expedition. Archeological evidence indicates that the bay was inhabited by Semiahmoo, Lummi and Nooksack tribes since prehistoric times. At the turn of the 20th century, the huge fir trees of the area were logged with oxen and horse teams. Large old-growth stumps, with spring-board marks, remain as evidence.Captain Vancouver stopped in Birch Bay during 1792 to calibrate instruments used to map their location and to brew beer, a common staple on the long voyage.
Interpretive opportunities
Birch Bay State Park has an active summer interpretive program, a 1/2 mile Terrell Marsh Interpretive Trail and four interpretive signs throughout the park.Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
| • Camping | • Camping • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Propane • White gas • Wood • Swimming |
A convenience store is one block from the park entrance. Most other services are available within a few miles of the park.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 0.5 mi. Hiking Trails | • Boating (saltwater) • 1 boat ramp (saltwater) • Fishing (saltwater) • Personal Watercraft (saltwater) • Swimming (saltwater) • Clamming • Crabbing • Oysters | • 1 Amphitheater • 1 Basketball Court • Beach Exploration • Bird Watching • 6 Fire Circles • Interpretive Activities • Wildlife Viewing |
Birch Bay is a popular destination for hard shell clamming and is abundant in Dungeness crab, harvest season normally begins mid-August. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website. | ||
Events
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
| Events | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Feb. 17 8 a.m. |
2013 Birch Bay International Marathon - 45th Annual Event: Test your endurance by racing along Birch Bay, with views of the Cascade Mountains, White Rock and the Canadian Gulf Islands. The paved course is mostly flat, with a one very short steep climb. Racers will start and finish the race within Birch Bay State Park. This certified race is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon (code WA 06002 BL). Registration and a fee are required for participation. Registration closes Feb. 12. For course details or to register, visit www.birchbaymarathon.com. |
Birch Bay (360) 371-2800 |
Boating Features
There is one boat launch available at the park.A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a daily trailer dump permit for $5 is available at the park.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
There is one kitchen shelter with electricity and water; first come, first served. A reservable group day-use area includes a picnic shelter and accomodates up to 125 guests. Call the park to reserve at (360) 371-2800. The park has six sheltered and 120 unsheltered picnic tables.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Deer or Elk • Muskrats • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels | • Crows or Ravens • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Grouse • Gulls • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Owls • Woodpeckers • Wrens | • Clams • Crabs • Mussels • Oysters • Sea Birds • Seals • Starfish • Bullhead • Salmon • Steelhead |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Alder • Birch • Cherry • Maple • Foxglove • Lupines • Berries • Eel Grass • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Seaweed |
Park photo gallery
