Washington State Parks

Park overview:

Peace Arch State Park is a unique 20-acre day-use park that lies on the boundary between the United States and Canada. The 67-foot Peace Arch monument sit on the border of the two nations at the 49th parallel. The arch was constructed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the treaties that were a result of the War of 1812 with Great Britain. This was the first structure in the world to celebrate lasting peace, planned and developed in conjunction with the Canadian Peace Arch Provincial Park.



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: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.

The park is open year round for day use only.

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.

Campsite Information:

The park has no camping.

Group Accommodations:

The park provides a rentable day-use facility: The American Kitchen. Surrounded by 20,000 flowers, this building features views of the San Juan islands, Point Roberts, Vancouver Island, Semiahmoo Bay and the historic Peace Arch on the United States/Canadian border. A scenic location for meetings, company picnics, weddings, receptions and reunions, the American Kitchen has an interior capacity of 100 people and a combined grounds rental capacity of 400.

To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

Park Features

The park is known for its lush gardens, vast lawns and panoramic views of Point Roberts and Vancouver Island. More than 10,000 annuals are planted each spring, resulting in abundant foliage year round and colorful blooms during the summer. Rhododendrons, azaleaz, dahlias and a hybrid tea rose garden are just some of the captivating plants on the grounds. The park also is the site of cultural and international events.

Birding is a popular park activity, with a variety of species viewable throughout the year. Species include: American crow, common rave, mallard duck, Canada goose, great blue heron, pelagic cormorant, common loon, Cooper’s hawk, red-tailed hawk, bald eagle, American kestrel, killdeer, seagull, rock dove, northern flicker, down woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, Stellar’s jay, tree swallow, violet-green swallow, barn swallow, brown creeper, varied thrush, bushtit, Bewick’s wren, cedar waxwing, European starling, dark-eyed junco, finch, red-winged black bird, Brewer’s blackbird, black-capped chickadee, chestnut-backed chickadee, Rufous hummingbird and sparrow

History

The 67-foot Peace Arch is jointly maintained by the United States and Canada. The concrete structure was the inspiration of Sam Hill, railroad builder and industrialist. Construction (begun in 1920) completed Sept. 6, 1921. The words which are printed on the U.S. side of the Peace Arch are "Children of a Common Mother" and "Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity" is on the Canadian side. In the middle of the arch are the words "May These Gates Never Be Closed" and on the opposite side in the middle is "1814 Open One Hundred Years." The Arch commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1814 and the Rush-Bagot Agreement in 1817. Entered into by the king of England and President Monroe, these treaties provided for an unguarded United States/Canadian border from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Bay of Fundy. Both treaties resulted from the War of 1812 with Great Britain.

Interpretive opportunities

The park features horticultural displays and historical signage.

Services/Supplies

	Available in the area
	• Auto repair • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Marine supplies • Overnight Accommodations • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • Wood

Most services are available within a few miles of the park.

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 0.6 mi. Hiking Trails		• Bird Watching • 2 Horseshoe pits
Activities include the annual United States/Canadian "Hands Across The Border" celebration attended by more than 30,000 visitors. There is an annual "Art In The Park" exhibition May through September. A swing set, play field and playground are located in the park.

Events

Events
Date/time	Event description	State Park
June 22 and 23 Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.	International Art Festival: Art representing the diversity and culture of both sides of the United States and Canadian border is on display at Peace Arch State Park. See the region's finest artists and artisans for two days of visual arts, textiles, sculpture, music, dance, gourmet food and more. Presented in partnership by Blaine Artists, Allied Arts of Bellingham and the city of Blaine. For more information, contact Diane Majors at (360) 332-9862.	Peace Arch (360) 332-8221
Sundays Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25 2 p.m.	Peace Arch International Concert Series: Experience the diverse music and dance of cultural from around the world at Peace Arch State Park. Concerts are every Sunday in Aug., beginning Aud. 4 and running through Aug. 25. More information will be available closer to the event. A Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program event.	Peace Arch (360) 332-8221

Find other events at Washington State Parks

Boating Features

Peace Arch does not have a launch but there is one located in Drayton Harbor within walking distance of the park.

Picnic and Day-use Facilities

There are 85 unsheltered picnic tables, including several ADA tables at the park, available first come, first served.

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
• Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels	• Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Gulls • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Woodpeckers • Wrens

Environmental Features

Physical Features		Plant Life
Rhododendrons, azaleaz, dahlias and a hybrid tea rose garden are just some of the captivating plants on the grounds. The park also features a multitude of tree species, including giant sequoia, coast redwood, metasequoia, sweet gum, white pine, deodar cedar, Altas cedar, burning bush, silver maple, scarlet maple, Norway maple, Bloodgood maple, Japanese laceleaf maple, katsura, camellia, white oak, copper beech, star magnolia, ginkgo biloba, white ash, flowering plum, horse chestnut, Hinoki false cypress, pieris japonica, red-twig dogwood, kousa dogwood, Mugho pine, Jeffery pine, golden thread cypress, blue ice cypress, honey locust, Hino crimson azalea, Colorado blue spruce and Siberian spruce.		• Cedar • Douglas Fir • Yew • Alder • Birch • Cherry • Maple • Oak • Rhododendron • Rose