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 archeological significance and offers panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains and Canadian Gulf Islands.
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). Camping areas are subject to availability, and reservations are accepted for summer camping. 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 reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
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).
2010 FeesAn additional $2 per night is added to the basic camping fees listed below at this high-use park. Basic camping fees are:
Standard campsite, $19.
Full utility campsite, $26.
Partial utility campsite, $25.
Primitive campsite and water trail camping, $12
An additional $3 fee (standard) or $5 fee (utility) may be charged for select premium campsites at some parks.
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 hoursCheck-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 during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the
reservation system and campsite maps.
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.
Park Winter Schedule
| Campground Closes |
| Campground Reopens |
| Day-Use Closes |
| Day-Use Reopens |
| Watercraft Launch Closes |
| Watercraft Launch Reopens | |
| Partial |
| Partial |
| Open |
| Open |
| None |
| None |
|
Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks
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 Helwig 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 for one mile, then turn left onto Helweg.
From the north:
Take exit #266 off of I-5, and turn right onto Grandview.
Park Maps
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the
reservation system and campsite maps.
Birch Bay downloadable pdf map #1
Birch Bay downloadable pdf map #2
List of all downloadable Washington State Park
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.
Interpretive opportunities
There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this 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)
• Fishing (saltwater)
• Personal Watercraft (saltwater)
• Swimming (saltwater)
• Clamming
• Crabbing
• Oysters
| • 1 Amphitheater
• 1 Basketball Court
• Beachcombing
• Bird Watching
• 6 Fire Circles
• Interpretive Activities
• Wildlife Viewing
|
|
Events
Full list of
events at Washington State Parks
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
There is one kitchen shelter with electricity and water; to reserve call (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
• Rhododendron
• Berries
• Eel Grass
• Ferns
• Moss or Lichens
• Seaweed
|
|
Park photo gallery
