Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- All of the campsites at Birch Bay State Park are reservable for arrival dates from May 15 to September 15.
- The park is open year round for camping, though some campsites are closed in winter.
- All reservations can be made nine months in advance at most.
When to Go
Birch Bay State Park is open year round. It’s most busy on summer weekends and holidays, though summer weekdays can be busy, too. Spring and fall are quieter, with fewer crowds and campsites readily available without much advance planning. The park is very popular for crabbing, with harvest usually beginning in mid-August.
Know Before You Go
- If you plan to go crabbing or shellfishing at Birch Bay, be sure to buy a recreational license through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- The city of Bellingham, where you can stock up on essentials, is a short 20-minute drive away.
- The half-mile Terrell Marsh Interpretive Trail is one of the few remaining saltwater/freshwater estuaries in the area, and is a great spot to look for a variety of birds.
- The park requires visitors to purchase a Discover Pass for entry. Birch Bay has an automated pay station to buy a one-day or annual Discover Pass.
Birch Bay State Park
Camp next to a shellfish-harvesting hotspot just nine miles south of the Canadian border.
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Birch Bay carves a semi-circle out of Puget Sound, just nine miles south of the U.S.-Canada border. This peaceful spot shows off views of the North Cascades and Canada’s Gulf Islands—and features epic sunsets on clear days. Visitors can head to the beach at low tide to harvest oysters and clams, take a dip in the relatively warm water on a hot day, spot birds at Terrell Marsh, and set crab pots. Campsites at the sole Birch Bay Campground are tucked away in the forest, a short walk from the beach.
Birch Bay carves a semi-circle out of Puget Sound, just nine miles south of the U.S.-Canada border. This peaceful spot shows off views of the North Cascades and Canada’s Gulf Islands—and features epic sunsets on clear days. Visitors can head to the beach at low tide to harvest oysters and clams, take a dip in the relatively warm water on a hot day, spot birds at Terrell Marsh, and set crab pots. Campsites at the sole Birch Bay Campground are tucked away in the forest, a short walk from the beach.
Activities in the park
1 campground in Birch Bay State Park
Thank goodness there are plenty of sites at Birch Bay Campground, the scenery here is too breathtaking to have all to one person! Of the sites available, 147 are standard, 20 water and electric, and two are primitive--just you plus nature. An abundance of amenities are scattered about including eight restrooms (one ADA), and 18 showers (two ADA). Read more...
Why can't I see these campgrounds when I search with dates?
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- All of the campsites at Birch Bay State Park are reservable for arrival dates from May 15 to September 15.
- The park is open year round for camping, though some campsites are closed in winter.
- All reservations can be made nine months in advance at most.
Read more...Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Birch Bay State Park is open year round. It’s most busy on summer weekends and holidays, though summer weekdays can be busy, too. Spring and fall are quieter, with fewer crowds and campsites readily available without much advance planning. The park is very popular for crabbing, with harvest usually beginning in mid-August.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —