Birch Bay State Park

4.30

136 reviews

5105 Helweg Road, Blaine, WA 98230

Quick Facts

Price

$5 - $45/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Park day-use hours v...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

RV FriendlyElectricShowersWiFi

Opens Washington State Parks site

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Quick Facts

Price

$5 - $45/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Park day-use hours v...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

RV FriendlyElectricShowersWiFi

Opens Washington State Parks site

Get Directions

Birch Bay State Park

$5.00 - $45.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Discover Pass: Annual Pass $45, One-day Pass $10. Overnight Unattended Vehicle Fee: $10 per night. Watercraft Launch Fee: $7 per day. Trailer Dump...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Going To Camp

Provider

(360) 371-2800

What Campers Say

4.30

Satisfactory

Based on 136 reviews

1931 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanshowersshadebeach

Some mention

noise

"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive: visitors praise the beach access, sunsets, clean restrooms/showers, well-kept campsites shaded by large trees, good facilities (boat launch, picnic areas, interpretive trail) and family-friendly activities like crabbing and tidepooling. A minority of reviewers cite noise from occasional vendors and campsites that can feel close together."

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Fees & Passes at Birch Bay State Park

$5 - $45/night

Campsite fees

Prices verified December 14, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Washington State Parks website.

Best Time to Camp at Birch Bay State Park

Birch Bay State Park transforms beautifully with the seasons, welcoming visitors year-round with adjusted hours (summer 6:30 a.m. to dusk, winter 8 a.m. to dusk). The campground's North Loop operates first-come, first-served from mid-September through mid-May, offering a quieter experience for cold-weather adventurers. While the park typically winterizes in late November and reopens fully by late March, winter camping remains available in the North Loop with a dedicated water supply. Plan ahead if you're visiting during the shoulder seasons, as water service may be temporarily limited during the winterization process.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Park day-use hours vary by season (Summer: 6:30 a.m. – Dusk; Winter: 8 a.m. – Dusk). Camping: North Loop (sites 1–38) is first-come, first-served Sept. 16–May 14; the park is typically winterized by late November and de-winterized by late March; water may be shut off during winterization.

About Birch Bay State Park

Nestled in a stunning blue cove between Bellingham and Blaine, Birch Bay State Park is where forested tranquility meets saltwater adventure. This coastal gem welcomes everyone from tent campers to large RVs (up to 60 feet) with standard, primitive, and partial-hookup sites, plus a group camp complete with shelter—all just steps from a rocky beach and convenient boat launch.

Mix of campground site types in a forested setting with day-use beach access: tent sites, standard sites, primitive sites and partial hookup/utility sites; one group camp is available.

Weather and SeasonsBirch Bay State Park transforms beautifully with the seasons, welcoming visitors year-round with adjusted hours (summer 6:30 a.m. to dusk, winter 8 a.m. to dusk). The campground's North Loop operates first-come, first-served from mid-September through mid-May, offering a quieter experience for cold-weather adventurers. While the park typically winterizes in late November and reopens fully by late March, winter camping remains available in the North Loop with a dedicated water supply. Plan ahead if you're visiting during the shoulder seasons, as water service may be temporarily limited during the winterization process.

Natural Features and SceneryDiscover the best of Washington's coastal landscape in one spectacular park. Wind through towering cedars and Douglas firs to reach your campsite, then explore the diverse shoreline where rocky beaches give way to sandy stretches and fascinating tidal flats. The Terrell Marsh interpretive trail invites you into a thriving wetland ecosystem, while meadows and viewpoint areas frame breathtaking vistas of distant mountain ranges rising beyond the bay. Time your visit right and you'll find tidepools teeming with marine life, seasonal wildflowers painting the landscape, and wildlife making appearances throughout the park.

Geological RegionSaltwater shoreline / Birch Bay (coastal bay)

Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Open and Closed SeasonPark day-use hours vary by season (Summer: 6:30 a.m. – Dusk; Winter: 8 a.m. – Dusk). Camping: North Loop (sites 1–38) is first-come, first-served Sept. 16–May 14; the park is typically winterized by late November and de-winterized by late March; water may be shut off during winterization.

Reservation Platformswashington.goingtocamp.com (GoingToCamp)

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Dump station

WiFi

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Activities you can enjoy

Coastal park with beach and bay access offering boating and launches, paddle sports, shellfish harvesting and crabbing, beach exploration/tidepooling, interpretive trails, biking and hiking, plus seasonal interpretive programs and winter camping options.

Hiking

Several hiking trails including the half-mile Terrell Marsh Interpretive Trail and other park hiking trails and interpretive opportunities.

Fishing

Fishing and shellfish harvesting (clams, mussels, oysters) are popular; a recreational license is required and shellfish safety/biotoxin closures may apply.

Swimming

Park is known for relatively warm water and is used for swimming in summer.

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are allowed
Fires allowed only in designated fire pits and grills. Propane and gas grills permitted. Note active Burn Ban - Level 1 on file.

Hazards

General hazardsShellfish harvests may be affected by biotoxin closures (check official Shellfish Safety Map). The park may be winterized seasonally causing water shutdowns. (An active Burn Ban - Level 1 is noted in alerts.)

Weather at Birch Bay State Park

°F

Dec 14

Sunday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 86%

Wind: 5.8 mph

Overcast

Weather History

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Detailed 7-Day Forecast

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Good to know

Common complaintsSome visitors report sites are somewhat close together in places; occasional noise from vendors (one review mentions ice cream truck noise); weekends can be busy.

Campground Map

5105 Helweg Road, Blaine, WA 98230

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.3

136 reviews

Satisfactory

Birch Bay State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive: visitors praise the beach access, sunsets, clean restrooms/showers, well-kept campsites shaded by large trees, good facilities (boat launch, picnic areas, interpretive trail) and family-friendly activities like crabbing and tidepooling. A minority of reviewers cite noise from occasional vendors and campsites that can feel close together.

Review Summaries

Based on 136 reviews

What Campers Love

Great beach and bay access, strong crabbing/clamming and tidepooling opportunities, clean bathrooms and showers, shaded campsites among large trees, convenient boat launch and on-site interpretive...

Based on 136 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring a Discover Pass for day use. Check low tide and shellfish/biotoxin closures before harvesting and buy the required recreational license. Off-season (after Sept. 15) some sites operate...

Based on 136 reviews

Camper Quotes

“The beach access is amazing… great boat launch.”; “Bathrooms kept impressively clean.”; “Sites are mostly shaded with huge trees.”; “Check online for low tide and buy the licence beforehand.”

Based on 136 reviews