The Pacific Northwest is a popular destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. If you are planning a trip to the area, consider visiting Birch Bay, Wash. This rugged wilderness bay area is popular location during the summertime because it is situated between the Cascade Mountains and the warmest waters north of California. There are many types of outdoor activities to choose from.
Location
Located only 20 miles north of Bellingham, Wash., Birch Bay is easily accessible from Interstate 5. While Bellingham has been recognized as one of the top cities in the U.S. to live in, Birch Bay features a more relaxed pace of life, according to its residents. The small community is conveniently situated near Mount Baker, Vancouver and Whistler Resort, and it is only 100 miles north of Seattle.
Kids' Activities
There are lots of activities in Birch Bay for children and adults who are still kids at heart. Visitors and residents may partake in bicycling--both leisure riding and mountain biking--kite flying and sandcastle building. There is even a sandcastle building contest held each June. If you love the water, Birch Bay offers a pleasurable swimming experience. The bay waters typically heat up to bathtub-like temperatures after low tide, and younger swimmers can safely swim in the low-undertow, shallow-sand flat areas.
Wildlife Activities
Birch Bay offers plenty of activities for viewing nature and wildlife. Because of its location in the northwest corner of Washington State, Birch Bay is a common migrating bird shelter in the cold winter months. This means bird watching can be done year round in Birch Bay. Great blue herons are native to Birch Bay, as are seagulls, eagles and geese. If you have a hunter-gatherer spirit, you can catch crabs and clams during the low tide (you'll need to buy a license for this). Catch large-mouth bass at the nearby freshwater lake, Lake Terrell.
Boating Activities
If you prefer to be out on the water, Birch Bay State Park has a public boat launch that provides access to Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia. Birch Bay is also a popular kayaking area because the waters stay calm due to the shallow bay.
Camping
Many people camp outdoors at the Birch Bay State Park. This park is situated on 194 acres and offers 8,255 feet of saltwater beach, according to the Birch Bay website. The camping area is very popular in the summertime, so plan ahead and make reservations.
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