Located just seven miles south of the Canadian border at Blaine, Birch Bay is a popular tourist area for both American and Canadian visitors. A state park provides idyllic camping sites near the beach and the downtown area of Birch Bay has the feel of a seaside village, with shops and restaurants overlooking the water. Private campgrounds are also available for RV travelers near the downtown area.
State Park
Birch Bay State Park covers 194 acres and is bordered to the west by 8,255 feet of saltwater shoreline. Overnight tent campers can reserve one of 147 sites at the park and access eight restrooms and 18 showers. Utility sites also accommodate RV travelers and provide full or partial hookups. Most sites have picnic tables and fire pits and a paved pathway lines the perimeter of the park, providing a place to walk or ride bicycles. A pathway leads from camp sites to the beach, where many RVs, cars and trucks park during the day to enjoy the grassy areas and warm shallow waters.
Private Campgrounds
RV travelers have several options near downtown Birch Bay for overnight camping. Beachside RV Park is located directly on Birch Bay Drive and has 72 sites with pull-throughs available. Barbecue areas, a community fire pit and wireless Internet service are all amenities provided to guests at Beachside. Beachwood Resort requires a membership and allows tents and RVs to camp for the night. The resort covers 80 acres and features three heated pools, tennis courts, clubhouses and 24-hour security.
Beach and Recreational Activities
Exploring Birch Bay's tidal pools, building sand castles and strolling through the shallow warm waters are all ideal ways to spend a day at the beach. Kayaking is a popular sport in the calm waters of Birch Bay and paddle boats are also available for rent in town. Birch Bay's flat roads that parallel the beach are also well-suited for riding bicycles and enjoying the view.
Shell Fishing
Shellfish anglers flock to Birch Bay's shallow waters during open season to take advantage of the ocean's treasures. A shellfish license is required by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for anglers over age 14 and regulations apply to sizes and numbers of fish to be kept. The upper tide areas of Birch Bay are ideal for harvesting little neck and Manila clams, according to the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, while the lower tide areas yield butter clams, cockles and horse clams. Oysters must be shucked on the beach and Dungeness crabs must be male to be kept during open season.
Water Slides
A popular day time activity for kids who are camping on a warm summer day is to spend a few hours at Birch Bay Waterslides, The four-acre park has simple slides and shallow pools for young children and challenging drop-offs for adults. Older children and teens have many options to spend an active day on multiple slides. Birch Bay Waterslides are open daily in the summer and group rates are available.
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