Birch Bay State Park

Located just a few miles south of the Canadian border in the far northern reaches of the Puget Sound, Birch Bay State Park is a great place to experience the sea without having to drive too far from the freeway. The 1.5-mile saltwater shoreline is packed with shellfish, and it offers beautiful views of Birch Bay and the Canadian Gulf Islands. Peak season boat traffic fills the bay around mid-August when the harvest season for hard shell clams and Dungeness Crab opens. 

Terrell Creek runs the length of the shore and separates the day use area and beach from the 170-site forested campground. With only 20 of those being RV-hookup sites, the area retains a primitive and woodsy feel, especially on the south loop.  The interpretive Terrell Marsh Trail makes a 0.5-mile loop through the east portion of the park and is a wonderful introduction to various types of trees and plants. The marsh is one of the few remaining brackish estuaries in the north Puget Sound, and it attracts many feathered visitors, such as the Migratory Waterfowl and Great Blue Blue Heron.

Note: A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington State Parks. For regulations, fishing season information, or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.