Photo: Ken Shear
Photo: Amanda Dalrymple
Photo: Kristin Covell
Birch Bay State Park
★4.6(2,260 reviews)FreePark
🕑 3-5 hours👶 Best for ages 2-12. Toddlers and preschoolers love the shallow, warm waters and gentle waves, while elementary-aged kids can spend hours tidepooling and exploring the sandy shores. The easy trails work well for all ages, including stroller-friendly paths.🧡 Saved by 22 families
About
Birch Bay State Park is a family paradise with over a mile of warm, shallow sandy beach perfect for building sandcastles and wading with little ones. Kids will be thrilled exploring the expansive tidelands at low tide to discover crabs, clams, and starfish, while parents appreciate the well-maintained picnic areas and easy hiking trails through coastal forest. The gentle waters and protected bay make it one of the safest and most kid-friendly beaches in the Pacific Northwest.
Highlights
- ✓Extensive shallow waters perfect for young swimmers and waders
- ✓Incredible tidepooling with crabs, starfish, sand dollars, and sea creatures
- ✓Over a mile of sandy beach ideal for sandcastle building
- ✓Easy 2-mile Terrell Marsh Trail through wetlands with bird watching
- ✓Shaded picnic areas with tables and fire pits
Pro Tips
- 1.Visit during low tide for the best tidepooling - check tide charts before you go and arrive 1-2 hours before low tide for maximum exploration time
- 2.Bring buckets and nets for crab hunting, but remember this is a marine reserve so everything must be returned to the water
- 3.The north end of the beach near the campground tends to be less crowded than the day-use area parking lot
- 4.Pack water shoes as the tidelands can have sharp shells, and bring layers since it can be breezy even on sunny days
- 5.Arrive early on summer weekends as the parking lot fills up quickly by late morning
Best Time to Visit
Summer weekdays (June-August) offer the warmest water and weather with fewer crowds than weekends. Visit during morning low tides for the best tidepooling opportunities, or late afternoon for stunning sunset views over the water.
What to Know
Discover Pass required ($10 daily or $30 annual) for parking. Restrooms and outdoor showers available at day-use area. No food vendors on-site, so pack a picnic lunch and plenty of snacks and water.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round, but summer (June-September) offers the warmest water temperatures and best beach weather. Spring and fall can be lovely for hiking and beachcombing with fewer crowds, though water is cold. Winter visits are possible but expect cool, rainy conditions.
Nearby Eats
C-Shop at Birch Bay (5 minutes away) offers casual burgers, fish and chips, and ice cream perfect for beachgoers. For sit-down dining, Birch Bay Village has several family-friendly options including Milano's Pizza & Pasta.
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