Birch Bay State Park — Attraction in Birch Bay

It was a long drive on Grandview after exiting on 266 and I was wondering if I was on the correct road but Google maps said I was on track. Saw the sign for park and turned in. It was a little unsettling for me because all sides had tall trees and it was kind of dark at 6:30 am. I was supposed to meet my friend at BP Heron center which has red barn like structure. I made a left turn and it was camping ground. Went back on Helweg Rd and went further in. Good thing there were cars passing by otherwise I felt like turning around and heading home. Pulled in to grassy area to the right where others cars were parked and went to Google maps for directions to BP Heron Center. I turned right into Helweg and continued straight crossing over tiny bridge to turn right on Birch Bay. What a contrast. It was dark where I was driving from but once you crossed the bridge, there was the open sky and water. So bright....stepped out of the dark into the light. I found BP Heron Center and walked to the water's edge. Only company was birds galore. There were these tiny birds who were scattered along the edge of the water. Thought to myself this would be a perfect place to come to when I wanted solitude. I could sit on the tree logs scattered along the water and gaze into nothingness. While squealching my way on the rocks scattered adjacent to the water, I discovered some beautiful and smooth rocks. I thought I could try turning these rocks into jewelry but I have to complete 3 things before I can attempt this. My friend came and we took a leisure jaunt walking further into Birch Bay. Lots of other walkers enjoying the bright sunshine and cool morning air. Very enjoyable walk looking at water and quaint bright colored Square homes on the right which look like the Monopoly game home pieces(said my friend Anita). We stopped to smell a plant which had a branch exploding with white flowers but the dog behind the gated fence was not so appreciative and vociferously barked so we could move away. Very enjoyable experience so my friend and I will be back...

Lovely... but a little higher off the beach than I thought. The path down is steep and not passable with mobility equipment. No matter, there is lots of parking along the beach edge... even the occasional ADA spot. We brought the ADA van but you could follow the road down to the beach just be warned, stay on the road and the end part is steep. No real sidewalks and the one near the end isnt passible. Make sure your battery is charged.

No ADA beach access other than boat ramp at far end of the park. But I sat at a picnic table on the water side just feet from the beach and that was good enough to feel like a day the beach. The weather was great mid July (not too hot) but bring shade because I think we snagged the only water side table with afternoon shade. Campsites in the inner loop that have power are a little cramped and close to your neighbor but it was fine. The tide was coming up from 1pm on and close enough to reach to swim by 2-4pm but check your tide charts if swimming is a must as low tide can be a long, long way out.

Bunch of able-bodied people using the ADA shower in the main building but if you go further into the smaller loop there is another washroom building with 2 all Inclusive (sink, toilet, ADA shower) rooms that nobody seemed to be using. I didn't get the chance to try it out. Sites are hard pack gravel and dirt. Very big trees so lots of shade on most sites. Some of the no power sites on the water side have great views. The ADA site w/power is lovely with paved pad under picnic table and path direct to washroom building. Its one of the more private sites and plenty big enough for our 37' rig.

Too bad someone else was using it... no mobility equipment either. 3 grankids and grandparents. Grandma had a limp but was basically able-bodied and keeping up with her hubby just fine. Hope she looked over at me in my wheelchair and mom in the scooter and felt...

This is a quite large park that requires Discovery Pass or for you to pay about $10 per day. There is a lot of parking spaces along the Bay (not just next to the main party of the park). There are 2 restrooms that I've seen. One is a newer building with 1 shower stall, 2 changing stalls, 2 sinks with water, hand dryers, and of course toilets. You can walk along the beach which is typically composed of rocks and sometimes sand.

I recommend checking when the high tide is online before coming because the scenery will be so much better. The first time I came, it was during low tide and the water was so far away from the road that it wasn't particularly appealing to look at the wet rocks and sand, almost mud-like consistency in some areas. But high tide is a completely different story.

A lot of kids and even adults swim at this park because the water is quite warm. The water seemed a little too dirty for my liking - at least in the areas I looked at, but that clearly hasn't stopped others, and I assume the water would get clearer once you get further from the edge and deeper into the water.

In all, this is a great location to spend a day at with your family and kids for a picnic, a swim, a walk along the beach or on trails, etc. and free (if you already have...