Bay View State Park, a Washington State Park located near Anacortes, Bellingham and Burlington

BAY VIEW STATE PARK

BAY VIEW STATE PARK
10901 Bayview Edison Road
Mount Vernon, Washington 98273

(lat:48.4886 lon:-122.4787)

Phone: 360-757-0227
Reservations: 888-226-7688

Bay View State Park is a 25-acre camping park with 1,285 feet of saltwater shoreline on Padilla Bay. Over 11,000 acres of Padilla Bay are designated as National Estuarine Sanctuary. Breazeale Padilla Bay Interpretive Center is located a half mile north of the park. The park offers views of the San Juan Islands fronting Padilla Bay, one of 15 existing national marine estuaries. On clear days, park users see the Olympic Mountains to the west and Mt. Rainier to the south.

History of the Area

Bay View State Park was the home of Pat-Teh-Us, a Noo-Wha-Ah Indian chief and signer of the Point Elliot Treaty. The town was named by William J. Mckenna, who plotted the original townsite in 1884. The original portion of the park was donated to the state in 1925 by the Skagit County Agricultural Association with the understanding that it would become a state park. Additional parcels were acquired up until 1968. The park site, formerly a baseball field and racetrack, derives its name from the community of Bay View.

Passes

A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.

Camping

The park has tent spaces, utility spaces, cabins, dump station, restroom and showers. The campground is divided into three areas.

Sites T1 to T9 the view sites provide the best opportunity to view Padilla Bay and are also utility sites.

Sites T10 to T30 the utility sites face a 1.5-acre grassy section, which provides space for kids to play safely and for parents to keep an eye on them.

Sites 31 to 76 the standard campsites provide a parking place, stove, picnic table and space to pitch a tent.

The park provides one group camp for tents only.

Boating

The park is on Padilla Bay with a public watercraft launch three blocks from the park. Be advised Padilla Bay is heavily influenced by tidal action. The bay becomes a large mud flat during low tides.

Skagit County Parks provides a boat launch eight miles west of the park, just off Hwy. 20 under the Swinomish Channel. The launch is useable under various tide conditions.

Location

Bay View State Park is located near Anacortes, Bellingham and Burlington

Nearby Parks

Saddlebag Island State Park

Larrabee State Park

Skagit Island State Park

Donovan State Park

Skagit State Wildlife Recreation Area

Deception Pass State Park

Cone Islands State Park

James Island Marine State Park

Dot Rock State Park

Joseph Whidbey State Park

Picnicking

The beach shelter capacity is 175 people. It provides a view of Padilla Bay, large barbecues and ADA access, but no electricity. Rental fees vary depending on size of the group.

The park also provides sheltered and unsheltered picnic tables available first-come, first-served.

Area Attractions

The beach area is good for swimming, but no lifeguards are on-site. On windy days, with appropriate tides, sailboarding is becoming more popular. Crabbing and clamming are best at other locations along Padilla Bay or Bellingham Bay.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

November 13 When we were young by Ramy & Britt

It was some time in 1974... we came back from Vancouver Canada... and we styed about two weeks there in Bay View State Park...living in a tent...

September 17 Fishermans hideaway by David H. from Centralia

We recently tent camped (Sept 9-13) I have to say it was the nicest time we ever had in the park. Not because we limited everyday on Pink salmon, but do to the fact that the state employee (named Laurie) treated us like family! She was very informative, eager to be part of our lives and share hers. She even went out of her way to bring us some homemade banana bread, on her own time. The camp ground was quite and clean! We will be back for sure! Keep up the good work and I pray you see the value in Laurie as we do. Keep her there whatever it takes! Thank you for the wonderful time!

June 28 Definitely coming back! by EllieC23

This past weekend was my first time going and it was great! The kids loved it and had a great time exploring around the campsite and going down to the beach playing in the sand. Our site was nice and secluded and the bathroom facilities were well kept with warm water! Definitely coming back!

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Area Campgrounds

Fidalgo Bay Resort
4701 Fidalgo Bay Road
Anacortes, WA

Pioneer Trails RV Resort & Campground
7337 Miller Road
Anacortes, WA
888-777-5355

Wildwood Resort
990 S Lake Whatcom Blvd
Sedro Woolley, WA
360-595-2311

Cliffside RV Park
Oak Harbor, WA
360-257-2649

Thousand Trails Mount Vernon
5409 Darrk Lane
Bow, WA
360-724-4811

Thousand Trails La Conner
16362 Snee Oosh Road
La Conner, WA
360-466-3112

Nearby Hotels

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Directions

Located seven miles west of Burlington, Wash., and 14 miles east of Anacortes, Wash. in Skagit County.

From I-5 north or south:Take exit #230. Follow Hwy. 20 seven miles west to Bay View-Edison Rd. Signs will alert you to a right turn. Turn right onto Bay View-Edison Rd. Park is four miles north of Hwy. 20.