Lighthouse Marine Park sits at the very tip of Point Roberts, the unusual piece of Whatcom County that you reach by crossing into Canada and back. It is a 24-acre oceanfront county park, and its claim to fame is whale watching: this is one of the best land-based spots anywhere to see orcas passing offshore. Beyond the wildlife, you get a campground, a playground, a rocky beach, picnic areas, fishing and a boat launch, with parking and restrooms on site. The park is seasonal, generally open from mid-April through October. Getting here takes some planning given the border crossings, but for the orca viewing and the remote oceanfront setting, plenty of people make the trip.

What you’ll find

The headline at Lighthouse Marine Park is the orca watching. The park’s position at the tip of Point Roberts puts you out where the whales travel, and it is regarded as one of the premier land-based viewing spots in the region. The rest of the park supports a real visit: there is a campground for overnight stays, a playground for kids, a rocky beach, picnic areas, fishing and a boat launch. Parking and restrooms are on site. Keep in mind the park is seasonal, generally mid-April through October. This is a remote, oceanfront destination, not a casual neighborhood park, and the trip out, including the border crossings to reach Point Roberts, is part of the experience.

Good for

Whale watchers above all, plus campers wanting an oceanfront site, families with the playground and beach, anglers, and anyone drawn to a remote tip-of-the-map setting. The campground makes it possible to stay overnight and catch the whales across different tides and times of day. Because reaching Point Roberts means crossing the border, this works best as a planned trip rather than a spur-of-the-moment outing, and you will want your travel documents in order. For the right visitor, the chance to watch orcas from shore makes the effort more than worth it. Confirm the park’s seasonal dates and any camping details before you go.

When to go

Lighthouse Marine Park is generally open from mid-April through October, so your visit has to fall within that window. Summer is the busiest and most reliable time for both camping and whale watching, though orca sightings depend on the whales and are never guaranteed. Because Point Roberts is reached by crossing into Canada and back, plan your trip around the border and carry proper identification. If orcas are the goal, give yourself time and patience, and consider an overnight at the campground to improve your odds. Check the county for current opening dates, camping availability and any conditions before heading out.

A local broker’s take

Point Roberts is one of the most unusual places I deal with as a broker, a piece of Whatcom County you can only reach by driving through Canada. It is not for everyone, and I am upfront about that, but it has a devoted following and genuinely special assets like Lighthouse Marine Park and its orca watching. Buyers drawn to Point Roberts are usually after privacy, oceanfront and a slower pace, and a park like this is a big part of the draw. If you are curious about owning there, I can walk you through the realities, the border logistics, the market and the lifestyle, so you go in clear-eyed.

Good to know

Can you see orcas at Lighthouse Marine Park?

Yes, it is considered one of the best land-based spots in the region to watch orcas, thanks to its position at the tip of Point Roberts. Sightings depend on the whales and are not guaranteed, but the location is prime, especially in summer.

When is Lighthouse Marine Park open?

The park is seasonal, generally open from mid-April through October. Because it is on Point Roberts, you reach it by crossing into Canada and back, so plan ahead and bring proper identification. Confirm current dates with the county before you go.