RV Parks In Point Roberts, Washington
48.9854° N, 123.0780° W
Quick Overview
Point Roberts is one of the strangest and most charming places you can take an RV in Washington, and you need to understand its geography before you go. It's a U.S. exclave, the tip of a peninsula that hangs down below the Canadian border, which means you cannot reach it by land from the rest of Washington without driving through Canada. Getting there involves two border crossings each way and a passport, so it's a deliberate destination, not a casual stop, but the payoff is a quiet, scenic corner with shore-based orca watching.
There are just two places to camp. Lighthouse Marine Park, a public Whatcom County park at the peninsula's southwest tip, is the main and most scenic option, with 30 no-hookup RV and tent sites, a dump station, restrooms, and coin showers, for rigs up to 35 feet. It's open April 1 to October 31, reservations open December 1 for the following season, and it's famous for orca watching, driftwood beaches, and Georgia Strait sunsets. For a year-round stay with hookups, Sunny Point RV Resort is the private option in the community.
One practical note: there is no RV septic service on the point, so plan your tank management around the border crossings, and reserve through Whatcom County.
The payoff is genuine: some of the only shore-based orca watching in the Northwest at Lighthouse Marine Park, quiet beaches and the trails of Lily Point, and Vancouver, BC, just an hour away. It's a quirky, peaceful, one-of-a-kind RV destination for travelers who like their spots genuinely off the map. Nowhere else in the Lower 48 do you camp on American soil that you can only reach by leaving and re-entering the country, and that novelty, paired with the whales and the quiet, is exactly why the people who make the trip tend to remember it.
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All Dump Stations Near Point Roberts
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunny Point Resort | 0.0 mi | 3.8 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Lighthouse Marine Park | 0.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Tsawwassen RV Resort | 3.3 mi | 2.8 | RV Park | Free |
| Girl Guides Of Canada - Woodward's Landing Campground | 9.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Peace Arch RV Park | 13.4 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Central Estates | 14.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Thousand Trails Birch Bay | 15.4 mi | 3.9 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Pacific Border RV Park | 15.5 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Ball Bay View RV Park | 15.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Hazelmere RV | 17.2 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
Sunny Point Resort
0.0 miLighthouse Marine Park
0.8 miTsawwassen RV Resort
3.3 miGirl Guides Of Canada - Woodward's Landing Campground
9.3 miPeace Arch RV Park
13.4 miCentral Estates
14.3 miThousand Trails Birch Bay
15.4 miPacific Border RV Park
15.5 miBall Bay View RV Park
15.8 miHazelmere RV
17.2 miTraveling to Point Roberts by RV
The geography is the whole story here, so plan for it. Point Roberts sits at the tip of a peninsula below the 49th parallel, cut off from the U.S. mainland by Canada. To reach it by land, you take I-5 in Washington to the Peace Arch border at Blaine, cross into British Columbia, drive about 25 miles through Canada (BC-99 to BC-17 to 56th Street), then cross back into the U.S. at the Point Roberts crossing, with the town 2.5 miles beyond. That's two border crossings each way, every trip on and off the point, and every one requires a passport or approved document.
Build border-crossing time into everything, and check current wait times before you go. Services on the point are minimal: there's a small market and limited fuel, but you should do major grocery, propane, and supply runs in Canada (Tsawwassen is minutes away and has full shopping) or back in Washington before crossing. Crucially, there is no RV septic service in Point Roberts, so manage your holding tanks around the crossings and use the Lighthouse Marine Park dump station while you're there.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Point Roberts, Washington, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Point Roberts
Camping costs on Point Roberts are straightforward, but the trip has some unusual budget factors. Lighthouse Marine Park charges standard Whatcom County park rates for its no-hookup sites, a reasonable price for a spectacular waterfront county park, though it's seasonal (April to October) and its 30 sites book up for summer weekends once reservations open on December 1. Sunny Point RV Resort, the private year-round option, is priced as a typical small RV park and is your choice outside the county-park season.
The real budget considerations are logistical rather than the site fees. Factor in fuel for the roughly 25-mile drive through Canada each way and the two border crossings, and plan to buy groceries, propane, and supplies in Tsawwassen or Washington, since the point's small market carries limited selection at higher prices. There are no camping tolls or entry fees for the crossings themselves, but the detour through Canada adds mileage. Overall, camping here is affordably priced; it's the border logistics and limited local services, not the site cost, that shape the trip.
Contact station for pricing details.
Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
What RVers Are Saying About Point Roberts
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Best Time to Visit Point Roberts by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
36F - 45F
Crowds: Low
Cool, wet, and gray maritime winter. Lighthouse Marine Park is closed (it runs April to October), so winter camping is limited to the year-round Sunny Point RV Resort. Quiet and moody, but plan around the closed county park and short daylight.
Spring
Mar - May
42F - 56F
Crowds: Low
Cool and often wet, greening up. Lighthouse Marine Park opens April 1, making it a quiet shoulder season before summer, with fewer visitors and easier reservations, though the weather is still changeable and the water cold.
Summer
Jun - Aug
54F - 70F
Crowds: Medium
The prime season. Mild, dry, pleasant days, long daylight, cool ocean breezes, and shore-based orca watching at Lighthouse Marine Park. The county park's 30 sites book up for summer weekends, so reserve early.
Fall
Sep - Oct
44F - 58F
Crowds: Low
Cool and increasingly wet, with Lighthouse Marine Park open through October 31. Quiet, moody coastal scenery and few visitors, a peaceful time if you don't mind the changeable weather and the county park closing at month's end.
Explore the Point Roberts Area
Understand the border reality first, because it shapes the whole trip. Point Roberts is a U.S. exclave you reach by driving through Canada, with two border crossings each way, so everyone in your rig needs a passport or approved crossing document, and you should check current border wait times before each leg. It's a wonderful, quirky destination, but it rewards planning.
Pick your campground by season. Lighthouse Marine Park, the scenic county park at the southwest tip, is open only April 1 to October 31, has no hookups but does have a dump station, and takes rigs up to 35 feet, with reservations opening December 1 for the following year. For a year-round stay or if you want hookups, Sunny Point RV Resort is the private option. Remember there's no RV septic service anywhere on the point, so plan tank management around your crossings.
Come in summer for the best of it: mild, dry weather and shore-based orca watching at Lighthouse Marine Park, one of the few places in the Northwest to see whales from land. Do your major shopping, fuel, and propane in Tsawwassen, Canada, or back in Washington, since the point's services are minimal, and leave time to explore Lily Point Marine Park and pop up to Vancouver, only about an hour north.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Point Roberts
How do I even get to Point Roberts with an RV?
You drive through Canada, because Point Roberts is a U.S. exclave with no land connection to the rest of the United States. From Washington, you take I-5 to the Peace Arch border crossing at Blaine, enter British Columbia, drive about 25 miles through Canada via BC-99, BC-17, and 56th Street, then cross back into the U.S. at the Point Roberts border station, with the town 2.5 miles further. That means two border crossings each direction, four round trip, and every crossing requires a passport or approved document for everyone in the vehicle. It's entirely doable in an RV, but you must plan for the border logistics and check current wait times, since this is what makes Point Roberts unique and a bit involved to reach.
Do I need a passport to camp in Point Roberts?
Yes, everyone in your RV needs a passport or an approved border-crossing document, because reaching Point Roberts by land requires passing through Canada and back into the U.S. You'll cross the border twice getting there and twice leaving, and each crossing is a formal international border check. This applies to all travelers, including children per current rules, so make sure every passport is valid and packed before you leave. It's also worth carrying your vehicle registration and insurance and being ready for standard border questions. The crossings are usually routine, but without proper documents you simply cannot reach the point, so this is non-negotiable trip planning.
Where can I camp on Point Roberts?
There are two options, and only two, on this small exclave. Lighthouse Marine Park, a Whatcom County park at the peninsula's southwest tip, is the main and most scenic, with 30 RV and tent sites (no hookups), a dump station, restrooms, and coin showers, for rigs up to 35 feet. It's open April 1 through October 31, and reservations open December 1 for the following season. Sunny Point RV Resort is the private, year-round option with hookups, useful outside the county park's season or when you want full services. There is no dispersed camping anywhere on the point. So plan to book one of these two, ideally the county park for its waterfront setting and orca watching if you're visiting in season.
Does Lighthouse Marine Park have hookups?
No, Lighthouse Marine Park has no hookups at its sites, but it does have a dump station, restrooms, and a coin-operated shower, and it accommodates rigs up to 35 feet. So you'll dry-camp there, arriving with full fresh water and managing your power, which is a fine trade for its spectacular waterfront location and orca watching. If you need hookups, Sunny Point RV Resort, the private park, is your option and is open year-round. Importantly, note that there is no RV septic service available anywhere in Point Roberts, so use the Lighthouse Marine Park dump station and plan your tank management around your border crossings, since you can't rely on local septic pumping.
When is the best time to visit Point Roberts?
Summer, roughly July through September, is the prime season and also when the main campground is open and at its best. Pacific Northwest summers here are mild, dry, and pleasant, rarely hot, with long daylight, cool ocean breezes, and the big draw of shore-based orca watching at Lighthouse Marine Park. It's the busiest time, so reserve the county park's 30 sites early. Spring and fall are quiet, cool, and often wet shoulder seasons, with Lighthouse Marine Park open April 1 through October 31. Winter is cool, gray, and wet, and the county park is closed, leaving only the year-round private RV park. For the full experience, come in summer.
Can I see orcas from Point Roberts?
Yes, and it's one of the main reasons to go. The waters off Point Roberts lie on the route of the region's resident and transient orcas, and Lighthouse Marine Park is one of the few places in the Northwest where you can watch whales from shore, with an interpretive whale center at the park. Summer is the best season for sightings, when the orcas follow salmon through the Georgia Strait, though wildlife is never guaranteed on any given day. Even without whales, you'll likely see seals, bald eagles, and seabirds, plus stunning sunsets over the water. Bring binoculars, be patient, and check with the park for recent sighting reports. It's a genuinely special shore-based whale-watching spot.
Are there hookups and services on the point?
Services are minimal, so plan ahead. Sunny Point RV Resort offers hookups, but Lighthouse Marine Park does not (it has a dump station only), and crucially there is no RV septic pumping service anywhere on the point. The community has a small market for basics and limited fuel, but no real RV repair and limited propane. Because Tsawwassen, Canada, with full shopping is only minutes away across the border, and Washington is a short drive beyond, the smart approach is to do your major grocery, fuel, and propane runs off the point before crossing in. Arrive stocked and with empty holding tanks, and manage everything around your border crossings, since you can't count on local services.
Is Point Roberts good for big rigs?
Only up to a point, literally. Lighthouse Marine Park accommodates rigs up to 35 feet, so larger motorhomes and long fifth-wheels may not fit its sites, and you'd need to confirm space at Sunny Point RV Resort for a bigger rig. The roads on the point and through Canada are fine for RVs, and the border crossings handle them routinely, but the whole trip involves multiple crossings and limited turnaround and service options, which is more manageable in a mid-size rig or van. Big-rig owners can absolutely visit, but should verify site lengths, plan the border logistics carefully, and be comfortable dry-camping and self-servicing. For many, a smaller rig or van makes this quirky destination easier to enjoy.
What else is there to do in Point Roberts?
It's a small, peaceful place, and that's the appeal, but there's enough for a relaxing few days. Beyond orca watching and the driftwood beaches at Lighthouse Marine Park, Lily Point Marine Park on the southeast corner is a lovely preserve with bluff-top trails, tidal flats, and eagles. You can walk the quiet beaches, watch sunsets over the Georgia Strait, and enjoy the slow pace. Just across the border, Tsawwassen offers shopping and dining, and greater Vancouver, a world-class city with beaches, mountains, Stanley Park, and Granville Island, is only about an hour north, making a great day trip (passport required). So you get both remote-island quiet and a major city within easy reach.
Is it worth the hassle of the border crossings?
For the right traveler, absolutely. If you want a conventional, easy RV stop, the double border crossings and limited services make Point Roberts more trouble than a typical coastal park. But if you're drawn to unusual, off-the-map places, it's genuinely unique: a quiet American exclave dangling below Canada, with shore-based orca watching, empty beaches, big-sky sunsets, and Vancouver an hour away. The quirk is the appeal. Travelers who enjoy the novelty of the geography, don't mind planning around the crossings, and are comfortable dry-camping and self-servicing tend to love it. Come with a passport, a stocked rig, and a flexible attitude, and Point Roberts rewards you with a camping experience you can't get anywhere else.
What are the border crossings actually like?
Usually routine, but treat them seriously and plan for them. You'll clear Canadian customs entering British Columbia and then U.S. customs entering Point Roberts, and reverse both leaving, so four crossings round trip. Have passports ready for everyone, know what you're carrying, and be aware of restrictions on bringing certain foods, alcohol, cannabis, and firearms across each border, since rules differ between Canada and the U.S. and apply each way. Wait times are typically short at the small Point Roberts crossing but can be longer at Peace Arch during busy periods, so check current times before you go. Be polite, answer questions directly, and the crossings are generally quick and hassle-free for prepared travelers.
Can I make a day trip to Vancouver from Point Roberts?
Yes, easily, and many visitors do. Greater Vancouver is only about an hour north of Point Roberts by road through British Columbia, and Tsawwassen, with shopping and the BC Ferries terminal, is just minutes across the border. So you can base your RV on the quiet point and day-trip into one of the world's most scenic cities for its beaches, Stanley Park, Granville Island, dining, and mountains. Remember every trip off and onto the point involves border crossings, so carry your passport and check wait times, and consider taking the tow vehicle rather than the RV into the city for easier parking. It's a rare chance to pair remote-exclave camping with a world-class urban day out.
How do I even get to Point Roberts with an RV?
You drive through Canada, because Point Roberts is a U.S. exclave with no land connection to the rest of the United States. From Washington, you take I-5 to the Peace Arch border crossing at Blaine, enter British Columbia, drive about 25 miles through Canada via BC-99, BC-17, and 56th Street, then cross back into the U.S. at the Point Roberts border station, with the town 2.5 miles further. That means two border crossings each direction, four round trip, and every crossing requires a passport or approved document for everyone in the vehicle. It's entirely doable in an RV, but you must plan for the border logistics and check current wait times, since this is what makes Point Roberts unique and a bit involved to reach.
Do I need a passport to camp in Point Roberts?
Yes, everyone in your RV needs a passport or an approved border-crossing document, because reaching Point Roberts by land requires passing through Canada and back into the U.S. You'll cross the border twice getting there and twice leaving, and each crossing is a formal international border check. This applies to all travelers, including children per current rules, so make sure every passport is valid and packed before you leave. It's also worth carrying your vehicle registration and insurance and being ready for standard border questions. The crossings are usually routine, but without proper documents you simply cannot reach the point, so this is non-negotiable trip planning.
Where can I camp on Point Roberts?
There are two options, and only two, on this small exclave. Lighthouse Marine Park, a Whatcom County park at the peninsula's southwest tip, is the main and most scenic, with 30 RV and tent sites (no hookups), a dump station, restrooms, and coin showers, for rigs up to 35 feet. It's open April 1 through October 31, and reservations open December 1 for the following season. Sunny Point RV Resort is the private, year-round option with hookups, useful outside the county park's season or when you want full services. There is no dispersed camping anywhere on the point. So plan to book one of these two, ideally the county park for its waterfront setting and orca watching if you're visiting in season.
Does Lighthouse Marine Park have hookups?
No, Lighthouse Marine Park has no hookups at its sites, but it does have a dump station, restrooms, and a coin-operated shower, and it accommodates rigs up to 35 feet. So you'll dry-camp there, arriving with full fresh water and managing your power, which is a fine trade for its spectacular waterfront location and orca watching. If you need hookups, Sunny Point RV Resort, the private park, is your option and is open year-round. Importantly, note that there is no RV septic service available anywhere in Point Roberts, so use the Lighthouse Marine Park dump station and plan your tank management around your border crossings, since you can't rely on local septic pumping.
When is the best time to visit Point Roberts?
Summer, roughly July through September, is the prime season and also when the main campground is open and at its best. Pacific Northwest summers here are mild, dry, and pleasant, rarely hot, with long daylight, cool ocean breezes, and the big draw of shore-based orca watching at Lighthouse Marine Park. It's the busiest time, so reserve the county park's 30 sites early. Spring and fall are quiet, cool, and often wet shoulder seasons, with Lighthouse Marine Park open April 1 through October 31. Winter is cool, gray, and wet, and the county park is closed, leaving only the year-round private RV park. For the full experience, come in summer.
Can I see orcas from Point Roberts?
Yes, and it's one of the main reasons to go. The waters off Point Roberts lie on the route of the region's resident and transient orcas, and Lighthouse Marine Park is one of the few places in the Northwest where you can watch whales from shore, with an interpretive whale center at the park. Summer is the best season for sightings, when the orcas follow salmon through the Georgia Strait, though wildlife is never guaranteed on any given day. Even without whales, you'll likely see seals, bald eagles, and seabirds, plus stunning sunsets over the water. Bring binoculars, be patient, and check with the park for recent sighting reports. It's a genuinely special shore-based whale-watching spot.
Are there hookups and services on the point?
Services are minimal, so plan ahead. Sunny Point RV Resort offers hookups, but Lighthouse Marine Park does not (it has a dump station only), and crucially there is no RV septic pumping service anywhere on the point. The community has a small market for basics and limited fuel, but no real RV repair and limited propane. Because Tsawwassen, Canada, with full shopping is only minutes away across the border, and Washington is a short drive beyond, the smart approach is to do your major grocery, fuel, and propane runs off the point before crossing in. Arrive stocked and with empty holding tanks, and manage everything around your border crossings, since you can't count on local services.
Is Point Roberts good for big rigs?
Only up to a point, literally. Lighthouse Marine Park accommodates rigs up to 35 feet, so larger motorhomes and long fifth-wheels may not fit its sites, and you'd need to confirm space at Sunny Point RV Resort for a bigger rig. The roads on the point and through Canada are fine for RVs, and the border crossings handle them routinely, but the whole trip involves multiple crossings and limited turnaround and service options, which is more manageable in a mid-size rig or van. Big-rig owners can absolutely visit, but should verify site lengths, plan the border logistics carefully, and be comfortable dry-camping and self-servicing. For many, a smaller rig or van makes this quirky destination easier to enjoy.
What else is there to do in Point Roberts?
It's a small, peaceful place, and that's the appeal, but there's enough for a relaxing few days. Beyond orca watching and the driftwood beaches at Lighthouse Marine Park, Lily Point Marine Park on the southeast corner is a lovely preserve with bluff-top trails, tidal flats, and eagles. You can walk the quiet beaches, watch sunsets over the Georgia Strait, and enjoy the slow pace. Just across the border, Tsawwassen offers shopping and dining, and greater Vancouver, a world-class city with beaches, mountains, Stanley Park, and Granville Island, is only about an hour north, making a great day trip (passport required). So you get both remote-island quiet and a major city within easy reach.
Is it worth the hassle of the border crossings?
For the right traveler, absolutely. If you want a conventional, easy RV stop, the double border crossings and limited services make Point Roberts more trouble than a typical coastal park. But if you're drawn to unusual, off-the-map places, it's genuinely unique: a quiet American exclave dangling below Canada, with shore-based orca watching, empty beaches, big-sky sunsets, and Vancouver an hour away. The quirk is the appeal. Travelers who enjoy the novelty of the geography, don't mind planning around the crossings, and are comfortable dry-camping and self-servicing tend to love it. Come with a passport, a stocked rig, and a flexible attitude, and Point Roberts rewards you with a camping experience you can't get anywhere else.
What are the border crossings actually like?
Usually routine, but treat them seriously and plan for them. You'll clear Canadian customs entering British Columbia and then U.S. customs entering Point Roberts, and reverse both leaving, so four crossings round trip. Have passports ready for everyone, know what you're carrying, and be aware of restrictions on bringing certain foods, alcohol, cannabis, and firearms across each border, since rules differ between Canada and the U.S. and apply each way. Wait times are typically short at the small Point Roberts crossing but can be longer at Peace Arch during busy periods, so check current times before you go. Be polite, answer questions directly, and the crossings are generally quick and hassle-free for prepared travelers.
Can I make a day trip to Vancouver from Point Roberts?
Yes, easily, and many visitors do. Greater Vancouver is only about an hour north of Point Roberts by road through British Columbia, and Tsawwassen, with shopping and the BC Ferries terminal, is just minutes across the border. So you can base your RV on the quiet point and day-trip into one of the world's most scenic cities for its beaches, Stanley Park, Granville Island, dining, and mountains. Remember every trip off and onto the point involves border crossings, so carry your passport and check wait times, and consider taking the tow vehicle rather than the RV into the city for easier parking. It's a rare chance to pair remote-exclave camping with a world-class urban day out.
Are there free dump stations in Point Roberts?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Point Roberts.
All Dump Stations Near Point Roberts (87)
RV ParkSunny Point Resort
RV ParkLighthouse Marine Park
RV Park with Dump StationsTsawwassen RV Resort
RV ParkGirl Guides Of Canada - Woodward's Landing Campground
RV ParkCentral Estates
RV ParkPeace Arch RV Park
RV ParkDiscover Camping
RV Park





