Point Roberts is one of those unique geographic quirks of the United States. This small community of five square miles is located on a peninsula in western Washington, entirely cut off from the rest of the U.S.
You can only get there by driving 23 miles through Canada. Bring your passport!
Many tourists and road trippers who see Point Roberts on the map are interested in making a visit there.
What can you do in Point Roberts? The town has public parks with hiking and walking trails, a few beaches (bring your binoculars to look for orcas!), quirky attractions like a self-serve bakery box and a Rubber Duck Museum, and a few interesting shops and restaurants that convey the small-town feel.
Since covid, tourism in Point Roberts has slowed. Some places have gone out of business, and there is some worry that the town’s tourism will not survive.
Unlike some places in the world, Point Roberts is not overrun with tourists, and they actually want your business! So you can feel good about visiting and supporting the local economy.
If you’re curious about checking out this fascinating community in the Pacific Northwest, read on for everything you need to know about the logistics of visiting, as well as an in-depth list of things to do in Point Roberts, Washington!
QUICK SUMMARY: 5 Best Things To Do in Point Roberts
1 Stop at the Lighthouse Marine Park lookout and watch for orcas
2 Visit Monument Park and hike down to the water
3 Go to Lily Point Marine Park at low tide to look for bald eagles
4 See the Rubber Duck Museum at Kora’s Corner goft shop
5 Drive down Roosevelt Way (the border street)
Where is Point Roberts and How Do You Get There?
As noted, Point Roberts is in northwest Washington. It’s cut off from the U.S. mainland, and is instead connected to mainland Canada. Everything north and west of Point Roberts is Canada.
Point Roberts borders the Canadian community of Delta. You can see that Boundary Bay and the Strait of Georgia separate Point Roberts from the rest of the USA.
Based on its geography, Point Roberts should logically be part of Canada.
But the Oregon Treaty of 1846 specified that land south of the 49th parallel would belong to the United States. Thus, this tiny strip of land remains in U.S. control.
Point Roberts is a pene-enclave, meaning that it can only be reached by land by driving through another country. In that way, it’s similar to the Northwest Angle of Minnesota, the town of Hyder, Alaska, and a couple small towns in Vermont.
For the most part, the only way to get to Point Roberts is by driving into Canada, and then heading west over to the Point Roberts peninsula.
Exception: If you have a private boat, you can navigate up here from mainland Washington. Or, you can book a private charter on a tiny plane from Bellingham, Washington with San Juan Airlines and land at the small Point Roberts Airpark, which has a single grassy landing strip for visitors.
From Seattle, it’s a 2.5-hour drive north on I-5, and then northwest on Canadian route 99, before turning south. Point Roberts can be a fun road trip from Seattle!
Things To Know About Visiting Point Roberts
Point Roberts covers only five square miles, and the official population is 1191. To get here, you’ll pass through the Point Roberts-Boundary Bay Border Crossing.
It’s the westernmost border crossing in the contiguous USA, and it’s open 24 hours.
About 75% of the homes in Point Roberts are owned by Canadians. They used them as vacation homes, or to a lesser-degree, as rentals.
Point Roberts very much retains the small-town feel, with no major fast food or corporate businesses. Some businesses here have drawers for both American and Canadian cash.
Fun fact: The only school in Point Roberts only teaches K-3 students. Starting with fourth grade, students have to be bussed over to Blaine, Washington.
That means they have to pass into Canada, and then back into the U.S. to get to school. Then, at the end of the day, they do the same in reverse. That’s four border crossings everyday!
This became a problem during the peak of covid, when the USA-Canada border closed to all traffic. The government actually had to turn a whale-watching boat into a temporary ferry to get Point Roberts residents over to mainland Washington to access medical care, buy supplies, and run errands.
As for noteworthy residents, NHL coach John Tortorella used to live in Point Roberts and commute up to Vancouver when he coached the Canucks.
Actress Katee Sackhoff also lived here when she filmed Battlestar Galactica in Vancouver. And Nancy Wilson and Roger Fisher of the legendary band Heart live here while writing their debut album, Dreamboat Annie.
Things To Do in Point Roberts
Ok, you’ve made it to Point Roberts. What now? Here’s a list of the things you’ll want to consider checking out in town.
Note that some places are only open during tourist season, from spring through fall.
Border Crossing Sign
Fun photo opportunity: Just after passing through the border crossing into Point Roberts, you’ll see a sign that says “Welcome to Little America.”
Roosevelt Way
This is why you came to Point Roberts, right? Walk or drive down Roosevelt Way (there’s no sidewalk) to have a rare experience of being right on an international border.
One side of the street is the USA, and the other side is Canada!
The Rubber Duck Museum / Kora’s Corner Gift Shop
The most quirky attraction in Point Roberts is the new Rubber Duck Museum! Check out the collection of more than 2000 ducks, from new toys to classic ones.
Find this shrine to waterfowl inside Kora’s Corner, a gift shop with souvenirs, candies, household products, and more.
Point Roberts History Center
The history center is a mini-museum with exhibits about the history of the region. It’s most often open during summer weekends.
It has really in-depth signage, photos, and info about the history of the town. For instance, did you know it once had a massive Icelandic population?
Monument Park
This is a cool place for tourists to visit. Monument Park sits on the far northwest corner of Point Roberts along the border.
There’s an obelisk built in 1861 and informational signs marking the actual border between the two countries.
The park also has a trail (0.3 miles each way) through the forest leading down to the beach, and some of the best views in the area.
Lighthouse Marine Park
If you’re hoping to see orcas, head to the lookout at Lighthouse Marine Park. Located at the southern tip of the peninsula, the park is a good place to see the killer whales, which can swim past twice a day.
There’s a campground here (open April through October), and a half-mile walking path along the beach. The park covers 21 acres and also has picnic areas, fishing spots, and a children’s playground.
Lighthouse Park is part of the Whale Trail, a series of spots around Puget Sound where whales can often be spotted from shore.
You may also see harbor seals, bald eagles, and, according to the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, up to 230 species of birds.
One thing you won’t see here, despite the name, is an actual lighthouse. It was planned, but never built.
Lily Point Marine Park
Most of the Lily Point Marine Park‘s 261 acres are in the water, but you can explore the shoreline along Boundary Bay.
Walk the 0.7-mile Cedar Point Loop for elevated views from a forested hillside, or walk 0.4 miles down to the beach.
You may see starfish and other marine creatures on the beach. At low tide, bald eagles often come here to feast. Herons are also frequent visitors.
Here’s a link to check the predicted tides, so you can see when the tide will be low.
Maple Beach
The other beach in Point Roberts is Maple Beach, located on the northeastern end of the town, near the border.
Walk all the way to the northern end of the beach to see the Boundary Bay Border Marker. Take in the views of the Mount Baker peak, and look for hermit crabs and shellfish on the beach.
If you’re interested in swimming while in Point Roberts, this is perhaps the best park in which to do it!
Ollie Otter Self-Serve Bakery Box
Have you ever heard of a self-service bakery? That’s Ollie Otter! On weekends from May to October, from 9 am until sold out, drive up to this tiny pink box at 2234 Sunrise Drive and serve yourself.
Choose from a selection of cookies and treats, and submit your payment (US or Canadian dollars, or electronic payment.) What a deliciously quirky snack option!
Point Roberts Marina
It’s worth walking down here to see all the boats in the marina. Americans and Canadians keep their vessels here, as it provides easy access to the Strait of Georgia, Salish Sea, and right out to the Pacific Ocean.
Walk through the marina and fantasize about what it would be like to own one of these impressive boats!
Baker Field Park
Baker Field Park is home to several hiking trails through the forest, covering a total of about two miles.
The Enchanted Forest Trail is worth exploring, as it has gnome statues and other whimsical objects along the way. It’s about a third of a mile long.
The park also has a baseball field, basketball court, skate park. and tennis and pickleball court.
Bald Eagle Golf Club
If you feel like bringing your clubs, the Bald Eagle Golf Club offers 18 holes of golf in a forested environment with a lot of deer and bald eagles.
Formerly known as the Point Roberts Golf & Country Club, the Bald Eagle golf course has been closed for renovations, but expects to open in 2025.
Gas Stations
The town has a couple gas stations on the main road of Tyee Drive. Why should you make a point to visit a gas station?
The main reason is just for the novelty of seeing a U.S. gas station that lists its prices in liters (the Canadian measurement) rather than gallons.
They do this because so many Canadians come here to fuel up, since gas here is cheaper than in Canada. Who knew?
Point Roberts Festivals
4th of July Parade: Independence Day is the unofficial start of summer in Point Roberts. The annual 4th of July Parade is when the community and visitors come out to celebrate the holiday with classic cars, live music, and more.
Strings & Things International Music Festival: Held in mid-July, Strings & Things is an international music festival because it features American and Canadian acts.
It’s another great time to come visit the town, as enthusiasm and activity around Points Roberts are high.
Places to Eat in Point Roberts
Be sure to check the current hours of these eateries, as many are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, some are only open for dinner, and others close entirely during the winter.
Point Roberts currently has three actual restaurants, and a few other places where you can find foods.
Kiniski’s Reef Tavern: The most popular place to eat in Point Roberts, Kiniski’s serves up hearty burgers, chicken, and seafood each evening, and all day on weekends.
Fun fact: Owner Nick Kiniski was a professional wrestler who sometimes appeared on TV for the WWE in the ’80s. He had some great matches with Randy “Macho Man” Savage!
Saltwater Cafe: Saltwater Cafe offers salads, sandwiches, and a rotating selection of daily specials. The prices are good, and the ingredients are quality.
Pier Restaurant: Just opened in summer 2024, the Pier Restaurant is located near the marina. It’s run by the folks from Saltwater Cafe. Dishes here are a bit more upscale and pricy.
Ollie Otter Bakery: As mentioned above, the local favorite Ollie Otter Bakery offers baked goods on summer weekends.
The Shell Center: The Shell gas station used to have pizza, ice cream, and coffee, but, sadly, these days they only have a few snacks, like chips and candy bars.
Friday Night Outdoor Market: During the summer, pick up fresh produce and homemade crafts on the west lawn of Point Roberts Marina from 4 to 7 pm.
International Marketplace: The town’s only grocery store, International Marketplace (open 9 am to 7 pm daily) has everything you’d find in any grocery store anywhere.
If you’re planning an extended stay in Point Roberts, or visiting on Monday and Tuesday (when restaurants are usually closed), stop by the grocery and stock up on meals. They have a surprisingly good hot foods bar with soup and fried chicken.
Lodging Options: Where to Stay in Point Roberts
Ocean View Villa: There aren’t any traditional hotels in Point Roberts, but Ocean View Villa is the next best thing.
It’s a beautiful, modern retreat offering affordable private rooms, with shared bathrooms, living room, and a kitchen if you’d like to cook your own meals. Children and pets are not allowed.
I stayed at Ocean View Villa and had a good experience. The property is very nice.
A Frame Cottage Vacation Home: The uniquely-shaped A-Frame Cottage Vacation Home offers a chance to stay in a fully furnished, 2-bedroom home in the heart of town.
Camping: Lighthouse Marine Park: If you’ve got a tent, Lighthouse Marine Park is the most affordable overnight option.
From April to October, campsites are available starting at $23/night. Lots of families with young kids stay here, so don’t expect a quiet, serene environment.
Sunny Point RV Resort Park: Park your vehicle at Sunny Point RV Resort for $65/night. The park has electric hookups, shower facilities, and it’s within walking distance to cafes and restaurants.
Coast Tsawwassen Inn: If you prefer to stay nearby in Canada, the best hotel is the Coast Tsawwassen Inn. It’s only 10 minutes by car from the Point Roberts border crossing, and it features gorgeous rooms, a fitness center, a bar, and free wifi.
Additional Activities in Nearby Canadian Cities
Looking for more things to do near Point Roberts? Then you’ll have to cross the border into British Columbia! Here’s a shortlist of fun activities on the Canadian side, within driving distance of Point Roberts.
Tsawwassen, BC
Like Point Roberts, the Canadian community of Tsawwassen has several parks and beaches. It’s also the home of the Tsawwassen Mills outlet mall, and the Big Splash Water Park.
Richmond Night Market
The city of Richmond has plenty to do, but it may be best-known to visitors for its Night Market.
Open weekends from April to October, the market has hundreds of food vendors, with Asian foods of all types, plus American, Mexican, and other cuisines.
They also have games and crafts. The market is just 30 minutes from Point Roberts.
Vancouver
Vancouver, BC is one of the coolest cities in North America, and it’s only a 50-minute drive from Point Roberts.
The city has attractions like Stanley Park, Granville Island Public Market, Kitsilano Beach, the Orpheum concert and symphony venue, and the Vancouver Lookout viewing deck in Downtown Vancouver.
See our Vancouver travel tips and our photos of Vancouver area attractions.
For more local advice on the small town of Point Roberts, you can always check the local subreddit.
Looking for more activities in the state of Washington and the Seattle area? Check out our guide to visiting Whidbey Island, the famous Gum Wall at Pike Place, our neighborhood guides to Pioneer Square and Capitol Hill, and a list of the best guided tours in Seattle.
