Sumas, WA Road Trips

Sumas is an incorporated town of about 1,500 people in Whatcom Country. Cherry Street is the main north–south access for the town and the location of most businesses. There is also an industrial park to the west and residential areas around the business core. Due to somewhat primitive survey techniques when the border was monumented, much of Sumas is actually north of the 49th parallel and therefore the northernmost incorporated US community in the lower 48 states. If you have a GPS, turn it on and see for yourself.

A small monument to the victims of 9-11 can be found near the US Border Station The former US Border station is located slightly south-east of the current Canadian border post. This brick building with a hip roof was moved and converted to private use.

Sumas stages rodeo and other public events at the fairgrounds on the south edge of town.

1 El Nopal, 625 Cherry St, ☏ +1 360-988-0305. Offers authentic and reasonably prices "south of the border" Mexican meals and a full bar. (updated Mar 2023) 2 Bob's Burgers, 819 Cherry St, ☏ +1 360-988-4483. Is part of a small local chain of popular American food joints. (updated Apr 2023)

1 Sumas Mountain Lodge, 819 Cherry St, ☏ +1 360-988-4483. (updated Apr 2023) 2 Sumas RV Park & Campground, 9600 Easterbrook Rd, ☏ +1 -360-988-8875. (updated Apr 2023)

Sumas is immediately south of the Canadian border, and is at a major border crossing. See the Get in – By car section of the Northwest Washington article for details. 1 Huntingdon - Sumas (Abbotsford, BC (Highway 11) - Sumas, WA (WA-9)). 24/7. Open to all vehicles. (updated Aug 2023) 2 Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA), ☏ +1 360-676-7433. Operates public transit bus service in Whatcom County including Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, and Sumas. Also operates bus route 80X traveling north from Burlington and Mount Vernon in Skagit County to Bellingham. (updated Sep 2022) Route 71X operates from Monday to Saturday between Sumas and Bellingham. The nearest public transit stops in Abbotsford are located a few blocks from the border crossing.

Everything of interest, including the border crossing, can be easily walked to as the commercial area is two blocks wide and about 8 blocks long. Cherry Street is the main thoroughfare, terminating at Canadian customs and immigration. Signs designate a golf cart zone in town, but golf carts are never seen on the streets. Cherry Street leads directly to the border crossing, so lineups often clog it with stopped traffic. The presence of US Homeland Security staff and cameras right in this small town tends to reduce serious crime, leaving local police with little to do but enforce the varied but generally very low speed limits in Sumas. Drive slowly or be prepared to help fund the local police department.