Deception Pass State Park

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Construction notice: 

Starting Spring 2019, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin a two-year project to repair, restore and repaint the Deception Pass Bridge and Canoe Pass Bridge. Visitors should expect increased traffic and construction noise.

More info.

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Deception Pass is Washington's most-visited state park for a reason. Mysterious coves, rugged cliffs, jaw-dropping sunsets, and a stomach-dropping high bridge make this park a go-to for locals and international travelers alike.

Families can fish and swim in Cranberry Lake. Beach explorers look for shells along miles of Puget Sound beachfront. Hikers can trek through forests and out along bluffs. And birdwatchers fill their field guides with notes. You may see a whale or a family of seals as you gaze on the wild waters that once challenged early explorers.

Your inner explorer will delight in learning Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) history at Bowman Bay. The CCC was Franklin D. Roosevelt's Depression-era "Tree Army;" it employed nearly 3 million men and built many of America's state and national parks. An extended stay at Deception Pass will have you peering into tide pools at Rosario Beach, boating at Cornet Bay, strolling on North and West beaches and gaping up at Hoypus Forest, one of Washington's largest remaining old-growth stands.

You, your family and your out-of-town guests will be awestruck by the area's beauty and history, and you'll soon be planning your return.

Park features
Deception Pass State Park spreads over 3,854 acres, a marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. The park is actually located on two islands — Fidalgo to the north and Whidbey to the south. The Canoe Pass and Deception Pass bridges connect the two islands, creating a gateway for exploration.

Kukutali Preserve on Kiket Island is the newest state park property at Deception Pass. Co-owned and co-managed by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Washington State Parks, this area welcomes visitors to bask in its old-growth forest, which ends at stunning views of Fidalgo, Hope, and Skagit islands. Flagstaff Point beyond a neck of land is off-limits to people, to protect a rare environment called a "rocky bald," which supports fragile native plant communities. Pets are not allowed in any area of the preserve.

Automated pay stations: This park is equipped with automated pay stations for visitors to purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass and boat launch permit.

 Please note: U.S. Navy jets from nearby Naval Air Station Whidbey Island periodically fly over the campground while engaged in local training. Depending on the direction of the wind, their flight pattern may put them above the park, creating noisy conditions for campers. At various times during the day and night, the aviators may engage in Field Carrier Landing Practice for imminent operations aboard aircraft carriers. The park and naval station have been neighbors since 1942, and park staff stays in regular contact with officials at NAS Whidbey Island. We will do our best to notify campers of anticipated Field Carrier Landing Practice periods. Although State Parks cannot be responsible for the jet noise, we do share visitor concerns with our representatives of Naval Air Station Whidbey.

  1. Activities
  2. Boating
  3. Camping
  4. History
  5. Maps
  6. Video

ADA amenities/facilities

  • Campground
  • Hiking trail
  • Restroom
  • Picnic area

Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities.

Picnic & day-use facilities

The park provides five kitchen shelters with electricity and six without, all of which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Fifty sheltered and 261 unsheltered picnic tables are also provided. Picnic tables are first come, first served, but kitchen shelters are reservable.

Activities

Trails

  • 1.2 miles of ADA hiking trails
  • 3 miles of bike trails
  • 6 miles of horse trails
  • 38 miles of hiking trails

The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT) is a 1,200-mile-long footpath through some of the most spectacular and scenic terrain in the United States. It stretches between the shores of the Pacific Ocean in the Olympic National Park and the Rocky Mountains in Montana, connecting the varied landscapes and communities of the Pacific Northwest.

In Deception Pass State Park, you can climb the PNT to enjoy sweeping views from the summit of Goose Rock or explore nearly ten miles of the trail system. You might be inspired to visit the PNT in four other Washington state parks, or even to see it all! Every year, adventurous backpackers from around the world attempt to walk the entire trail. In summer, these thru-hikers will spend an evening camping in the state park before continuing on their long-distance journeys. To plan your trip on the Pacific Northwest Trail, visit at www.pnt.org.

Water activities & features

  • 450 feet of dock
  • 710 feet of dock
  • 1,980 feet of moorage
  • Boating (freshwater/saltwater)
  • Crabbing
  • Diving
  • Fishing (freshwater/saltwater)
  • Swimming
  • Watercraft launches (5)
  • White-water kayaking

Concessions:  

  • Anacortes Kayak Tours offers tours from April through September. They are located in the parking lot of the Bowman Bay boat launch. For additional information and tours, visit online.  
  • Interested in seeing things from above the ground? Old-Growth Tree Climbing by AdvnetureTerra offers canopy climbing adventure tours from April through September. They are located in the parking lot of the Bowman Bay boat launch. For additional information and tours, visit online.

Other activities & features

  • Amphitheaters (2)
  • Beach exploration
  • Bird watching
  • Fire circles (6)
  • Horseshoe pit
  • Interpretive center
  • Mountain biking
  • Sailboarding
  • Wildlife viewing
Interpretive opportunities

The Civilian Conservation Corps Interpretive Center is located in the Bowman Bay area of the park. The center was originally a bathhouse built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. In 1987, the building was renovated into a museum by CCC alumni and Washington State Parks staff. The center’s exhibits tell the incredible story of the CCC’s work across the state of Washington during the Great Depression. 

The center is free-of-charge and is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. mid-May through Labor Day. Group tours and off-season visits can be arranged by calling (360) 675-3767.

The Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail at West Beach includes an observation deck and signage that explains local vegetation and ecosystems. The Maiden of Deception Pass story pole is located in the Rosario Beach area of the park. The carving depicts the story of Ko-Kwal-alwoot, a culturally important legend of the Samish Indian Nation.

Junior Ranger and other educational programs are offered mid-May through Labor Day at the park’s amphitheater. A schedule of planned events is posted at the ranger contact station.

Additional information

  • A playground is available in the park.
  • To prevent serious accidents, hikers are encouraged to stay on main trails and avoid straying to the sides.
  • Mountain biking is prohibited except in marked areas.
  • Fires and swimming are permitted in designated areas only.
  • A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information, or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
  • Printable park brochure (PDF).