THE DECEPTION PASS CAMPGROUND

The park is located 9 miles south of Anacortes and nine miles north of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound. Park Office: 360-675-2417

Deception Pass State Park Campground Web Site

Deception Pass is Washington's most popular State Park with around 3.5 million visitors annually. This park, originally constructed by the civilian conservation corps is large and varied enough to handle the numbers. The focal point for many visitors is the amazing Deception Pass Bridge built in 1934-35. It spans the turbulent waters of Deception Pass by leapfrogging from Fidalgo Island to Pass Island to Whidbey Island The scenery is stunning with rugged cliffs, ocean shorelines and old growth forest. The over 3500 acres are split into several parts, some connected by trails and others divided by the waters of Deception Pass. This marine and camping park offers 30 miles of hiking trails, 19 miles of saltwater shoreline, several islands, 3 freshwater lakes and 320 Campsites. Weekends are full and reservations a necessity but the park does empty dramatically during the early part of the week. The campsites in the main section of the park are arranged in 3 loops spread throughout the forest bounded by North Beach, West Beach and Cranberry Lake. The Forest Loop sites are almost completely provided with electric and water hookups. The Lower Loops, one bordered by Cranberry Lake and the other by North Beach, are mostly traditional tent sites. In general the campsites are on small side with minimal privacy but are nestled into lovely forest and many have water views. Activities include beachcombing, bird and wildlife viewing, hiking trails, fishing, swimming, and relaxing. The campground has a very family friendly sense of community. Interpretive Programs are scheduled on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer months at an amphitheater near Cranberry Lake's swimming beach.

LOCAL TRAILS Over 30 miles of hiking trails offer a wide variety of vistas and terrain from ocean shores to lake views and rocky bluffs to old growth forest. Many of the trails are connected by land but others are separated by Deception Pass. One that we enjoyed immensely is on the Bowman Bay side of the Park. From the Rosario Bay picnic area a trail climbs to the top of Rosario Head and takes you around the bluff. Other trails branch off to take you to Sharpe Cove, Bowman Bay, and beyond. At low tide the rocky ocean shores sometimes offer you the incredible treat of tide pools to explore.