Deception Pass State Park spans the north tip of Whidbey Island and the south edge of Fidalgo Island in Washington state, across a narrow waterway connecting the Puget Sound to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It has over 4,100 acres (1,700 hectares) of forest, beaches, campsites, trails, and scenic vistas of the San Juan Islands, Victoria (British Columbia, Canada), and Mount Baker. It is one of the most visited Washington state parks, with over two million annual visitors.
This article also includes Hope Island and Skagit Island, two separate Washington Marine State Parks just offshore.
Understand
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Deception Pass is the waterway between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, where the tidal flow between Skagit Bay and the Strait of Juan de Fuca moves quickly, making the passage dangerous for watercraft. During low tides, the swift current can lead to standing waves, large whirlpools, and roiling eddies. This swift current phenomenon can be viewed from the twin bridges' pedestrian walkways, or from the trail leading below the larger south bridge on the Whidbey Island side. Boats can be seen waiting on either side of the pass for the current to stop or change direction before going through.
Orientation
[edit]Deception Pass divides the park into two main sections, on each side of the Deception Pass Bridge.
- The Whidbey Island side, south of the pass, features expansive beaches, most of the campgrounds, and the park administration facilities.
- The Fidalgo Island side, north of the pass, features rocky coastlines with tidepools and hiking trails.
There are several islands immediately offshore. Some of these are formally part of the park, some of these are protected under separate entities.
- Ben Ure Island is within the park.
- Hope Island is a separate Marine State Park.
- Skagit Island is a separate Marine State Park.
History
[edit]The Deception Pass area has been home to various Coast Salish tribes for thousands of years.
The first Europeans to see Deception Pass were members of the 1790 expedition of Manuel Quimper. The Spanish gave it the name Boca de Flon. In May 1792, the Vancouver Expedition was anchored near the southern end of Whidbey Island. He sent Joseph Whidbey to explore the waters east of Whidbey Island, now known as Saratoga Passage, using small boats. Whidbey reached the northern end of Saratoga Passage and explored eastward into Skagit Bay, which is shallow and difficult to navigate, and appeared to be a dead-end. He returned south to rejoin Vancouver without having found Deception Pass. In June, the expedition sailed north along the west coast of Whidbey Island. Vancouver again sent Joseph Whidbey to explore inlets leading to the east. The first inlet turned out to be a "very narrow and intricate channel, which...abounded with rocks above and beneath the surface of the water". This channel led to Skagit Bay, thus separating Whidbey Island from the mainland. Vancouver apparently felt they had been deceived by the tricky strait, describing it as "Deception Passage".
A ferry was established by 1916 to connect Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. It was discontinued in 1935, when the 976 ft (297 m) Deception Pass Bridge opened, connecting Whidbey Island to the tiny Pass Island, and Pass Island to Fidalgo.
The park was established in 1923, when the original 1,600 acres (650 hectares) of a military reserve was transferred to Washington State Parks. The park's facilities were improved in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which built roads, trails, and buildings. The road to West Beach was created in 1950, opening the beach to vehicles. The former fish hatchery at Bowman Bay became a part of the park in the early 1970s.
Landscape
[edit]The area around Deception Pass is an exposed ophiolite, a piece of oceanic tectonic plate and mantle that was once several miles under the ocean, but is now exposed on land. The Fidalgo ophiolite formed more than 140 million years ago, during the Jurassic period. Many of the rocks here are from the middle of the crust, including lavas that erupted onto the ocean floor and gabbro formed when magma cooled underground. On the shoreline of Fidalgo Island, near Lottie and Bowman Bays, are seafloor sediments that settled on top of the lavas and became mudstones and sandstones. Much later, during the last ice age, glaciers carved striking peaks and sheer cliffs. On Goose Rock, the glacier dragged cobbles and boulders along its base, scratching deep grooves into the rock and recording the direction of its movement.
Flora and fauna
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Deception Pass is a regional hotspot for marine wildlife viewing. Elephant seals, porpoises, orcas, and whales are frequently spotted from its various beaches and bluffs.
The park safeguards some of the last remaining original forested shorelines in the Salish Sea. Trees include alder, big-leaf maple, Douglas fir, grand fir, western red-cedar, hemlock and Sitka spruce. You will also find madrone, a distinctive favorite twisting tree with peeling red bark.
A little further inland, the dry upland forests feature Douglas fir, often with lichen hanging from its branches. Wildflowers are abundant in winter and spring, and mosses and ferns carpet the ground year-round. Common shrubs include snowberry, salal, ocean spray, Oregon grape, Nootka rose, and thimbleberry. The wetlands near the lakes include salmonberry, red elderberry, Nootka rose, Pacific willow, sedges and rushes, nettles, swordfern, and skunk cabbage.
Climate
[edit]Like the rest of the Western Washington, Deception Pass has cool, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. It is slightly drier than the major Puget Sound cities, as it is more rainshadowed by the Olympic Mountains.
Visitor Information
[edit]- Park website
- Park hours: 6:30AM to dusk April through September, 8AM to dusk October through March.
- 1 Park Administration Offices (Ranger Station), 41020 State Route 20, Oak Harbor.
Get in
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State Route 20 (WA-20) is the main route to and through the park. The route connects Whidbey Island to the mainlined by the Deception Pass Bridge. The nominally east-west WA-20 actually runs roughly north-south through this area, with nominal "east" being roughly north.
- 1 Main Entrance, 41229 State Route 20, Oak Harbor. Entrance station for most car-accessible places on Whidbey Island, including the Cranberry Lake and North Beach areas. Discover Passes sold here.
By car
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From Interstate 5, you can access WA-20 and the park by:
- Exit 230 at Burlington for WA-20 West, and turning left at the roundabout at the entrance to Anacortes.
- Exit 182 north of Lynnwood for WA-525 North, taking the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry, and driving through Whidbey Island.
By bus
[edit]- Island Transit, ☏ +1 360-678-7771. Scheduled bus services on Whidbey Island and Camano Island. Service on Whidbey Island includes to Clinton, Coupeville, Freeland, Greenbank, Langley, Oak Harbor with off island connections to Anacortes. Service on Camano Island includes off island connections to Everett and Mount Vernon. Free.
- Island Transit 411W connects Oak Harbor to March's Point P&R (near Anacortes). It stops at the Deception Pass Park Entrance. This route connects to other Oak Harbor routes and the Skagit Transit 40X to Mount Vernon Skagit Station.
Fees and permits
[edit]There are no fees or restrictions to drive along WA-20, including across the Deception Pass Bridge.
The rest of the park, like other Washington State Parks, requires a pass to park at or access. The Discover Pass is $10 a day, or $30 a year. You can purchase a Discover Pass at the main park entrance. You can also order online, buy from an outdoors retailer, or pick up from a kiosk at the entrance to many other popular state parks.
Get around
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The Fidalgo Island (north) side is mostly along WA-20. There are numerous places to park along the road. While the road itself is not particularly walkable, it is paralleled by scenic hiking trails.
The Whidbey Island (south) side is served by both WA-20 and a network of smaller roads extending from the Main Entrance gate.
The Deception Pass Bridge has a narrow sidewalk on each side, separated from the waters below by a railing that is low by modern standards.
There is no public transportation within the park. Get around by your own wheels, paddles or feet.
See
[edit]- 1 Civilian Conservation Corps Interpretive Center (near Bowman Bay). Apr-Sep, 10AM-4PM. An interpretive center that explains the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps throughout Washington state. The center was originally a bathhouse built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. Near the center is a CCC honor statue, which can be found in 30 U.S. states.
- 2 Deception Pass Bridge. A National Historic Monument, is actually two spans that link Whidbey Island near Oak Harbor to Fidalgo Island over Canoe Pass and Deception Pass. The 180 ft (55 m) high bridge was a Public Works Administration project built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935.
- 3 Maiden of Deception Pass (in the Rosario Beach area). A story pole that depicts the story of Ko-Kwal-alwoot, a culturally important story of the Samish Indian Nation.
Do
[edit]The park organizes guided hikes, interpretive walks, and even concerts, most often on Saturdays. See the Park Calendar for scheduled programs.
- 1 Amphitheater (At the western terminus of North Beach. Drive on Cranberry Lake Rd and turn right before West Beach parking lot). The place to catch an Interpretive program, evening concert, or host an event. This facility was constructed in 2017 using materials from around the park.
Hiking
[edit]The park contains nearly 40 mi (64 km) miles of trails, through old-growth forests, pristine beaches, and rugged coastal outcrops. Most trails are short and none gain more than a few hundred feet, making it easy to sample many areas of the park and cater to all fitness levels.
- Pacific Northwest Trail. Several miles of the 1,200 mi (1,900 km) Pacific Northwest Trail are within the park, including the section that crosses Deception Pass Bridge.
On Fidalgo Island (north)
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- Bowman Bay/Rosario Beach Trail. 0.5 mi (0.80 km) one way, 100 ft (30 m) gain. Varied forest environment with views of the rocky shoreline.
- Lighthouse Point Loop. 1.5 mi (2.4 km) round-trip, 100 ft (30 m) gain. Gets close to a small light station on a rocky cove.
- Lottie Point Loop. 1.5 mi (2.4 km) round-trip, 100 ft (30 m) gain. The closest seaside views of the pass and bridge.
- Pass Lake Loop. 2.2 mi (3.5 km) round-trip, 400 ft (120 m) gain. Trail follows north shore of Pass Lake through a deep forest.
- Tursi Trail. 1 mi (1.6 km) one way, 350 ft (110 m) gain.
On Whidbey Island (south)
[edit]- Goose Rock Perimeter Trail. 1.9 mi (3.1 km) round-trip, 150 ft (46 m) gain. Views of the bridge and Cornet Bay.
- Goose Rock Summit. 0.3 to 0.5 mi (0.48 to 0.80 km) to top, 250 ft (76 m) gain. The highest point on Whidbey Island, a rocky bald with views of the San Juan Islands and Cascade Mountains.
- Lower Forest Trail. 0.4 mi (0.64 km) one way, 150 ft (46 m) gain. Access trail to Quarry Pond.
- Discovery Trail. 0.7 mi (1.1 km) one way, 150 ft (46 m) gain. Access trail to Cornet Bay Retreat Center.
- North Beach Trail. 0.9 mi (1.4 km) one way, 190 ft (58 m) gain. Runs along the bluffs overlooking North Beach, which a variety of beach access points.
- Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail. 0.8 mi (1.3 km) paved ADA loop. This trail has a series of interpretive panels providing information about the seaside vegetation unique to this area and includes an observation deck.
- Cranberry Lake Trail. 1 mi (1.6 km) one way. Access trail to Cranberry Lake.
- Upland Interpretive Trail. .25 mi (0.40 km) round-trip. Self-guided interpretive hike through varied coniferous and open transitional forest environments.
- Hoypus Hill/Hoypus Point Natural Area Trails. This old-growth forest is one of the largest remaining in Puget Sound lowlands.
Beachcombing
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- 2 West Beach (Whidbey Island, west of Cranberry Lake). A long, gravelly shoreline with views of the Olympic Mountains, the San Juan Islands, and even Victoria on a clear day.
- 3 North Beach (Whidbey Island, north of Cranberry Lake). A 1 mi (1.6 km) gravelly shoreline with views of the Deception Pass Bridge. There are two CCC picnic shelters at the eastern end of the beach.
- 4 Bowman Bay, Bowman Bay Rd (Fidalgo Island). A sand and rock beach at the north end of the calm bay.
- 5 Rosario Head Tide Pools, Rosario Beach Rd (Fidalgo Island).
Boating
[edit]Boaters may take advantage of more than 1,100 ft (340 m) of dock and 1,980 ft (600 m) of moorage. There's both freshwater and saltwater boating opportunities from five watercraft launches.
- 6 Bowman Bay Boat Launch, Bowman Bay Rd. Has one ramp.
- 7 Cornet Bay Boat Launch, Cornet Bay Rd. Has six ramps.
- 8 Hope Island Marine State Park (1.5 miles SE of Hoypus Point. From Cornet Bay boat launch, about 2 miles E then SE). A 200 acres (81 hectares) marine park in Skagit Bay. The park offers several campsites, attractive beaches and a trail across the island. The island is forested with occasional meadows and rock outcroppings. The island is a natural area preserve to protect a rare Puget Sound ecosystem and accessible only both boat. 5 moorage buoys available.
- 9 Skagit Island Marine State Park. A 25 acres (10 hectares) marine camping park in Skagit Bay, accessible only by boat. The island is forested with occasional meadows, rock outcroppings, attractive beaches and a land trail and has 2 mooring buoys.
- Thrill-seeking kayakers go through the pass during large tide changes to surf the standing waves and brave the class 2 and 3 rapid conditions. This area is for experienced boaters only.
Boat rentals and tours
[edit]- Anacortes Kayak Tours (Bowman Bay boat launch parking lot), toll-free: +1 800 992-1801. Apr-Sep. Family-oriented 1.5 hour sea kayaking tours depart from the protected waters of Bowman Bay, avoiding the turbulent currents in the Narrows of Deception Pass, choosing instead to explore the gorgeous shoreline along Rosario Beach, and the sea cliffs to the north of the Park. Wildlife is abundant on these trips. Reservations recommended; Walk-ups accepted, but trips tend to fill early during summer. $49 Adults.
- 10 Deception Pass Tours, 5596 SR 20, Anacortes, toll-free: +1 888-909-8687. Hourly 11AM-6PM, Apr-Sep. This exciting tour takes visitors on an open-air jet boat through the waters around Deception Pass and surrounding areas. Also offers whale watching and marine mammal tours. Adults from $43, seniors/children from $38.
Fishing
[edit]Crabbing and both fresh and saltwater fishing are popular at Deception Pass. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for details.
The park’s two lakes offer quiet, protected waters with small launches.
- 11 Cranberry Lake (Whidbey Island, near the Main Entrance). Combustion engines prohibited.
- 12 Pass Lake (Fidalgo Island, near the bridge). All motors prohibited. Only catch-and-release fly fishing is permitted.
Scuba diving
[edit]Diving Deception Pass is dangerous and only for the most competent and prepared divers. There are a few times each year that the tides are right for a drift dive from the cove, under the bridge, and back to the cove as the tide changes. These must be planned well in advance by divers who know how to read currents and are aware of the dangerous conditions. However, because of the large tidal exchange, Deception Pass hosts some of the most spectacular colors and life in the Pacific Northwest. The walls and bottom are covered in colorful invertebrates, lingcod, greenlings, and barnacles everywhere.
Buy
[edit]- The Lake Store at Cranberry Lake (Cranberry Lake Campground entrance). F-Sa April to mid-June, daily until Labor Day. The Lake Store has firewood, ice cream and other camping supplies.
Eat
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There are numerous restaurants in nearby Anacortes to the north and (to a lesser extent) Oak Harbor to the south. On SR-20, headed nominally east but actually north toward Anacortes, the outdoor-only Shrimp Shack (6168 State Rte 20, Anacortes) is probably the nearest good food.
Crows and raccoons are frequent campground visitors. Keep all food in airtight containers or in vehicles.
Drink
[edit]- Campstuff Coffee (Cranberry Lake Campground entrance, next to the Lake Store). Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Brews up fresh espresso from a vintage camp trailer.
Keg beer is not permitted in the park. Alcoholic beverages are allowed only in campsites or at picnic tables.
Sleep
[edit]Lodging
[edit]Washington State Parks operates a lodge and two small clusters of cabins:
- 1 Cornet Bay Retreat Center, 400 W Cornet Bay Rd, Oak Harbor, ☏ +1 360 679-2482, [email protected]. Offering plenty of space for large meetings and group activities. A duplex and bunkhouse can accommodate up to 70 guests, each building has restrooms with showers. The main lodge offers a large, fully equipped kitchen with a walk-in refrigerator, reach-in refrigerator, freezer, full storage pantry and large prep area.
- Deception Pass Standard Cabins, 41229 Highway 20, Oak Harbor (in the Quarry Pond campground), toll-free: +1 888 226-7688. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Five cabins with electric heat, lights and locking doors. Cabins are furnished with a bunk bed that sleeps three, a futon couch that sleeps two and a table with chairs. Bathrooms and showers are nearby. Outside is a picnic table and fire pit with grate. Bathrooms and showers are nearby. Reserve up to nine months in advance.
- Deception Pass Deluxe Cabins (near the Cornet Bay Retreat Center), toll-free: +1 888 226-7688. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Two deluxe cabins include a restroom with shower and kitchen. Reserve up to nine months in advance.
Private lodging such as motels are available immediately outside the park, and in the nearby cities of Anacortes and Oak Harbor.
Camping
[edit]The park has 172 standard sites and 134 partial-hookup sites with water and electricity. Each standard site has a table, a fire ring and water nearby.
Campsites are popular, especially during summer. Reservations are highly recommended. Visit the Washington State Parks Reservation System to make reservations.
- 2 Bowman Bay Campground, Bowman Bay Rd. Check-in: 2:30PM, check-out: 1PM. Open seasonally. A small, old-fashioned campground tucked into the trees and close to the water. 18 standard sites, 2 partial-hookup sites. Showers in nearby restroom.
- 3 Cranberry Lake Campground (past Main Entrance). Check-in: 2:30PM, check-out: 1PM. Open seasonally. The largest campground at Deception Pass, hidden in the old-growth forest between North Beach, West Beach and Cranberry Lake on Whidbey Island. 147 standard sites, 83 partial-hookup sites, 5 hiker/biker sites. Showers in all restrooms.
- 4 Quarry Pond Campground, Cornet Bay Rd (east of Main Entrance). Check-in: 2:30PM, check-out: 1PM. Open year round. Set beside a pleasant rock-rimmed pond to the east of Highway 20. 7 standard sites, 49 partial-hookup sites, 1 hiker/biker site. Restroom with showers, kitchen shelter and a gazebo at center of campground.
Stay safe
[edit]Earthquakes and tsunamis are an ever-present possibility. Areas along the coast have well-marked tsunami evacuation routes. In the event of an earthquake, follow the routes to seek high ground.
Go next
[edit]- Anacortes, and onward to the San Juan Islands.
- Oak Harbor, and onward through Whidbey Island.
Deception Pass is on the North Cascade Loop itinerary.