Deception Pass State Park Reviews

It must be a fun place in the summer for fishing, picnic, hiking, running around under the sun. But I went in Dec., cold, wet and extremely quite since not many people there. It's so peaceful that I love the solitude. Running along the west & north beach trail, and up across the Deception Pass Bridge. Unfortunately Mt Bake and Mt Olympic were hid under the cloud, so suggest you find a clear day to visit.

GORGEOUS state park. Great views, beautiful hiking paths, pretty beaches. We enjoyed learning about Deception Pass, the bridge, and the history. The hike to the summit of Goose Rock was pretty easy - our 10 year old had no problem. Definitely recommend a visit to the park.

Take time to hike to the bottom, you won't regret it. An amazing passage through the beautiful cliffs. A very beautiful spot to spend a couple hours.

I have been enjoying Deception Pass for a lifetime. It offer great scenery, hiking, camping, and local wildlife.

On the Northside of the Canoe Pass bridge, by the rock wall, is an area that looks like easy picking for parking. DON"T PARK THERE! We have all seen the signs for "falling rocks". Well they regularly do fall here. There are currently orange cones by stacks of rocks.

There are lovely picnic areas in the park on both the Whidbey and Fidalgo sides of the bridge. There are two park entrances on the Fidalgo side of the bridge. They can be found on the south side of Rosario road just west of Pass lake. There is also an access road into the main part of the park on the Whidbey side of the bridge on the west side of Hwy 20.

If you want to camp, an advance reservation is often necessary in season.

There is a maintenance program underway currently. DOT says: "Beginning 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. The project will repair corroded areas and preserve the integrity of these iconic Washington bridges.

Visitors at Deception Pass State Park should expect increased traffic and limited parking along State Route 20 on either side of the bridges. One sidewalk will also be unavailable. Visitors will still be able to access the bridges by foot from the North Beach day-use parking lot, though visitors are highly encouraged to explore other locations in the park or views of the bridges during construction. Please be warned, construction noise may cause some disturbances to both day-use and overnight visitors."

Beautiful place and so worth the time! Even in the winter time it is beautiful! Make sure you stop and park so you can walk at least part of the walkway. You will miss so much if you just drive through it!

We made last minute reservations here and were only able to get a site in the Quarry Pond area. This is a nice campground, but far away from most of the amenities and required either a car or bike to travel to the other parts of the park. Quarry Pond is serene, but no swimming here. I would recommend staying in the main part of the Park's two campgrounds. Deception Pass area is beautiful and has lots to see and do. My son enjoyed the beach and Cranberry Lake! My husband and I enjoyed biking and hiking the trails! Deception Pass bridge is a must to walk over and back! The views are amazing! It was a little disappointing that they don't offer recycling (they ask that recyclables are taken home with you) and that they don't offer more evening programs and ranger-led activities. You tend to feel a bit out of the loop in the Quarry Pond campground.

My son suggested that it was a great place to see and boy was he right. It is absolutely gorgeous and the colors were beautiful. While walking across the bridge from the paid parking area we saw so many things to take pictures of it made it hard to decide. There are actually 2 bridges to cross and at the end of the second bridge is where we saw sealions playing. It was so neat and I really enjoyed seeing them. Some of the drawbacks that I saw was that the bridge walkways are somewhat narrow, it made crossing with a wheelchair and a stroller a little difficult. We managed, but it was a difficulty. Also the stairs do not have any type of handicapped accessibility. My husband wanted to at least go under the bridges and take some pictures, but because of no ramp access he couldn't do it. I don't know if that is something that could be done, but it could be something to be looked into and possibly planned. I know that wheelchairs can't and shouldn't be able to go everywhere in the woods, but they should be able to go from one side of the bridge to the other.

An amazing park with a variety of hiking is available. Definitely worth stopping and spending some time here. We have two older dogs that loved the walks. Stunning views. Heaps of camping sites.

I'll start by saying that I'm a neighbor and live about two miles from Deception Pass State Park. I haven't used the campground as I'm home. A minor drawback for both of these locations is noise from Whidbey Naval Air Station might test your patriotism (F-18s often morning till after dark). The Navy has been here since 1941. The Deception Pass Bridge is a wonder you can walk (sidewalks) and it is 180ft drop to the water, which during the right tide reaches over 7 knots. On the Whidbey Island side, the park has a fishable shallow lake, Cranberry Lake (kayakable, canoeable, swimable and fishable, no ramp - no motors). I canoe it and there are resident Bald Eagles you might see. There are campgrounds and a few small cabins (call or email for reservations). One of the cabins is Ben Ure's cabin on Ben Ure's Island in nearby Coronet Bay (You provide your own water transport). Ben Ure was a colorful figure who was a rumrunner, smuggler, and some say qualified as a pirate at the turn of the century. The lake is seperated from where the Straits of Juan De Fuca meet the Puget sound by a long sandy/gravelly beach, yep the place has green woods, campgrounds, trails on beaches and hills. There's fresh water, salt water, beaches, campsites and attracts 2,000,000 visitors a years (I'm not giving away any secrets) and I hear is the #1 destination in Washington State.

Beautiful place. The beach area is amazing. As it is facing the open ocean the weather can suddenly change bringing in inclement weather.

There are about 200 sites here, and we were extremely lucky that there was a cancellation and we got the LAST spot on a Friday night. Very dense woods; you can't see your neighbors. There is a beautiful lake, but the only place you can see it is on the road leading into the park. It's not visible in the park. They need more signs. I got lost going around it circles trying to find my way out.

What a beautiful day today. The park is outstanding! Lot’s of different options. Lakes, fishing, hiking trails and of course the bridge. Dog friendly as well. Highly recommended to spend time here.

The Forest is incredible, and the wildlife (lots of American Bold Eagles) is abundant. Oh yea the views are pretty incredible as well.

Walking across the bridge with young children was very stressful. Beautiful walk and view but there is very little between the cars and walkers. I’m glad I did this but don’t recommend waking across the bridge. with children.

My husband and I only got to spend maybe less than 3 hours at Deception Pass State Park. Park at the south end of the bridge where there is a large parking area and restrooms and walk across the bridge. Make sure you use the staircases at the ends so that you cross below and walk back on the other side. The views are awesome. From the south end of the bridge, there is a trail to take you to North Beach and that is worthwhile to do. You also get a different view of the bridge. We drove through the Park itself since we had a Discovery Day pass from a different state park we visited earlier in the day and there are lots of opportunities for exploring. We just did some tidepooling before we had to leave the area.

The views from the area are amazing. There are numerous places to pull over for sight seeing or pictures. This is a beautiful area!

Only had a Marine view , but stunning surroundings , fast water, struggling boats , beaches , forest, trails . Worth a visit if you are in the area.

Its a very nice par to visit, camping on the other-hand well, not so much unless you book 6mo in advance. Nice long beach to walk on and if the tide is out you can walk along way. Deep water don't get sucked out into it by the current.

The bridge is just an awesome site. But go to the state park will you'll see fabulous camping or day-use picnicking areas. The beach is Sandy and the sites are superb. There is also a lake or you could kayak and safely swim. Couldn't say enough great things about this park

There are so many fantastic places to check out at this park...(As of April 2020 it is now closed due to COVID-19 but hope it opens soon!) The scenic beauty of this park is immense and varied. As I've strolled beside Cranberry lake in the early morning or at dusk I've seen beaver, otter, osprey and eagles, mergansers, gorgeous swans and snow geese, red breasted nuthatch, pileated woodpeckers, and so many other birds. When visiting West Beach there is nothing like the 'sea' of pink sea blush flowers that carpet the ground beside the dunes and the cries of oystercatchers (birds) that nest at Rosario flying by or red loons flying by the hundreds just over the water..
There is a handicapped accessible trail that is somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 mile in distance at the dunes where you can see long hanging lichen that look like tinsel waving in the trees, along with magnificent Pacific Madrone trees, yew trees and crab apple trees. There is a marvelous "overlook' of the bog and lake in the middle of this unique micro-forest that is well worth the extra few steps to get there.as well as an ancient twisted Douglas Fir on the short, flat but a little bumpy with roots dunes trail.
If you choose 'Bowman Bay to explore there are kayak rentals during Summer and a pier where a lot of folks do crabbing. There is a boat launch there as well as other sites. IF you head South from the boat launch you take a lovely 'up and down' trail to Lighthouse Island. On the side facing Deception Pass waters there is a unique habitat of a 'rocky bald' area filled with native wildflowers. On the way you'll cross a tombolo which is a sandy isthmus that connects the mainland with the island. There are unique plant communities there. .This is where you can see 'wild carrot' and 'silverweed' whose roots were a food of the Native peoples before there were 'grocery stores!
Rosario beach area is the site of an ancient Samish Village site (occupied by First Peoples for over 10k years) Is a peaceful, lovely place where the small, beautiful flat pebbles make a lovely sound as the tide comes in an out..This is a perfect place for barbecues, weddings, and there is a wide open grass field and shelter for special events. The tidepools there host some great diverse creatures from sea stars to sea anemones, small crabs, different kinds of little fish, barnacles and seaweeds. This is a delicate ecosystem so please read the signs and tread with care and go during the low tide to see the most interesting creatures! Take only pictures and leave with only happy memories!
Throughout this park there are these gorgeous, rustic, hand-built stone shelters complete with wood fired stoves made by the Conservation Corps in the 1920s that are buildings and works of art! At Christmas time they put on a Holiday gathering with a roaring fire and invite "Santa and Mrs' Claus" for the kids..The whole family or if it is just yourself are welcome to come, join in the live music, & enjoy hot cocoa and cookies!
Then there is the old growth forest at Hoypus Point, where a lot of folks fish from and boat launch, This forest is a avorite place for us mushroomers!
Pass Lake is fantastic for just pulling over while you're on a drive as it is right off Hiway 30.. A lot of folks go there for fishing...I like swimming there but not too many people do as it is colder than ..Cranberry Lake that has swimming and picnicking and small boat rentals in the summer! Goose Rock is a steep treck uphill for about 600-800 feet but well worth the view...sepctacular! It is like being up in an airplane and on a clear day you can see the Olympics, a wide swath of the Salish Sea and Cranberry Lake in it's entirety. This too is a lovely place to be 'on top of the world' like an eagle looking down on everything. There are trails from here that lead either to Cornet Bay Learning Center or to the bridge in a trail called the "perimeter' trail that is also lovely
Finally, even if you just 'drive through' if you are a passenger you'll get an 'amazing' view from the bridge as you pass by...fantastic sunsets and sunrises. These are but a few of the treasurer of this amazing park...I'm so happy to live only 15 minutes away and I go there every chance I can...it is the BEST place in the world!

First time to visit Deception Pass State Park, on Whidbey Island ... was amazed at the views, and scenery. So many great places to take photo's, if you are a photo hound, and also just a great experience walk the trails and beach. Being from California, this is a change from the beaches, and experiences that we mostly see. If you are in the area and have time, would be well worth the couple of hours to detour to see. Great place to walk along the beach, hike the trails, camp overnight, and/or explore

This place is gorgeous.

Most people go to the main part of the park, which is on the south side of the bridge, leaving the north part (Bowman Bay) far less crowded. On a beautiful summer weekday the parking lot was barely half full.

Hiking trails in both directions along the beach. CCC built many of the buildings long ago, and they still look great.

Our thanks to friendly Ranger Dave who promptly called an excellent locksmith when we locked ourselves out of our car. (Our T-Mobile unexpectedly had no service there.) He saved us. Thanks, Dave!

Beautiful day in the high 50's spent with grandchildren at Cranberry lake reaction area and dock! Built a fire in the outdoor covered stove and roasted marshmallows, which makes for great memories! We were warned by Ranger to NOT use any of the twigs or sticks lying on the ground as that is lawful, and you must bring in your own wood for fire. Such a beautiful park and setting overlooking Cranberry Lake!

Bring your bikes, hiking shoes and swimsuits because this campground has it all! There was so much to see and do that in a three day weekend we probably only saw 1/4 of the park and we were up and moving the entire time. The jets flying over on Friday was a welcomed surprise to our airplane loving boys!

Short drive from Anacortes. $10 fee. Walked to bridge from a parking lot in the park. Lovely path, lots of ferns and trees. There is construction going on right now but the view from the bridge is still there!
Beaches also have beautiful views. Would be a great place to spend the day.

Young and old can enjoy the trails, scenery and maybe even a campfire with hot dogs and eventually s'mores in this lovely park. From North Beach or Bowman Bay you can watch the boat traffic as it maneuvers through the often turbulent waters of Deception Pass. Certain times of the year the shores are lined with fishermen trying to catch the salmon as is heads through the pass. If you enjoy skipping stones on the water - you can spend hours looking for ....and trying that perfect flat stone.

When I read about Deception Pass I knew we had to go to Vancouver via Whidbey Island. It was a great day and ended at Deception Pass. We visited the park for just a few minutes - it was very busy even late on a Sunday. Looked like a place to visit, kayak and of course a beach area, but the water is pretty cold. There was even a coffee trailer there. Quick stop then on to the main attraction...the bridge. Parking area was packed, but we were able to back up into a spot that someone was leaving instead of having to try to get across traffic or turn right and have to go down a ways and turn around. Very busy traffic area. My son and I walked down under the bridge and down a trail a little ways. Got some neat photo ops under the bridge. Then came the fun of walking across the bridge - hubby picked us up on the other side. Although I am somewhat afraid of heights, I did fine walking across. It was a little unnerving to have traffic coming toward you on a bridge. Beautiful day...beautiful bridge...beautiful memories!

Easy hike with amazing views. Tackle the pebble beach or take the inside trails when its hot out. Great for a day trip and very close to campgrounds.

Be sure to bring your Discovery Pass for the parking lot. Walk out to the middle of the bridge for incredible photo ops. Be sure to use the safety stairs below the bridge to cross to other side. Views are completely different and worth the walk.

Nice bridge with very nice view.
From the bridge you can see several seals.
There are also walking routes from the bridge.
Next to the bridge is a footpath so you can walk the entire bridge. You can go under the road to the other side of the bridge.

Great little spot to camp or hang out for a day, but being so close to the I-5 corridor and Seattle/Everett/Bellingham, it can get pretty crowded. The camp spots are nice and pretty secluded themselves, but on a nice day the beach can be packed.

Beautiful scenery and must stop and see when in Whidbey Island. Also nice hikes and close up views of the currents under the bridge.

Nice little scenic route from Seattle through the Ferry at Mukilteo Clinton crossing. There are two parking spots. The first spot is for the beach area where there is less of a hike to climb back up. 2 nd one is for the bridge route and under.

Deception Pass State Park offers hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, beach combing and much more all in arguably the most beautiful area of Washington.
The terrain spans from rocky beaches to steep jagged cliffs with trails throughout.
The Deception Pass Bridge is beautiful to look at from below and can be actually to scary to walk on because it is so high!
There is so much water rushing under it during tide changes that it creates wild designs of wild whirlpools and frenetic currents.
Just driving over the Deception Pass bridge is fun or turn off and enjoy what the Park offers.

We went here for a break during our son's family visit to the area. Highly recommend for everyone. A short drive from Mt Vernon and I5.

Great walking trails! Drive into the state park entrance past the first parking lot and bridge. Then walk the trails from near the restrooms back towards the bridge. Awesome views!

An outstanding state park with many opportunities for adventures and exploring. Great family place to visit and relax.

Absolutely beautiful. If you can stay for hours and hike hike hike, definitely do that. But, if you are only passing through and have maybe only 30 min - that's ok, still stop! Stop on both sides of the bridge. Heading south from the north side, pull over in the pull out area, and walk on the bridge, take photos, then back in the car to the south side where there is a full parking lot, a bathroom, and lots of hiking paths plus the opportunity to take some beautiful photos under the bridge. Gorgeous spot. Read all about the history, and the interwoven lives of George Vancouver, Joseph Whidbey and Peter Puget - heady stuff!

Our visit to Deception Pass was on a rainy day but that did not deter from seeing a great view of the nearby islands. We walked through the forest for about an hour an a half which was delightful, despite the overhead jets that were practicing overhead - they were so loud and reverberated right through me (Note: I have hearing aids). We had hoped to have our picnic outdoors but it was just too wet so we sat in the car and admired the view.

Just an hour or so away from central Vancouver and worth the visit! The only thing we didn’t like (which we didn’t know about) was the fact that the camp site is located right beside the US air base at Oak Harbour. We went on a Wednesday/ Thursday and the jet planes were constantly flying above us, non stop until late at night. What a gorgeous spot in a woody forest with old growth cedars, beach, lakes and to be constantly disturbed by loud flying planes taking off every minute .. I heard they do not fly on weekends. Have fun!

We parked at the state park (the one before you cross the bridge)and started our hike at Rosario Head and walked along Bowman Bay and Bowman campground. We ended at Lighthouse Point where the views of the bridge and the Olympic Mountains were amazing. The total distance was 4.5 miles and was moderately difficult. I recommend everyone if you are able do this hike, it’s breathtaking 💕

What a treat to stumble upon this park. Great high vistas, or down at the water boat launch and beach area. Terrific hiking. Beautiful scenery. Loads of nature; birds, flora, fauna, sea mammals, animals. Not particularly busy.

Beautiful park with several hiking trails. We took short easy incline that lead to small beach area under bridge, lots of pepples, rocks to climb on a some driftwood. Great vantage point to view both sections of bridge (currently being painted) CCCorppavilion is awesome too.

Amazing place to visit. Great place to hike. Once you get to the top of these mountains the views will blow you away.

There is a short 10 min walk on an easy trail (4yr plus)... ends in a campsite with bathroom and a wonderful clear beach

A favorite trip whenever guests visit from elsewhere-- the bridge and hiking and state park at Deception Pass are terrific! The bridge spans two channels of fierce currents with deep water and very rocky cliffsides. It is a nice walk from one end of the bridge to the other, and if you are able to climb stairs, you can pass under the bridge and return on the other side. If you can't do stairs, then travel across the bridge on the EAST side (mainland), so that you can go out to the overlook, which is partially ADA accessible and provides some additional vistas. While here, look for seals and sea lions in the water, and watch the birds fly and dive. This is a great place to bring kids who are inquisitive-- age 4+; but be sure they are compliant regarding safety rules. There is a lot of traffic and a lot to see, so it is important that everyone look around and be cautious. I really like the short one mile hike along the beach from the south end of the bridge around the point to the main parking lot of the state park. It adds a few minutes to the stop, but completes the picture of this wonderfully beautiful place-- first from the bridge high above, and then from the beach at the water's edge. We had one member of our party drive the car around to the park entrance and down to the beach, so that we could continue on our journey through and around Whidbey Island. The parking lot does require a Discovery Pass or pay a daily use fee.

We love heading out to Deception Pass State Park! Not only are there a million trails to walk that go along the beach or in the woods, there are two options for water play! A fresh water lake on one side and the ocean on the other! On busy summer days it can get pretty busy and finding a parking spot can sometimes be tough. The best part about this park is that dogs are allowed! There is a leash law and a $99 fine for having your dog off leash, but at least the dogs are allowed here! The day we visited there were hundreds of people and just about as many dogs, and all but one were leashed and under control! The loose one only cared about his ball and didn't cause any problems with kids or other dogs. This is a great place for a picnic, kayaking around the lake, letting the kids swim in the buoyed swim area, or just hiking around the huge park and enjoying the beauty of it all! It does require a Discovery Pass ($30) or a 1-day parking pass ($10), just like all parks in WA state.

Deception Pass is an amazing place to visit. You can visit the beach or a short hike will take you up to the bridge where you can walk across the entire span. Traffic is often heavy around here, so keep a good handle on pets or kids. Also, if you're uncomfortable with heights, you may want to skip the bridge. The tide currents through the pass have to be seen to be believed, so hang out for a while and watch Mother Nature do her thing.

I really loved this park. If you have time take a lunch and have a picnic on the beach. Wish I could have been there at sunset.

Hubby and I were visiting Whitby Island and family, and wanted a nice walk. Perfection!! Peaceful, gorgeous, amazing views!! Would love to walk it everyday!!

We were staying on Whidbey Island and just made a quick day trip to the park. It was very easy to find,cost $10 to park, and had plenty of trails and beaches to explore. The bridge has a pretty amazing view but beware: the .2 mile trail to the top is STRAIT UP! Aside from the steepness, the trails are very well maintained and easy to walk on. I think any age hiker could manage them. We also hiked down to the north beach. It was small but very beautiful, and had plenty of space to play or picnic. We liked it so much, we went out of our way to drive by Deception Pass on another day as well. I would say this is a must do if you are on or near Whidbey Island.

We stopped for a quick hike as we didn't have much time in the area. We parked in the north area which gave great views of the bridge and water.

We followed the signs in the park that said "to the bridge" and walked the long hike through beautiful trees and ferns. It was not well marked and we were a bit off the trail at times. You go downhill for a long time (can see the beach and cars from some viewpoints. Then you go uphill! One member of our party had some serious health problems and this was a bit of a push for him, but he did it. Imagine our surprise when we finally reached the bridge and there was a parking lot right there! The hike was nice, but not necessary for the view we wanted. My husband hike the long way back to the car and picked the rest of us up. Just a heads up if you want to walk the bridge, but not hike the forest! there is usually a charge to park, but it was free parks day while we were traversing Whideby Island!

One of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. Arrive an hour before sunset and have your camera ready. On a clear day the distance you can see is wonderful.

Excellent Day hike. We started out with a bit of fog which cleared by the time we reached the view point. Trails are very well maintained. Route is scenic in the forest and along the beach in spots. Only one part that takes 20 - 30 minutes is steep. Recommend hiking poles - not mandatory but helpful.

The road was busy with only a two lane coming and going with lots of big trucks, some even logging trucks. There's a little parking area where you can park and then hike along the beautiful bridge, keep in mind it's a tiny little sidewalk with traffic swishing by which can be quite intimidating but we didn't mind. What we did enjoy was watching from the middle of the bridge the boiling water which is the tide making it's way in/out through a small pass. There are also hiking trails around the bridge which are wonderful and great forest therapy. Do make a stop and take pic's!

This is a must see park along with the bridge. The park covers 3 different areas. The main park just south of the bridge, the portion by pass lake, and the last portion by Coronet Bary.

Deception pass state park is a beautiful place to visit. The water is so inviting. lots of rocks to find and keep,, area is spacious enough you are sitting on top of each other. The bridge is breathtaking both looking down at the water as well as looking up to the bridge.

The park consists of multiple areas, so be familiar with the layout before you access it depending on whether you want to walk across the bridge or head to the beach. The forest and beaches of this park are absolutely stunning and capture the pristine and primal beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Facilities are clean and staff are helpful.

We have loved camping here for years & taking family picturs. Absolutely beautiful! If you are able to, you can walk across the bridge too. Right now it is under construction though. Repairs plus painting is being done.

Large park with lots of nice trails and plenty of beaches to walk on. Lots of places for a picnic and a place to just be by yourself. Well worth the stop!

While i was there it was like a dream! My husband and I spent over a week going accross Oregon then up into Washington, on this trip we were BLESSED to spend a day at Deception Pass State Park. This was the most beautiful place! I got to sit on a beach with an amzing view of the bridge above us and watch a professional photographer take photos of a seal that wanted to play. It was so calming and a place where you can not only clear your mind, but I felt like it was a place to reconnect. Not just with loved ones and family, but for me it was the beauty and sheer feeling I felt in this place that led me to Church. I wanted a closer relationship with the God that could create such a wonderful place.
Not only was this place so amazing for words, but within a few hours drive there are so many other places that are so mind blowing! (Visited October 2017, this trip saved my marriage in a ver unconventional way, and lead me to meet some of the best people I have ever met that I am now luck enough to call my church family!)

Such a great place and the beaches were amazing! Can't wait to go back next summer and actually stay in the park!

This was our second visit, and wow! We love this park! It is so beautiful. We spent a couple hours walking along the beaches and would love to come back and spend a few days here. Highly recommend for couples or families!

Make sure you check whether or not there’s construction first! The roadside was clogged with tourists and there was little to no parking because of construction. That being said, the views are to die for.

Pinterest said Komorebi is the light that filters through leaves of trees. This is one of my favorite things, along with sun glistening off of water... deception pass park had both and my heart was full! My daughter and I only had about 20 minutes here to stretch our legs on a road trip but it was worth it! The walk down to the beach was easy-even in my heeled sandals(wasn’t really planning this!). We looked at rocks(gorgeous!!) and played in sand. Highly recommend stopping to at least see:)

Go out on the bridge and watch the ripping tide. Take the lower perimeter trail then up to summit from the backside. Wetter and prettier. Descend the trail on the se side, perimeter trail back to parking. Sweaty winded teens == win!

Nice park, worth a stop.

This visit we just walked over the bridge and under the bridge. Sunny, pretty clear, beautiful day. Bridge maintenance in progress.

The views from the bridge are amazing. We saw lots of seals, birds and moon jellyfish. The upper parking lot has a small gift shop. The climb down to the beach is very steep. There is also a lower parking lot with an easy walk to the beach. There is also a bathroom there.

We stayed 2 nights in a cabin, but wished we had more time! The cabin was nice, but the futon was extremely uncomfortable - it needed a thicker cushion. The bunk beds were great, and luckily could fit the 3 of us. The cabins, rvs, and camping spots were too many and too close together in the Quarry Pond area. We went to Rosario Beach at low tide and saw lots of fun creatures. We spent half a day kayaking & swimming at Cranberry Lake, which was lovely. The highlight was tree canopy climbing with AdventureTerra - this is a unique and amazing experience and should be on everyone's bucket list! Definitely bring earplugs for the frequent flyovers from the neighboring Naval Air Station.

Great photo opportunity at the Deception Pass Bridge, beautiful old bridge with scenic waterways and surrounding views. Parking at either end and in the middle of the bridge, though the parking on the south side of the bridge requires a payment fee.

Recently went for a camping trip here at the Quary Pond Campground. In terms of convenience with young kids age 2 and 6 this is definitely highly recommended. First there is power at this campground which is a first for me. My wife wisely packed a hair dryer which was good as it can get colder at night. Warm shower is available although it takes a while for the woman bathroom but it was clean and a large shower room made it easy to bath my 2 year old. There is also a gas station convenient store nearby which is very welcome.

As for activities the Goose Rock hike is a great 45 mins hike with a great view. We accidently went up the tougher path but my 6 year old could handle and enjoy it. I had to carry my 2 year old but once we reached the top there was a good flat area to rest and enjoy the view. The lake on the main State Park was excellent for young kids as they designated a really shallow area for young kids. I could safely leave them to play with water and sand. The beach was also pleasant but a little cold to swim. There was also ranger activities for younger kids that we did make it and kayak rental too.

The con is that the campground was closer to each other which meant if you had a noisy neighbor it is annoying. Flip side is our kids played with other kids so it was fun. It is also close to a military base so you can hear some jet noise which was not too bad for us as the kids got excited hearing it. They do make a spectacular view if you can catch them on a hike.

Overall, this is really convenient place to camp and definitely making it into my list.

It is $10 for a day pass and there is a nice mix of shorter and longer hiking options. Pet friendly!

We did a few hikes in the park and visited the tide pools. A naturalist named Aaron showed us a number of cool things in the tide pools that we might not have noticed otherwise. The weather was very pleasant and the park is beautiful.

Deception Pass State Park is awe inspiring. Great camping sites, friendly Rangers, and views to inspire the artist in all of us.

We went with our family, two boys ages 10 and 12, along with Grandma to walk across the amazing Deception Pass Bridge. It was so beautiful and we really enjoyed the views. We even saw some eagles nesting high up in the trees. We then went down to the public beach, which was very sandy and calm for my boys to swim and enjoy building a fort out of driftwood. There are picnic tables, but I would recommend bringing plenty of snacks and water as they didn't have anything to purchase there. There also is not much shade so I also recommend chairs and an umbrella. It was a great family day and we would love to come back one day.

Last visit, we were unable to explore Deception Pass because too many of the family members did not want too. On a previous visit, my wife and I hiked a few of the trails at Deception Pass State Park. Beautiful scenery everywhere you look. Highly recommend!

When you've seen California coastline, Deception Pass is pretty but not breathtakingly so. We kayaked from there and THAT was arduous (wouldn't recommend). Plein aire painters were having the BEST time that day.

Nice 15 minute cliff side hike from parking lot at Bowman Bay to tide pools at Rosario Beach. Steep cliffs, so like the warnings say use caution with small kids or rowdy fearless teens. Saw 6 otters swimming alongside the trail.

If you love beautiful, nature paths to hike and amazing views then this is a great place for you to stop and check out. I totally love this part of the world anyway, It has an abundance of beauty to fill your spirit. It is full of native species of plants, flowers, trees, birds and animals. Walk across the Deception Pass Bridge and look at the water below. I can't brag the views enough!!

This is the perfect campground to stay at close to Anacortes. Whether you are having a large camping reunion, fun with family or a stopover before going to San Juan Islands- this spot is for you. It has a great (warm) lake for fishing, swimming, kayaking, or paddle boarding and is protected for kids to swim. There are hiking trails, nice showers, and is Very family friendly. Campsites are very private..

Beautiful bridges & Beaches
Stop on north side of bridges(2), great views.
Drive down and park by the beaches just south of bridges.
Take a stroll along the water of hike among the tall Evergreen trees.

Beautiful place, and cabins C7 and C8 have kitchens and bath for winter enjoyment. Caveat: There's no sofas or comfortable chairs. Just hard wood chairs for dining table. There's room for a sofa and the description (that it has same furniture as camper cabins) suggests such. But none. So unless you bring a lot of pillows to sit on the bed, better bring your camping chairs.

Also, the description says there's a kitchen and utensils. While there are butter knives, forks and spoons - there are no cooking utensils, no can opener, peeler, spatula, stirers, etc. Also there's only a medium, small and very small saucepan. No skillet or anything to cook fried food. There is a toaster (at least cabin C7 had one).

Incredibly scenic viewing and park. Very few can be found with a small parking lot keeping the salt water surf out of the fresh water lake. This would rate five stars, but you do contend with jet noise from the close by Navy air base.

Thanks to the friendly park manager with the megawatt smile, we got great recommendations for hikes. He also made sure to let us know that the trails on the maps are numbered, but the trail markers on the trails are named. BE SURE you get a numbered map AND take a picture of the map with trail names posted in the Admin building entrance if you are going to do any extensive hiking.

Hike 1 was up to Goose Rock, the highest point on Whidbey Island. The hikers range from 6 to 63 years old, and one has asthma and three joint replacements. There are some steep spots, of course, but it was a good workout for all. We packed a picnic lunch to eat at the top, and started on our way. AllTrails posters suggested going to the summit first, and then coming down on one of the perimeter trails. The top is a gorgeous place to eat lunch and take in the views. There are no garbage cans or facilities up there, so pack out what you take in.

Hike 2 was Hoypus Point to see old growth forests and huge ferns. The kids said it reminded them of Endor and they could imagine Ewoks popping out of the vegetation.This was a beautiful hike, and there are some steep climbs, depending on the route you choose, but the dirt trail is easy on the joints.

The third place we visited was North Beach for some sun, sand, and lunch. It was busy on such a beautiful day, but there is plenty of room for everyone. We sat on the logs to eat, but make sure you take your garbage out with you to keep it beautiful for everyone. Cranberry Lake was right by North Beach, and it looked like an excellent place for a kayak paddle. Maybe next time...

Put on some good water shoes, park your car and get down to the beach. Oh, and either take a bag, or a container, or have lots of pockets. Then start meandering.. It is impossible to walk this area without practicing the stoop. Be selective. There is beach jade, basalt, quartz . . .and so much more. Take a beverage, sit on a log , close your eyes and listen to the ocean tumble the rocks.

If water and rocks aren't your thing, then go for a long walk in the spectacular woods. Breathe in the air. Maybe you'll see a deer.

I love this park because there is something for everyone. You can take a 5 mile hike with spectacular views or you can just sit at the beach and enjoy the view.

Deception Pass has SO many cool things to see.... trails, the bridge, moss galore.... ferns.... old growth.... it’s a MUST see when visiting or if you live on Whidbey. Goose Rock is a great hike and the views are breathtaking. Do this!!!

As the fires around North Cascades had limited what we could do and see there, I looked for something interesting to see as we went up the coast and this appeared to be an interesting natural site. The pass is a very small water connection between the shallow river fed Skagit Bay and the open Straits of Juan de Fuca that separates Whidbey Island on its very northern end from the mainland. As the pass is so small between two large bodies of water, the current is unreal ripping through the channel.

While there is beach you can get to, the area is enhanced by the cliffs that surround the pass which make an easy path for beautiful connecting bridges. All of this is an incredible setting even it the clouds and mist to bring hundreds of people to visit.

We parked on the Skagit County side and walked the first bridge to the island in the middle. From there we walked both sides of the small island for views of the pass and the bridge. It is an absolute, incredibly beautiful setting. As I did not really get to the San Juans or spend much time on the islands, I am glad I came to see this.

Walk the span of the bridge on foot to get the best views. Then head down to the beach to get a view of the bridge from bottom up.

We have thoroughly enjoyed this gorgeous State Park that rivals both Glacier and Yosemite in it's beauty! 2 days of hiking and a boat tour that was as good as those we had in Alaska have convinced us that we will be back! Amazing shoreline vistas, marine wildlife, old growth forests and nature at her best are just the start of your adventures. You MUST visit this very special place!

We first visited the little beach below and then drove up and stopped for the view from the bridge. Fantastic scenery and one of the best local trips.
One moan. On the plaque telling you about Captain Vancouver it would be good to tell about his life eg. Sailing with Capt Cooke and also give his correct title of Captain Vancouver RN.

This is a historic pass and still has an amazing view of the sound and back waters. The hike around the pass are quite pleasant and easy for kids. The walk down to the beach is also amazing with redwood trees around you. Since we went there as a getaway for our anniversary, we ended up staying in a bed and breakfast nearby. Definitely recommend parking at the bridge parking and going for a walk on the bridge.

We have been under the bridge several times whale watching, so it was cool to see the bridge and the pass up close. Such a lovely site.

Most people only see the bridge which is quite beautiful but they miss the park and beach. The bridge parking areas are small and difficult to maneuver in with a full size pickup, I take my Jeep and this eliminates the problem. Walking out on the bridge is breathtaking, it is that beautiful. Lot’s of people are there and lots of traffic on the bridge. The park has lots of parking with plenty of room. There is a sandy beach there. There is also lots of trails through the woods. I love this park and normally make it there once a month.

We chose several trails to explore. They were in great shape, we has some sunshine, and the bathrooms were even open. Who could ask for more on a beautiful spring afternoon?

Must do!! Any day of the week D pass is worth a visit. Bring your WA State discover pass :) The hiking trails are fantastic and well maintained. The swimming beach at Cranberry lake is great for little ones, and you can also boat and fish on it! It's adjacent to west beach so best of all world's.

Nice hike along the shore and then went up to the bridge for nice views. The bridge is a little scary since there is traffic right near the walkway.

If you have only an hour or two to visit the park, consider walking the Lighthouse Loop trail. It’s not strenuous but provides beautiful views of water and the bridge along with all the green, green, green alongside the trail.

Be aware that there is a modest charge for parking at the trailhead.

Absolutely gorgeous view from the bridge, if not dangerous. Amazing to think that in 1935 the cost to build was $450,000! Less than one year to complete. Think about today...with all the ridiculous restrictions, and permits and feasibility studies it would more than likely be $300,000,000 plus 5 years to build. The park is also very rustic and quite beautiful to behold.

Deception Pass State Park is worthy of a visit...a quick "lets see the view" visit near the famous bridge; a day trip; overnight camping. There's fantastic scenery, good walking opportunities, nice camping areas, and even a great day-use area with swimming in the summer. Although I've visited many times over the years, today I went on a hike I'd never done here, the park is that big. You do need to have a Discover Pass to park in most parking areas, but I think the parking area nearest the bridge is free for quick stops.

There is so much to do here. There are several hikes through the woods. Take a short, easy hike down to the beach. While at the beach, be sure to take a close look in the tide pools for all kinds of creatures. Talk a walk across the bridge to get amazing views of the gorgeous water below.

great place, amazing ocean / nature view,beautiful beach, great for fishing, picture taking, day picnic with kids, small hike close by with great view
In love with this spot

Spectacular views of water. It was easy to park. The walking trails were easily accessible from the parking area.

The Deception Pass is a strait connecting Fidalgo Island and Whidby Island by means of a large bridge completed in July 1935.

The bridge is located in the middle of Deception Pass State Park, which is the most visited state park in Washington with over two million visitors annually.

it is a great weekend escape place for family with young kids! Beautiful nature offer a lot of sightseeing options, family friendly! however, a playground add-up will be a plus!

This park has a lot to offer. The views from the older style bridges are good and the road is well maintained. FYI if you want to park to walk on to the bridge or use a restroom stop before crossing the bridge as you have to pay to park on the state park side, there are restrooms at that parking lot.

Within the park you can drive around and get down to the water's edge. Good picnic spots are everywhere. It can get crowded on weekends or holidays in the summer so plan your trip accordingly.

There are tour boats that will take you through the pass and tell you the history of it and how it got it's name.

The west facing beaches are great at sunset. Also there is a naval air training base just south and sometimes the Blue Angels jets do practice flights, they can be very loud which might spoil the peace and quiet of the park.

Deception Pass was one of the most beautiful parks I've ever been to. I highly recommend stopping here for a couple hours if you are traveling between Seattle and Vancouver.
My partner and I did the Goose Rock trail, crossed over the bridges, and went to the tidal pools. The views are stunning in every direction. We were there in mid-September so there were ample opportunities to pick and eat blackberries.
We were there for about 2 hours. You could have a great time there for 1-2 hours and see some of the key stuff, or you could also have a great time there for a whole day. There is plenty to see.
FYI the car bridges are pretty harrowing for pedestrians with tall heights and cars/trucks whooshing past you on a very narrow sidewalk. If you are shy about heights or uncomfortable being very close to fast car traffic then I recommend parking closer to the trails you want to do so you don't have to walk across those bridges.

Great place for beautiful photos. We drove over the bridge coming from the North side and stopped at the parking lot to the right just after cross the bridge. You do need a WA state park pass to park there, but if you don't have one you can get a daily pass ($10) at the kiosk. There's also bathroom facilities available.

We first walked along the Deception Pass bridge about half way across. It was fairly windy, and not for people who have height phobias. Excellent place to take some great pics. Afterwards, we hiked down an easy trail to the small rocky beach at the bottom of the bridge. Again, great views and a nice place for a photo of the bridge. Definitely worth a 30 minute stop or so to take in the view and enjoy the scenery.

Built in the 1930’s the park is mature with amazing views, hikes, and facilities. On a sunny day the Wast beach can be very busy, but the beach on the Puget Sound and the swimming at Cranberry Lake are spectacular. Campground loops and site are a little on the small size, but that is attributed to the age of the park. Despite the age of the park the facilities are well maintained and clean. Signage around park can be confusing use the map!

This is a long shot… I lost my wedding ring hiking the Lighthouse Point (outer) Loop on Friday, 05/22/20. I hope a kind soul finds it and returns it to me.

The ring may have dropped in the northwest section of the trail - anywhere starting from a mini set of switchbacks to a part where the trail is washed out and there's a bit of scrambling afterwards. This area is also where you can take a wrong turn north and end up at a drop off.

Anyway, I arrived in the parking lot of Bowman’s Bay around 11 AM on a Friday and it was 3/4ths full. We made our way through Lighthouse Point Loop going clockwise. There's plenty of space to sit down and enjoy the views without it feeling overcrowded. There are multiple small beaches with sketchy beach accesses, pathways to tucked away places, and killer views. Once you hit the north/east side of the trail (to finish the loop), it can be difficult to navigate due to overgrowth.

This is an awesome park. As per state park rules, please have your dogs leashed, under your control at all tImes and pick up after them. Unleashed dogs are a safety issue and unfortunately occur with some frequency here. Training and voice command are NEVER 100%. Follow park and local laws please.

I personally carry dog spray in case I cannot get an owner to gain control, my voice commands on charging dogs don’t work, or when me/my spouse can’t gain physical control by grabbing a collar to hand them back to their irresponsible owner. I’ve never had to use it, but I’ve had 3 close calls this month alone. Not all dogs like other dogs. Not all people like dogs. Please be responsible and enjoy the park.

We stayed at the Quarry Pond at Deception Pass and it was very nice with thee exceprion of the campsites are verry close to each other.

We didn’t stop due to the crowds and difficulties parking. We drove slowly and were amazed at the view. You can park and walk out on the bridge if you can find a parking place.

We at least stop and take more photos everytime we have visited over the past 4 years. This year I was blessed with a Sunset! I love taking photos from different areas along the shore and from the bridge. It's a MUST STOP and enjoy.

This is a really beautiful park to visit even in the winter. We hiked two trails: Rosario to Lighthouse and Goose Rock Loop. The views on both trails were outstanding. There are great views of the Deception Pass from the Lighthouse Point trail. And don't miss a walk across the bridge to view the Pass from above.

I enjoyed watching the seals from high up above. The view is great!
We also enjoyed hiking near cranberry lake. So beautiful and such thick, wooded forest.

Deception Pass Tours is a must do tour! Capt Brett shared interesting history, motored by cool wildlife, and more.
Relaxing, beautiful, and unforgettable. Don’t miss it!

I grew up with this place as my playground. The scenery is beautiful. The hike to the beach below is exhilarating. The history is very interesting. Below the bridge you see a very striking view of whirlpool and eddys which is very exciting to navigate in a small craft. Across the water you see a cave where prisoners mined rock. Many different hiking trails and tons of beautiful birds to discover. Just crossing the bridge is an adventure.

I hiked the Goose Rock Trail to the top and across the bridge and back. Lovely view, and good workout.

Visited with local friends, excellent vertigo inducing views from the bridge, found nice driftwood and occasional sea glass on the beach.

This is an absolutely gorgeous spot to spend an afternoon if you have the time. They have some really nice trails that will either take you down to the beach or lead you through an old growth forest that will have you surrounded by some towering trees. It is a very peaceful place to spend the day but can also get quite crowded so get there early if you can. The spots on the beach are so incredibly relaxing you can sit there for hours just listening to and watching the waves come rolling in. The view from the bridge are incredible but the parking area near the bridge can fill up quickly but are worth the time. The nice thing is that you don't have to pay for parking near the bridge and they also have a bathrooms at the lot which was nice. This is certainly a park you should explore should you have the time.

Happened upon this State Park on our visit to Coupeville, Washington. It was the best part of our visit! We sat on a pier and saw otters and seals right next to us. We hiked up several different trails on the mountain and walked by cliffs that overlooked a rocky beach. Very few people were there when we went on a Tuesday.

Beautiful! Wear good walking shoes. There is lots of uneven ground with tree roots and loose dirt, You can always walk back by way of the beach like we did. There were lots of fisherman fishing from the beach.

It's a nice park. Don't get me wrong, but it's not one of my favorites park. Nothing "dramatic" in my opinion. The view from the bridge is nice on a sunny day.

We only passed over the bridge but it was nearing sunset and we were astounded st the people trying to find a place to park, clearly a great viewing spot. The whole place is unusually lovely with steep cliffs tonthe water on both sides. Another time we would plan a stop and some time here.

Drive over inception pass bridge and stop in for picture taking. Beautiful scenery and park. The view from the bridge is awe inspiring and well worth the stop to look around. I'm not big on heights but this is truly a gotta do of you're in the area.

Amazing views, great place to take photos. We went with family and friends and would love to visit again. We had the opportunity to watch some Navy Growlers flying overhead.

A perfect spot for an afternoon outing. We drove north from Coupeville and found parking within the park. It was very busy on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Please remember to purchase your $10 Discovery Pass. We accessed several parks utilizing the one pass for the day.

Lots of amazing tree lined paths. Head to the bridge for extraordinary views! It's a little challenging with small children and dangerous with infants as the fencing is very low. It's quite a site and worth the effort. The beach was full of happy beach goers enjoying the days offering of sunshine and happiness. Lovely! Sparkly! Picture perfect

I was told about Deception Pass Park from a friend, and it did not disappoint. Between the water, the forest, and the accessibility to both, this place was truly magical. It is definitely on our list to go back - we didn't schedule nearly enough time there.

Loved our trip to Deception Pass. Beautiful views. Just stopped by and walked around and took pictures before going to Anacortes for the ferry. Beware we hit bad traffic backed up when leaving. Note that you can take a few routes from the park to the ferry. Park was quite busy when we visited on a weekend.

Deception Park is amazing with so much to see and so much to do. Our family enjoyed all the trails and beaches. Incredibly edu-taining!

First time there. Absolutely loved it. BEAUTIFUL PARK!! Great campground, I'll definitely be back. So many places around to explore.

$10 for discovery pass for a day - $30/year - we paid when we did the Goose Rock hike. It was a little steep but take some breaks, great views at the top.

Deception Bridge - you can walk over but railings are a little short, we elected not to walk over the bridges but several people were.

We drove over Deception Bridge and did a hike out to Lighthouse Point. Great views of the water and of the bridge. Not as steep as Goose Rock.

As a local, I sometimes take for granted just how gorgeous this place is. It’s easy to get frustrated by the traffic, but I try and sit back and realize that for someone outside of this area, it is truly a remarkable spot. A MUST if you are visiting anywhere north of Seattle.

On a girls trip, one of our first things to do was to check out the park and the Deception Pass bridge to capture a sunset photo. It was a bit chilly as you would expect at the end of February but we bundled up and took to the path down by the bridge. Sunset photos is a must do, even if you stand on the top of the bridge in the provided and protected walkway from traffic. The color of the water is a beautiful turquoise! Will definitely come back here to explore more trails (and there are many!) when the weather is a bit warmer. FYI, you will need a Discover Pass here but you also have the option to pay at the kiosk for a day pass.

We hiked up to the bridge from the park. It was an easy hike and the views are beautiful. You can walk across of the bridge..it has a pedestrian walkway

Our friend(s) advised us not to miss this since we had just done the Boeing factory tour. so we sped off to Deception pass state park and were really grateful that we came here. The view is simply amazing and deep down the confluence of Pacific Ocean meeting the lake caused some major whirlpools. It was a sight and treat to watch the seal enjoy their fishing regardless of the whirlpools!!

My husband, corgi puppy Molly and I are here now. The weather is nice....a slight marine layer this morning but it's been a nice 70 something degrees out. There's alot of trails to walk, places to paddle around our kayaks and a cozy mostly private campsite. The most impressive thing about this campground is the bathrooms. They are the cleanest I've ever ran across. The showers are great with alot of room to change without everything getting sprayed on. This is a place we'd come back to.

Mother Nature gave this park an upper hand on diversity of activities! Fishing, whale watching, camping, beach combing, bird watching, and more!

Parking is $10 near the Bridge. You walk down a bit to see the bridge amazing view from the beach. A nice break on my way to Anacortes to find out the ferry to Sydney was cancelled due to repair. I would stay longer and explore this Bridge area if I have more time.

and totally ruin/disturb the tranquility of this wonderful park. There is so much to do and see here. Love the beach with the awesome rocks … have you ever even paid attention to that? Gorgeous pieces of driftwood. You can hike, walk, kayak, camp, picnic. The choice is yours. It's really a park not to be missed but bring earplugs … just in case. It's really sad

2.5 hrs drive is not worth the view, whidbey island drive is good so if you are going by ferries, plan a visit but by road I won’t recommend.

We stopped at Deception State Park when we arrived at Whidbey Island. The views of the water and mountains were spectacular.

We went there for a camping trip just prior to Labour Day.
Plenty of spaces since we arrived on Monday afternoon.
The sites are fairly close together but the brush and vegetation is pretty thick, so, there is lots of privacy between sites.
The sites are nice and level, well maintained, easy to access. And they have a wide variety to choose from.
Nice swimming area at Cranberry Lake and a nice beach at the ocean side.
While the Ault Field planes were flying, it was not constant and was actually interesting.

This is a great place for a quick stop with great views or for long stop for hiking. Recommended by locals.

Great place to hike or hang at the beach. Our dog loved it too! There is limited parking though. Go early

If you don’t want to pay, coming from the north, park in the side of the road that looks like a turn out BEFORE you go over the bridge. Then walk a very short distance to the bridge and over it and the second one. Then go down the trail to the beach. We rock combed and through rocks in and enjoyed the beauty.

Great serene walk (.5-.9 miles one way) to a private beach. Enjoyed our time there. Very scenic view of the bay.

10 dollar day pass needed to use the park and walk the bridge. Its worth it. The scenery is breathtaking.

Beautiful state park with wonderful hikes, beaches, and bays that are perfect for kayaking and SUP boards!

Wonderful hiking trails up to the bridge for spectacular views and down to the water for whale-watching! We were lucky enough to spot one from West Beach, watching it roll & spray for almost an hour!

View is awesome. Construction on the bridge when we went, so one side was closed, but was worth the stop to take in.

It was a rainy, fall afternoon, and we literally parked and walked out onto the "rickety" bridge in time to see the sunset between the clouds. The color of the water, the gorgeous shoreline, and the power of the water all made for a gorgeous fifteen minute pitstop. I wish we had made it earlier so we could have explored some of the trails that went down the cliffside.

We're no strangers to this magnificant park (the state's second most-popular after Mount Rainier). I recommend that people drive into the park proper and park there, instead of in the tiny lot on the bridge's south side. The path from the beach in the main park to the bridge is well-maintained (although not for wheelchairs) and the steepness isn't too bad even for flat-landers.

Often, people have parked along the side of the road on the bridge's north side. That's not possible right now because of workers painting the bridge. The paint job has terrible signage for the many pedestrians. We walk halfway across the east side of the bridge (in the fog) only to see that it was closed to walkers because of the paint job. Then, on the other side of the bridge, the pedestrian path abruptly ends with construction work, and you don't know if you can bypass it. Simply terrible signage by the Washington DOT in a highly traveled area.

What's worse is that too many jerks assemble in the south parking lot without their masks, and then try walking the bridge maskless. Since's it's a very narrow sidewalk, that kind of rude and unsafe behavior is better left to Trump rallies.

This is truly a state park for all seasons. My family rented a cabin for Thanksgiving. We had a fabulous time. There's plenty of space for biking and playing. The trails are scenic and worth the walk.

Camped here for two nights and we will definitely be back! We stayed at the Quarry Pond campground. Most campsites are very private and on a ten day road trip this place had the nicest fellow campers - everyone saying hello and being respectful. The pond nearby is great and there is a convenience store just outside so you can actually walk to it if you need anything.

We were visiting Seattle and drove up to Anacortes for the day to go whale watching. We stopped at Deception Pass on the way and are glad that we did. The views here are incredibly beautiful. Breathtaking. Walk across the bridge if you can, on both sides, so you can take in all the views. A must see attraction if visiting the area!

I can only imagine what the first explorers thought when the cruised into this beautiful spot on Puget Sound. This is an amazing spot where history meets beauty. Lots of opportunities for outdoorsmen and history buffs. The bridges are a man made wonder coupled with God’s beauty

Gorgeous hike with stunning views of the water and the forest. Lot of picnic spots - some with covered shelter for rain. We went on a gorgeous day and had a nice hike. Cannot recommend enough - we will be back!

I have traveled extensively all over the world. On a sunny day, the view from the very high bridge is one of the most breathtaking scenes on earth I have the pleasure to enjoy on a regular basis as a resident of Washington.

I went here for a day trip and it and overall it was great. There was some traffic to get there, but the park has a lot to offer. There are a number of campgrounds, some parking and bathrooms are easy to find. The best part was that it is dog friendly, so we were able to walk along the beach and take some great pictures. Next time we'll probably try camping there.

A beautiful spot of earth, we unfortunately had fog, but it was still beautiful. We could go for a walk and would love to come back

A great place to enjoy the beaches, views and trails. Bring a picnic as there are no restaurants nearby. There are several different locations all part of Deception Pass State Park. If you have the time, each is worth a visit or just relax.

Visited this park several times. Hiking trails easily accessible, fishing, biking, picnicking. Best to buy a seasonal pass. weekends during the summer can be challenging so choose visits wisely. Great value especially if you have a family. Crabbing not that great unless you have a boat.

We didn’t actually visit the park, but stopped and walked across the amazing bridge and took in the views. A definite thrill and magnificent scenery.

Views don't get better then this! Amazing sunsets. Eagles fly. Seals below. Ships coming and going. Love the occasional Navy Jet flying. Really a breath taking area!

The Maiden of Deception Pass is as much a landmark as carved wood can be and is located at the top of the gangway leading from the float at Sharpe Cove. Beyond is Rosario Beach famous for tide pooling and driftwood.
sailingthesanjuans

We now live in the area and will be visiting here quite often. There are a few hikes you can do from the viewpoint, and they're all beautiful. You can't beat the PNW as far as greenery and scenery. From Deception Pass you get views of the water and the mountains. It's a don't miss stop.

This is such a fantastic place to see! You can walk the entire bridge and see the sites on both sides of the bridge! There are several hiking trails that are also there close by (from the parking lot!) Highly recommend!!!

I love visiting the park. Great walking trails. Going across the bridge and seeing the beautiful sites is amazing. I will never get tired of the view and the nature you see when walking the trails. Wear walking shoes and bring your camera. You will not be disappointed.

We go to Deception Pass every year. It is a great park, with many camping opportunities and some really fantastic views. The only place that i know of where you can eat lunch between a fresh water lake and the Pacific Ocean.
The weather is great (in the summer) of course because of this beauty and interesting spaces it is crowded....very crowded...very...crowded.
If you want to make a reservation you'll need to make it immediately when they open up. It is definitely worth a visit, just know parking is limited and it can be crowded at times.

My wife and I visited the Deception Pass state park today. We parked at the west beach and hiked to the north beach. This beach is great for the rock hound. Lots of beauty’s to be found. There is also a great view of the Deception Pass Bridge from the North Beach.

Construction on the bridge, people parked anywhere they wanted, single file on the bridge due to constrution. Scenery was nice(if you could see it)

Deception Pass is a stunning destination. It is breathtaking to see the views from on and around the bridge.

Terrific hiking, amazing views of cliffs and the bridge. I could spend hours there. Bonus: one evening, two humpback whales! The next evening, one grey whale!

Walking along the bridges, observing fantastic views near sunset is just so amazing. Hard to find word to describe it.

Holy cow! I live here so sometimes I forget how beautiful it is! Come see my home and tell me what you think!

Great state park. One of our favourites. Sites are good sizes with good privacy. Lots to see and do in a gorgeous setting. Good for tenters or trailers/RV. All sites have picnic table and fire pit. Wood can be bought on site. Beautiful beaches az well as fresh water lake. Can Kayak and fish. Some full service sites. Lots of hiking trails and pictuesque viewing vistas. Great for families and children. Lots of great places nearby to visit in Anacortes, Coupeville, Whidbey Island

This is an awesome park. Lots of waterfront for the kids a d peys to explore. Breathtaking scenery and nice hiking trails. A most see if our on Whidbey.

Nice for a beach stroll, bathrooms are convenient. There are several place where you can look out over the bay, including Rosario beach. The short hike up to the top of the hill has amazing views. Great place to just relax.

Having read about the bridge and the ability to walk all the way across, we stopped even though we didn't have time to hike the trails. As others have indicated, you need to be prepared for traffic that is whizzing by so near you could reach out and touch it. What we weren't prepared for was how much cooler it was here than in Coupeville where we had gotten off the ferry. Once we got out of the car, we went into the restrooms to put on an extra layer of clothes. This made for a more comfortable walk but .... we left those clothes on as we went into the Deception Bay area for kayaking - should have taken them off. Morale of the story is its only cold in September in the bridge area. It was a beautiful stop with great scenery - wish we had time to hike but kayaking in the bay was worth missing the hikes.

Hit this place up today, a beautiful sunny January day. Had a great little hike down to the beach. Then as we were heading off island the sun was setting so we grabbed a few more pictures. This place never disappoints!

The views from here were breathtaking. I was here two years ago on the same weekend and I thought it was beautiful then and it was cloudy and raining. This time is was beautiful sunshine and it was even more beautiful, which I didn't think would be possible. It was very windy though and when you went under the bridge it dropped about 20 degrees. I recommend a jacket for sure. Make sure you have your camera as you'll want lots of pics of these views.

Beautiful place for everyone to enjoy! The green turbulent waters of the Pass are mesmerizing. Be sure to look for Bald Eagles as they are often soaring above.

Just a little sleepy town in Pacific Northwest with exceptional parks, views, and experiences. Take a break from the Emerald City and venture up to Oak Harbor, WA.

This park is normally booked out months in advance so we were lucky to find a mid-week one night opening opening, which happened to be in the area of the park offering full hook ups. Cost was higher than for unserviced sites but we were just happy to have a place to stay. It had been many years since we had camped here.

The loop of sites with full hook ups is huge. Sites are very spacious and pretty private. Restroom facilities appeared to be renovated (they featured token-based pay showers - typical for WA state parks). We enjoyed looking at the various rigs, which were in contrast to our humble tent camping gear.

This is a very large park. We would have liked to spend more time exploring it, but as we only stayed a night, all we could fit in was a walk along Cranberry Lake.

There is a small store on site, as well as a cute trailer selling espresso coffees. Whidbey has lots of places to explore. On this trip we enjoyed a short stop in the historic village of Coupeville. The town of Oak Harbor is not far from the park - handy place to stock up on supplies.

One thing to be aware of is that there is a military facility next to the park. While you can't see it, you can definitely hear the planes right overhead at times. If you are sensitive to this type of noise, you might not like this location.

It would be nice to do a bit better advance planning so we could stay here for a few days next time.

Most of my complaints are not due to the park so I did not mark down for it, but it does effect your visit. Booked three spots in October for our Memorial Day family vacation. We were in 312, 313, and 314. We have a large dually truck and a 29’ trailer. Private spots, saw many not nearly as private, others more so. Our spot, 312, was clean, has plenty of room for us to set up camp and have some space. Park hosts were wonderful. Clean campground, offering many different types of spots: bike and walk ins, tent and smaller trailer as well as larger spaces. A lot of noisy campers but the hosts were great about enforcing the 10 o’clock quiet hours. The pond is a quaint spot for the kids to catch large mouth bass and some of the biggest bullfrogs and tadpoles I’ve ever seen. Clean bathrooms and showers. My biggest complaint is lack of signage of speed limits through park. People were flying through with vehicles and trailers. My biggest concern is some of the walk ups are of the more unsavory type and left needles laying around their site. The jets are incredibly loud, so be mindful of that when you book. Didn’t brother us any but we have a lot of children and are used to tuning out noise. Dump station is across highway by he cranberry lake sites. The actual park is gorgeous. Lots of trails, beaches are clean and of course the views! Roads are well maintained. Even Memorial weekend the beach wasn’t to crowded. The bridge, on the other hand, was very busy. All in all we enjoyed our trip. Probably won’t camp there again, just not our style, but would recommend to anyone looking to explore that area.

Beautiful park. Well worth the drive from Seattle. The beach is covered with smooth stones perfect for skipping rocks. The trails were in good condition and you could see Canada in the distance.

Beautiful park, excellent camping, and lots of trails to explore. The bridge is a little dicey walking over whilst the traffic passes mere inches beside.

Came here for the first time with my young family and friends. I can’t believe I haven’t been here before. Beautiful campgrounds with sites that will suit anyone’s needs.

Because the park is so big, you could be well over a km to walk down to the ocean. We were exactly 1km away and we walked down to the ocean everyday with my three girls and the youngest was 4. The ocean was cold! But we did go in. There was a lake right beside the ocean which was a bit warmer....more kids were swimming in there.

Could definitely bring a paddle board for either the ocean or the little lake. Lots of walking trails.

No WiFi just FYI.

Also having the fighter jets fly by everyday was amazing.....could be a bit loud for some people though

I have traveled here before but only when the weather was sunny. I assumed this would be equally amazing in the rain and it was! The fog misted over the bridge and you could see the fast moving water down below. It looked like a scene from Jurassic park. Very Nice I would love to camp here.

I'm fortunate enough to drive through this park regularly. In a word - amazing. The bridge is worth the trip by itself, with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and beyond. Sunsets here are priceless too. The hiking trails make this an easy half-day stop, it not more.

A side bonus. We followed an otter close to shore for some 30minutes. Rocky shoreline. Closed toed shoes recommended. Also a campground but we didn’t stay there. Great way to spend a few hours

Amazing views and beautiful scenery in full force at this park. The bridge is a must see from underneath. If you look for white balls in the trees, below the bridge, you may see a bald eagle fly by.

Amazing scenery. Great hiking areas and Rick beaches with driftwood to sit and relax watches the edd and flow

Was looking for a beach where the grandkids could swim. Had been to this park before to see Deception Bridge and never realized it also offered a very family friendly swimming lake. Many picnic tables, restrooms, and parking. The swimming area is roped off. Just follow the signs all the way to the parking area. You will need a Washington state park pass.

I have been coming to West Beach Deception Pass Park since I was little, for over 25 years. I have camped here in the past but decided to go again this year. We left 3 days early due to the jet pilots practicing their take offs and landings nonstop for hours, past 1:00am. The noise was torture. I do not recommend camping here if you like having conversations and enjoy nature sounds - all you will hear are the jets.

Beautiful water, cool place to take pictures. The bridge was really cool. You can fish and picnic. Nice atmosphere……..

I visited the Deception view National Park first. Overall some beautiful views on each side of the bridge. There are also some trails to get to other views.

Sparsely attended (on a weekday), a fantastic place to hike, see wild-life (what you'll see will vary day-by-day), enjoy the beach (with tidal pools), and see some CCC buildings. Hiking varies in difficulty, but generally is fine if wearing sneakers.

Beautiful location, but really horrible experience with the actual parks employees/services. I got there at 6pm, and the lady at the gate slammed the window in my face, saying she was closed, never once saw anyone drive around the campground. When I got to my assigned site, the previous guest had left literal food and garbage all over the site. They obviously don't even check between guests. We had issues with excessively loud neighbors and nothing was done, as I couldn't ever find any staff. Fighter jets fly DIRECTLY overhead, through all hours of the night, literally shaking the ground because it's so loud. The campground store sold me wood that literally looked like they picked it out of someone's fire after they left, every stick was already half burnt (see photo, along with the garbage/food I had to clean up before I could set up camp).

Very disappointing stay. Feels like the staff just don't get paid enough to care. Beach was nothing special. Do yourself a favor, skip this and go to Oregon.

We drove in from Anacortes over the Deception Pass bridge. We were able to snag a spot on the parking in the middle of the bridge at Pass Island and then walked down a short way to see the views from under the bridge. We definitely recommend seeing the view from up on/under the bridge before heading down to the park. In the park, we only had time for a short visit to the park itself. We drove down to the parking closest to North Beach and visited there. The beach has large rocks (like river rocks) which are fun for skipping. There were artists painting, and even one giving a class. The view from the beach of the bridge above is fabulous.

Stunning views, tons of trails, fishing, boating, camping, lots to like. There is good reason why this is the most popular state park in Washington. As such, it can get busy and parking near the bridge can be a challenge. If camping, strongly recommend making reservations. If kayaking, shooting the pass is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. Lakes provide a less stressful paddling experience. Facilities are well maintained and the Rangers and staff are great. A must do if you enjoy the outdoors and appreciate Mother Nature.

Deception Pass State Park - a great story with a great bridge. 180 feet to the bottom. A nice visit while in Anacortes, La Conner, etc.

Went over the deception pass bridge. Great views. Don't for get to get a park pass. It is required and helps out

Took the dec boat tour, only an hr, but saw lots of wild life including 4 separate bald eagles. I recommend that it is something that needs to be checked out.

If you are travelling from Seattle, cross the bridge and you will find parking immediatley on the right. Fees including parking is 10 dollars for a day and 30 dollars is yearly fee. There is short trail with intial stairs to go to the point where you can take beautiful photos.

Went to the Quarry Pond campsite with a travel trailer for the end of year long weekend. Got lucky on the weather. The stay was great and the campground hosts were fantastic. Lots of nature walks and bike rides with the toddler and tons of wildlife to see. We even got to see seals down by the deception pass bridge. Really nice time!

I have been to Deception Pass many times doing and seeing different things and was surprised to see that I have not reviewed it. I have heard for years that Deception Pass is the crown jewel of Washington State Parks and you won't get an argument out of me. This particular visit was mainly on the south side of the bridge. If you want some great views, Goose Rock is the highest point on Whidbey Island. The views are great, but all you see from there are to the south like towards Cranberry Lake. The trail up to the summit from the bridge short but tough. Going down the other side is a lot more challenging and would recommend going back down the way up. You can do a reverse trip on the perimeter trail to the summit, but the trip up might a bit much for some. It would be the way I came down. There are some nice views from the perimeter trail including Cornet Bay, Ben Urie Island, and on a less hazy day, Mount Baker. The North Beach and West Beach areas are both beautiful, but quite different. North Beach is more natural with great views of the bridge. West Beach is more open with sand dunes and Cranberry Lake. A short easy walk from here is the sand dunes trail. About a mile or so. It's flat, mainly paved, with great views of the water, and informative as well. It has nice wooded area as well leading back to Cranberry Lake. The one area in the park I didn't make it to is Hoypus Point, but that can be another day. This a very popular park for a reason. An off time might be better if you're not into crowds. Of course for the park, a Discover Pass or $10 a day is required. Deception Pass is more than worth it.

Deception Pass State Park offers something for everyone. Before you cross the bridge, drive down to Bowman Bay to hike along the cliffs with some spectacular views. Or just hang out at the beach, picnic or camp there too. Once you park, hike along the beach up to Lottie Point (maybe 1/2 mile loop) and then cross the marsh to Lighthouse Point (1 mile loop). The loops aren't long but can be a little steep with narrow paths. Dogs are welcome as long as you keep them on a leash. There are a few other hikes and then cross the bridge for more things to do. Don't miss out - truly amazing!

Walked across Deception pass bridge and it was so amazing. They are painting bridge which took a little from the pictures but the views are so incredible. The park has beautiful ferns, huge trees and amazing trails. This is a place you don't want to miss!

One day its beach weather, next day it's a scene right out of a movie. Love the day to day of experiences and beauty.

We visited the park and saw the most amazing views while eating our lunch. The beach and restrooms are clean as well

Deception Pass and the trails are beautiful with great view of the water. My husband and I parked along the road ventured over the bridge and down the stairs to see the underside of the bridge and beautiful views. When visiting Oak Harbor you have to go see this area and hike some of their trails. We went to a few but there are several more to see with beautiful forests.

We traveled early in the morning from Oak Harbor to Anacortes to catch the ferry to San Juan Island. On the way you pass over the double bridges at Deception Pass.

There is a place to pull over and park before you head over the first bridge and another place to park between the bridges.

There is a path that takes you down under the bridge. There is also a walkway on the bridge. It is a beautiful area, but might be a little scary if you are afraid of heights.

The view from the bridge is beautiful and the view of the bridge is beautiful.

It only takes a view minutes to stop, but it was a great photo op.

This place is expensive and you are packed in like sardines, but the worst is the constant super loud flyovers from the naval base, starting at 5 am. Visit for day use, but don’t stay the night.

We spent about 3 hours there, between hiking (easy/moderate) to the top of Goose Rock and then hanging out at North Beach (pebble beach). Beautiful spot, beautiful trails, great for photos from, on, and under the bridge.

There is lots to see and do here...I thoroughly enjoyed the bridge and hiking to see it from different perspectives.

Every time I stop at this place I am always impressed by the beauty of the area from the bridge to the state park on every turn you will find something new and wonderful. I was just driving by after having a dinner with friends and caught one of the most amazing sunsets from off the bridge.

The views are just astounding. Make sure, if you have time, to do the hiking in and around the park. If nothing else go to the west beach and put your toes in the sand. We wanted to watch sunset here but it didn’t work out, so sad.

We went to Deception Pass over spring break and the whole family had such fun! We did not stay at the park, opting instead to stay in Anacortes which is maybe 15 minutes away. We're glad we did, as Deception Pass can be noisy due to the military planes - not so bad during the day, but I can imagine it would be a problem at night. We first went to the North Beach area, which offers stunning views of the bridge. The beach is rocky with lots of areas to explore, and there are plenty of logs to rest on. We then went to the West Beach, which is a more traditional sandy beach. There are restrooms, which were clean and well stocked when we were there. After spending time on the beach, we walked on a nice trail by Cranberry Lake, which is also beautiful. There are other hiking trails and an amphitheater that we didn't have time to explore. Deception Pass is definitely worth a visit - just remember a Discovery Pass is required to enter the park ($10/day or $30/annual)

Breath taking views, beaches, campsites, etc. what more could you ask for. Lot's of shade to keep the sun of your head.

One of the most stunning views ever!!! With plenty of pull-off area, we were blown away. There are 4-5 different views ... make sure you walk over the bridge and enjoy the beauty from all sides. There are mountains in the background from one angle, the sea from another and gorgeous rock formations! It was magical!

The views are very impressive and when you park on the small island in the middle, between the two bridges, you don't need to pay parking / SP

I have camped at this park for almost 30 years, starting when my children were in grade school (they are now in their 30's). It has everything: Old Growth trees, blad eagles, a freshwater lake that you can swim, fish or paddle around in by canoe or kayak; a lovely beach for kite flying, reading or picnicking; miles upon miles of trails along the shore or through the forests; very nice spacious campsites that are excellent for tents or RVs of all sizes; proximity to Anacortes and shopping to get last-minute items; the ocean and Deception Pass with its incredible tidal rapids and the big suspension bridge. Fabulous!

Beautiful waterfront park - stopped for a short visit. Went to both the west (much larger) and north beaches.

This was my second visit to Deception Pass State Park. I enjoyed even more, because I got to take a couple of small hikes. I love the dramatic vistas of the park and pass, but the haze clouded the more stunning views. Definitely worth the short drive from Seattle if you’re visiting. I also visited La Conner and took a stroll and shopped on their Main Street.

Beautiful views any time of day. They are doing some repairs right now. Also, Be careful because there are some perilous areas.

We had a team-building event for crabbing off the piers. There is a nice hike to a beach park, with breathtaking scenery along the way. We also had boiled fresh shrimp from a well-known local store.

Scary beautiful bridge view of the pass; great photo ops. Parking an issue sometimes in the summer season. Great on stormy days for drama, can get windy!

This is a very large State Park on both sides of Deception Pass. You should first stop at the welcome center at the main entrance on the south side of the park and pick up a map so you can decide where you want to go, what you want to see and perhaps where you want to hike. It is a great source of necessary information.The hikes along the north and west beeches are both very nice and easy as well. On the north side featured our favorite hike of the day, out to Lighthouse Point with great views of Deception Pass and the two bridges. There is also a parking area just past the bridges on the south side which give you easy access to walking on the bridge (fairly low railing and a narrow path between that railing and the traffic but if you are OK with that, it affords some great views and photos. There is limited parking near the bridge on the north side due to ongoing construction, which can also cause massive delays if you are unlucky with when you are there.

Visited deception pass state park in the morning at around 6 am, lots of parking, beautiful. Not sure if it gets crowded later.

Highly recommend taking the stop to see this beautiful area! There have flushing bathrooms and plenty of parking

Our son who was stationed at Whidbey Island took us to site see and hike deception pass. My mother came with us from Texas as she retired from teaching after 40 years and we informed her she would be making this trip with us. The day was beautiful and the cold wind gave us the clean, fresh and salty smell of the Pacific Ocean. My mother and I walked across the bridge to enjoy the view. I am so glad she went on this trip with us. Making memories of a lifetime. If you decide to walk make sure you wear a jacket as the cool wind does chill your body. Don't forget your camera for the breaking views. This is a "Must see" if you are in the Anacortes or San Juan area!! The smile on my beautiful mother's face says it all!! We love WA!!

This review is specifically for the Quarry Pond campground in Deception Pass State Park. We were so pleasantly surprised. The google reviews I found made it sound like this place was mid - but I can’t tell you how pleasant this campground is. Its clean and so nice. When I think of good camping — I think of birds chirping, lush greenery and the luscious smell of campfires… well Quarry Pond checks all and more. We were with our van and in a partial hook up site but that was just fine w us. The dump station was a 5min drive and the bathrooms were clean and just a short pleasant stroll from where we were. Multiple hikes and beaches nearby, a store w everything you needed incl growlers. Our site was a great size and gave us enough privacy and shade during the day. I would definitely go back.

Beautiful place to visit and see. The view from the Pass bridge is outstanding. The staff is friendly and helpful. I live about 5 miles from the park and see it all the time.

Just a gorgeous bridge and scenery. The pedestrian walk across the bridge is superb. Looking down is somewhat scary for those who are afraid of height but you will have a most wonder view from both sides of the bridge. Water framed by the pine trees on one side and rock formation on the other side. Mixture of green and blue color water frames against the blue sky. God's gift!

Great all around park with beautiful views toward the San Juan Islands. Varying options to explored for hiking and beach combing.

There are great beach walks on both sides of the pass - and West Beach offers miles of incredible sandy beach walks. Enjoy the sunsets - wow!

This is a great place for hiking. We were there in the rain, and it was still a lot of fun. There were a lot of beautiful picture opportunities and the nature that you can see is phenomenal. Definitely a must see in this part of Washington state.

Pay to down into the State Park. Lots of old growth trees, ferns, and an easy walk down to the water. For us it was big highlight of our vacation and highly recommended.

We stopped in just to look really fast and use the bathroom as it was raining really hard here.
Really was nice, will have to come back when the weather is great

This is one of the best attractions to the Pacific Northwest. There are wonderful campsites and 2 beaches on which to go fishing. Parking is accessible. The outside bathrooms could use some updating but otherwise a wonderful place to visit.

We had a 2 night stay reserved at the Quarry Pond campsite. It was so awful we left first thing in the morning after just one night there. The campsites are super small and packed right next to each other. Don't expect any privacy here. You are also right next to a highway so you will hear cars and trucks driving by all night long. I could have stayed in the city if I wanted am experience like this. I truly can't understand how this state park has so many positive reviews. We will not be planning any return trips.

Great hike (40 minute round trip) from Bowman's Bay to Rosario Beach. Great views of Whidbey Island, Fidalgo Island, and Puget Sound.

We’ve lived in Oak Harbor for a little under a year now, and have been to and through Deception Pass quite a bit. There’s a lot to do from both the Whidbey & Fildalgo side, & of course the great views from the Pass itself. There’s lots of camping and hiking, nice beaches, and more than plenty of opportunities for the perfect selfie. Deception Pass is busiest during the summer (#1 State Park in Washington), so it may take a few drive bys to find parking near the bridge. Also, cell phone coverage is pretty non existent in the area so plan ahead for that if you’re hiking or camping.

Walking around the bridge area isn’t the greatest with kids, especially if you’re trying to push a stroller cause there’s only enough room for one person to walk at a time, so a stroller is a huge hassle. If you have a pack to through your kiddo in, it’d be a lot easier on you and everyone.

We came here on a beautiful day and it was awesome. If you don't have a Discovery Pass then it costs $10 a day.

We first went to Rosario Beach where we met two volunteer rangers who were telling us all about the tide pools. Our two oldest were so excited to ask all kinds of questions. Then we went and looked at the tide pools and it was incredible. This part of the beach also has a little walk (0.25) and we did this loop and you could look over the cliffs if you wanted to see below. There are lots of picnic spots here and we had our lunch after our walk.

Afterwards we went across the bridge and then parked near Cranberry Lake and walked Goose Rock Perimeter Trail, this was such a good trail. Our two oldest walked the whole way and our youngest was in a pack. This was such a great trail; so much to see.

If you are looking for an all day event to do with your family I would highly recommend this park, it was a such a great day trip!

We recently camped for a weekend at the Quarry Pond campgrounds associated with the State Park but located across the road from the main park area. The park is beautiful and we enjoyed exploring one day taking hikes and walking along the shore line. Campground was nice. All different kinds of sites including some cabins. We stayed in our travel trailer and had good hooks up with water and electricity. Campground seemed pretty clean and stayed quiet during the night hours. Bathrooms were stocked and clean for a campground. Showers required tokens one for three minutes. Once water warmed up they were good. One complaint about our site was how people liked to use it as a short cut to the bathroom. Nothing more distracting while enjoying time with family to have others walking right through the site. It is located fairly close to a busy highway also so you do hear around of road noise at night when things are quiet.

My friend & I have been doing destination hikes and chose Deception Pass for our walk. We opted for the walk around Cranberry Lake, down the beach to the bridge then up to street level and back to parking lot.
Trails are very well maintained in about 95% up in the woods. There is a stretch of steep terrain over some rocky spots. Scenery is incredible and varied- lake, sound, woods, beach. One of my favorite destination hikes.

This is a great spot for viewing sunsets out towards Vancouver Island or back towards Mount Baker for alpenglow. Nearby Anacortes is great for dinner as is La Conner on the way back to I5.

Just got back from four days in the forest loop with a 22 foot travel trailer. We loved this location although we were as far from the beach as you could be on this side of the park. This is a great spot to start your exploration of the park and Whidbey Island. We hiked, biked and swam in Cranberry Lake.

Excellent place to visit and watch ships come in weather at the end of July was perfect just traffic if horrible in Seattle

We enjoyed easy trails to overlooks and down to the water's edge. We walked along the long beach, and around a small lake. The park is wonderful a wonderful place to visit with your picnic lunch, with your fishing gear, or with your camera. Something for everyone.

Cannot get enough of this location. Traveled under the bridge in a ship, over many times, walked across and under. Hiked to the beach. Leave about 2 to 3 hours to visit this location so that you will not have to rush. With a breeze blowing most of the time, you can easily visit and stay safe pandemic or not. Best time is evening in the summer months for the views around 6 to 10pm is best June , July August.

Gorgeous views from multiple points! Walk across the bridge in either direction, and you'll get a sense of how gast the current is moving its breathtaking! There are numerous points you can park and take on varied views near the ranger station and cranberry lake or along the beaches just beneath the bridge. Trails on the woods and picnic tables. Our favorite park!

Trails for all levels of hikers & stunning views along so many points of the park. Popular so parking can be hard to find so go early & enjoy before it gets chaotic!

Great place for families or for solo visitors. Clean and comfortable campground, nice day picnic area, breathtaking views, and a shallow warm lake next to the campground ( on top of the great ocean views/beaches)

Camped for four nights at beautiful Deception Pass State Park. Though flanked by a road along Cranberry lake, the road was not visible from the camp site. Unlike many of the others, our site was private and featured a nice view of the lake. There were no mosquitoes, though one night there were a few no-see-um types (which however did not seem to bite). There were plenty of birds and small mammals around; robins, eagles soaring by (one time persistently chasing a seagull over the lake), nuthatches, juncos, chipmunks and small rabbits. Amenities were the best ever, with flush toilets and warm, clean showers. Another bonus was that fires were still allowed within pits. The park was very well maintained.

On the second day we hiked along the park beach a bit, up the cliff to the bridge. The next day we did the longer Ebey's landing loop (south of the park) along the grassy, wood topped cliffs and back along the beach and around the lagoon.

Throughout the visit there was a haze, mostly apparently smog from fires far away, which at least had a cooling affect. The park was very clean, hardly any garbage to be seen, the campers friendly and very quiet at night.

Lovely spot and trails lead to lovely beaches where you can search for seaglass, shells and rocks.. Lots of neat driftwood for photo ops

We loved staying here for 2 nights. We had the most beautiful sunsets two nights in a row. It was a highlight of our Washington Coast trip. The bridge, the beach, the lake, the paths through the trees, the air force planes. Super cool place. Campsites are well spread out and private.

The nature is breathtaking, definitely worth coming and exploring. Crossing over the bridge was amazing, different every time with fog sometimes covering parts of the view and some days not. Crossing is often very busy as there are tons of tourists taking photos, keep in mind. The beach is gorgeous, we spent a lot of time just sun bathing, but not swimming as the water was freezing. There is also a lake nearby, Cranberry Lake, some people swam in it, but it was not very appealing for us so we did not.
I stayed at Quarry Pond camp with my husband and a teen daughter this summer, Aug 2018, for a week. The camp itself was ok. Spots vary a lot, some are very small and some are bigger, partial privacy, a bit squished. What we liked about it was that we had power and water on our camp site. The camp has only one washroom facility with a couple of paid showers and a few stalls. I wish there were few more scattered around. To get to the beach you do not have to drive, although we did, but have to cross a busy, highway street. I would say if you decided to go camping in the area try to find a spot at the Cranberry Lake Campground that is by the beach. Also keep in mind that there is a Navy base on the island with military planes flying every day, all day. Some days they were flying every few minutes from around 9:30 in the morning until about 10:30 at night. If you are looking for peace and quiet you will not get it there I am afraid.
In conclusion I would say, the area is well worth visiting, but a day or a weekend trip is preferred.

Deception Pass is a beautiful place to hike and simply enjoy being outdoors. We had a great hike to Lighthouse point. Beautiful views of the water and bridge.

This is a fantastic Park! there a a ton of trails to follow but we love the beach! There are two of them, one requires a .1 of a mile walk and the other you can drive right up to!! the one with a short walk has tons of rocks to look at and collect! The other has a huge sandy beach!!

About one hour drive north from Everett, this wonderful location by the sea is one of the many spots for a family day out. The park offers a good infrastructure you can book in advance. You pay US$ 10 for parking (cash only). The views are breathtaking.

The iconic, historical bridge connects Fidalgo Island and Whidbey . It's the most visited park in the state for good reason - it's a beautiful area with great views from either side. The park covers almost 4,000 acres of a diverse ecosystem. There's camping and picnicking and a beach plus jet boat tours. Ignore the passing traffic and imagine it before modern civilization arrived. Wow!

beautiful campground near Deception Pass, with many trails available for short hikes, as well as beautiful beachcombing opportunities. Our sites, Cranberry Lake 29 and 30, were situated in old growth forest yet was an easy walk down to both the lake and the ocean. Bathrooms were clean, with token showers, and firewood was available at the camp store. We visited the nearby Bowman's Bay park as well as Rosario Beach. Many dining opportunities in Anacortes or Oak Harbor as well as La Connor (calico cupboard's cinnamon rolls!)

If you have a car, it is worth visiting. Only 2 hours from Seattle. The view and the drive is beautiful. You can also take a ferry back to Seattle to experience the ferry.

We took the Deception Pass to Lighthouse point trail, which was about 2 miles. We had two kids with us ages 9 and 6. None of us are expert hikers, but the hike was not hard. We were all amazed at beautiful vistas that were practically around every turn. This park offers a way to see beautiful natural settings without a lot of effort.

We made a quick stop and thoroughly enjoyed the views! Walked out onto the bridge and down closer to the water. The views were definitely worth the slight detour.

The only downside is that there is construction on the bridge & 1 of the parking lots is closed which makes finding parking a little tricky. Nevertheless, the views are stunning. Will definitely be coming back.

Deception Pass State Park & Bridge is an amazing place to visit. The view from the bridge is absolutely incredible, and there are numerous trails under the bridge, leading to the beach. This is a great place to visit, you can spending hours here to taking in the scenery and walking the trails. This is a great place to visit solo or with friends and family.

Thought we would just stop at the bridge for a photo but ended up in the park for several hours. The bridge view is amazing, and you can walk several different trails near there. We then headed out and turned into the park and luckily ended up at the beach we saw from the bridge for an amazing sunset. Wish we had gotten there earlier so we could have seen more of the park. Will definitely return.

Deception Pass State Park was great! I traveled to the area to paddle Deception Pass for a few days, which was amazing. The park is close to the public marina where we launched. One could also launch easily directly from the park as well. Camp sites were beautiful, with ours being the home of a GIANT Douglas Fir. Rest rooms and showers were clean and convenient to the campground. Camp fees covered parking at the marina. There were many easy hikes within the park and coffee at sunrise on a north facing beach was super nice. Get reservations if you are able!

We stopped by the Deception Pass State Park and were pleasantly surprised. Nice area with a gift shop and good scenic views, especially overlooking the bridge to get some scenic views of the beach and beautiful water. Lots to do there.

Amazing views from the highway, especially on a clear day. Lots of trails on and off the beach on both sides of the bridge. Includes Bowman Bay and don't miss the Indian Legend at Rosario Beach -- the statue and story are massive, so you can't miss them!

After leaving Whidbey Island, we stopped by Deception Pass State Park on our way to Vancouver BC Canada. We paid the parking $10, walked thru the trails to get to the beach and saw the most dramatic / amazing views especially with the fogs in the morning yet! This is a most see if you are in the area but do bring a jacket as it's still cool in the morning!

There were lots of
pretty views .. there were crowds at the lagoon..seems like one of the more touristy places.

Breathtacking views of Deception Pass just prior to crossing the bridge. There is a view point to facitate photo ops. and just or just enjoy the scenery before you make the crossing. Lovely site to enter the Island.

This is a must see if in the area! We parked down at the park near the beach then hiked up to the bridge. Afterward we continued hiking to Summit Point all in all it was .8 one way to hike. We had two young kids with us who hiked it with us. There are some steep areas to get up on the way there so you'll definitely get a workout. The view is amazing! We then hiked back down to the beach which was beautiful. I wish we could've spent more time hiking here. Definitely worth the stop.

A definite stop for a breathtaking day! We love going to deception Pass park. There’s something for everyone. There’s small hikes and larger hikes. There’s Sandy beaches and rocky beaches. There’s picnic tables and barbecue pits as well as covered shelters. There’s lots of camping spots available (by reservation only) there’s handicap parking available. Cranberry lake is right next to the ocean. The lake is a non-motor lake. It’s lots of fun for canoeing or kayaking. There’s a swimming area available in the warmer times of the year. There’s an abundance of wildlife to see (birds, ducks, geese, turtles, frogs, fish cranberry lake is right next to the ocean. The lake is a non-motor lake. It’s lots of fun for canoeing or kayaking. There’s a swimming area available in the warmer times of the year. There’s an abundance of wildlife to see (birds, ducks, geese, turtles, frogs, fish“). Just passed the sandy beach you’re facing Puget sound and the Straight of Juan de Fuca. The sandy beach can get really beautiful waves. There’s a fantastic large rock to climb on at the corner of the actual pass. You can find agates on occasion. Head around the corner and you’re in deception pass itself. There’s some beautiful beaches there as well with lots of logs to climb on and play with. You can see the glacier scars on some of the rocks as you go further towards the bridge. There’s even a blowhole you can see when the tide is right. North of the deception Pass bridge is Bowman Bay and Rosario Beach. They have fantastic beach areas there. I will write about them in another post
All photos taken by myself, Kim Larsen

My wife and I had to stop to view the scenery of Deception Pass and the very unique bridge than spans to Whidbey Island. The scenery is wonderful and unique as we watched the the tidal waters churn about. To avoid paying the $10 parking charge park in the pull outs along Highway 20 and exercise due care as your walk about.

We explored and camped at Deception Pass. The camp sites are nestled in the middle of so many tall trees and the ferns are ginormous. Thane a walk along the water and enjoy the views. This is just a beautiful park.

I haven't visited Deception Pass since I was a kid but today I went with my friends and it was really pretty. Parking was not too difficult to find on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm. The walk to the beach was pretty easy and doable. However, we brought drinks and food with us and there were a lot of wasps trying to attack our food. Basically the whole time we were there, wasps were trying to get into our drinks and food so we had to trap them. Otherwise, the views were beautiful and would visit again but be careful of the wasps at the beach.

Just wonderful! My family (adult kids) visited in March. It was a crisp sunny day. I think it was the first sunny weekend after cold and dreary weeks. Even then, we didn't bump on a lot of people. We only queued a bit for the ferry going home the next day. So, there were nice views. There are some trails, long and short, that you can walk on. Of course, you can walk the bridge. Only a short drive from Seattle. And there were some quaint small towns around Whidbey Island that you can grab lunch. Very much recommend!

If you have not visited Deception Pass State Park in the Pacific Northwest, pack your hiking shoes and plan on going there. The park has several points from where you can do different hikes - from easy (20-30 minutes) to strenuous (4-6 hours). The rangers at the information center (towards the south of the park) are helpful in assisting with your planning - based on the time you have and the level that you are interested in.

Lovely and peaceful park. Spent the morning walking the beaches and photographing some herons fishing and flying. Saw a few orcas from the bridge!

This park is spectacularly beautiful, but there are points that visitors should be aware of and exercise appropriate caution with. First and most obvious. The bridge over the pass provides a breathtaking view of the cliffs, the Puget Sound, and the tide ripping through the narrow pass (when you are there at the right time). However, parking is very limited and traffic is not. Scope out a map before you go so you know your options for parking before you get there. The lot next to the bridge is often full. Turning around is difficult because of the high volume of traffic going to and from Whidby Island. Second, the bridge is quite narrow. It is old, so when it was built, not much attention was given to the proximity of pedestrians to traffic. Again the bridge is Quite Busy, and people are in a hurry to pass over it. Be very careful! This is not a recommended experience for wheelchair-bound people. And small children need Very Stringent Control for thier safety. Thats the bridge. Inside the park on both ends of the bridge, adventurous people are tempted to go check out the cliffs and make their way down to the water off the trails. Not a good idea. This is a place that those kinds of people lose their lives every year. Steep, slick, and crumbly rocks catch people offguard and send them to the hospital or an early grave. Just stay on the trails, people. They put the trails in strategic locations to take in views safely, and get you to the beach in the same way. Enough negativity. This is an incredibly spectacular, small park! Go see it! give yourself a few hours to a full day to go explore. Or if you are lucky enough to get a camp site, do that. Just use your common sense when you are there. And keep close tabs on small kids.

There is a beautiful beach on the west end of the park. You can start at the west end and walk around to the bridge.

Camped in nearby state part campsite - Thursday night was good, but Friday night was very busy and many campers did not follow good camping manners - people were often walking through our campsite. There were camp maps, but needed to ask for one at the park gate. The park itself is beautiful - sunset at the bridge is amazing, but would recommend going down the water side to see the best sunset as opposed to crossing the bridge. (When you enter from the parking lot, go down the steps and stay to your left) There are better view down there that we saw after the sun set

We had such a great time celebrating our marriage. The park was peaceful and clean. Watching others enjoy this park was fun too

we had a good time. crabbing, kayaking and hiking. great weather and shopping is not very far away. close to a few cities and good resturants.

We loved the views and the hiking. Not very busy first thing in the Morning. We purchased a Discover Pass for $30 for a year to visit Washington State Parks.

My wife and I enjoyed our visit to Deception Pass State Park. We parked down by the little north beach and started off by following the trail to Goose Rock summit. This was 0.4 miles on from the bridge. Bit of a slog. Could see for a long way all round but views rather spoilt by all the power lines. We headed back to walk along the bridge - great views in both directions. Took the underpass at one end and then walked back on the other side. Lots of traffic crossing the bridge. We then walked down to the pretty little north beach to look at the bridge from beneath - appreciate what an engineering challenge it would have been to build. Tried to start a trend of making stacks of pebbles on a fallen log. Taught an American family about this beach tradition - half an hour later they were still at it!

Be sure and walk the bridge. Use the stairs at both ends of the longer span to cross so you can walk both sides. Narrow sidewalk right next to traffic so leave your pets in the car and hold on to your kids! Be sure and walk down to North Beach. Great view and very cool walk in the forest.

This is a review of the Quarry Pond campground. Although there are only 4 showers (2 male, 2 female) for all 61 sites, they are never too busy and always kept clean. The sites are good size, most have hookups and are very accessible from the main road. The nearby naval station is a big downside because of the frequent flights that are super low and super loud. Not too many mosquitos, though.

We are flexible people but we also have two young kids and a dog. We had no clue that the air traffic was like this. It was terrifying for our youngest daughter and our dog. Think Blue Angels except above the tree line while you're camping. Can be in the early morning or at night. It was INSANE. We drove 3 hours back home the next day cuz it was just not enjoyable. And the beaches are lovely but this place is crowded. If you want some peace and quiet and would like to enjoy camping without military planes or hundreds of people, go elsewhere. There are tons of great places in Washington! Sadly, we will probably not come back.

Deception Pass State Park is as good as it possibly gets. The scenery is unmatched, the location is idyllic and what other place gives you immediate access to both the ocean and a small adorable lake? Stop reading and start booking your next camping trip to this incredible piece of nature. It’s an absolute treasure.

We parked in the State Park and hiked to the bridge. It was quite the hike for me only 3 weeks post abdominal surgery. I did it, but not without some discomfort. For anyone not recovering from a total hysterectomy, it is totally doable.

The hike was in the shade of some beautiful trees and foliage. The view from the bridge was spectacular.

Take the time to go to the beach as well. I found that was the most pleasing part of the time we spent there.

We were able to bring our dog too. Just have to keep them leashed and pick up after them. You know like a responsible human.

Spent some time at Deception Pass doing some hiking and having a picnic. The scenery was beautiful and it was so peaceful sitting by the water having lunch. The park is very clean and it’s a great was to spend time with friends or family. The bridge walk is definitely a sight to see!

Great park with almost 40 total miles of hiking trails. Beautiful beaches where you can see seals and other wildlife. Trails are well maintained and easy to walk on, but they are natural, so plenty of tree roots, etc to be aware of, especially for older folks.