Deception Pass State Park
Notice: Burn Ban Level 2 — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- parks.wa.gov(360) 675-3767
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 6
Fire restriction Burn Ban Level 2Wood fires restricted to fire pits in designated areas. Gas and propane allowed. Charcoal may be restricted.
Posted by the park 2026-09-14. Official alert
Partial closure Part of the Park is ClosedAll the roads within the Cranberry Lake area of Deception Pass will be closed on October 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM for the Swing the Gates… (more)
All the roads within the Cranberry Lake area of Deception Pass will be closed on October 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM for the Swing the Gates 5K Run. Vehicle entry or exit will not be allowed into West Beach or Cranberry Lake Campground during this hour. All vehicles must remain in their campsite or parking spot during this hour. An emergency exit route will be available if necessary. 5K Run Information
Posted by the park 2026-10-29. Official alert
Water quality Water ClosureDue to toxic levels of algae, Pass Lake will be closed to fishing, people and pets, until further notice.
Posted by the park 2026-08-27. Official alert
Construction ConstructionNovember 2, 2026, through November 13, 2026, the lower Bowman Bay parking lot will need to be closed. Parking will be available at the Upper Bowman… (more)
November 2, 2026, through November 13, 2026, the lower Bowman Bay parking lot will need to be closed. Parking will be available at the Upper Bowman Bay parking lot, which will be open on the weekend, and may, potentially, cause limited parking. The restroom in this area has been closed for the winter.
Posted by the park 2026-10-05. Official alert
Alert GeneralBowman Bay and West Beach area have restrictions for vehicles and trucks with trailers over 25' in length due to limited maneuverability.
Posted by the park 2026-08-25. Official alert
Partial closure Part of the Park is ClosedApproximately 150 feet of the northeast corner of the West Beach ADA Trail has been washed out, due to recent storms, and is no longer accessible.
Posted by the park 2025-12-30. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 4,108 acres, Deception Pass State Park lies in Island County, about 6 miles south of Anacortes.
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and showers. There are also cabins for rent.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other — Summer | Daily | 6:30 a.m. – sunset | — |
| Other — Winter | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
Summer: 6:30 a.m. - Dusk
Winter: 8:00 a.m. - Dusk
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Discover pass: Annual Pass | $45 · year |
| One-day Pass | $10 |
| Moorage - Docks and buoys | $23 |
| Moorage - Docks and buoys | $1 |
| Watercraft Launch Fee | $7 · boat |
| Trailer Dump Fee | $5 |
| Overnight Unattended Vehicle Fee | $10 |
Official wording
Discover pass: • Annual Pass: $45 • One-day Pass: $10 • Moorage - Docks and buoys: $23 for buoy, $1 per vessel foot for dock • Watercraft Launch Fee: $7 for the day • Trailer Dump Fee: $5 per use • Overnight Unattended Vehicle Fee: $10 per night
Washington park passes
- Discover Pass (annual) — $45. Day-use vehicle access to state parks (and DNR/WDFW lands) Details
- Discover Pass (one-day) — $10. Day-use vehicle access for one day Details
From the Washington state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Camis (washington.goingtocamp.com)
- Phone
- (888) 226-7688
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs Allowed on Leash • Dogs Allowed on Leash
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Camping amenities listed: Accessible Campsites, Double campsites, Showers, Trash Service, Trailer Dump
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Deception Pass Cabinshttps://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/deception-pass-state-park/deception-pass-cabins
Cornet Bay Retreat Center
Cornet Bay Retreat Center located within the iconic Deception Pass State Park offers plenty of space for large meetings and group activities. This space offers spectacular views of Mount Baker and Cornet Bay.
Rentals: Deception Pass Cabins
Things to do
BikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCampingFishingGeocachingHikingCanoeing and kayakingMountain bikingSnorkeling and scubaSwimmingPicnickingHorseback riding
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail | 0.8 mi | — | The Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail is a 0.8 mile paved ADA loop. This trail has a series of interpretive panels providing information about the seaside vegetation unique to this area and includes an observation deck.Accessible |
| Pacific Northwest Scenic Trail access | 200 mi | — | The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT) is a 1,200-mile-long footpath through some of the most spectacular and scenic terrain in the United States. It stretches between the shores of the Pacific Ocean in the Olympic National Park and connects all the way to the Rocky Mountains in Montana. At Deception Pass State Park, you can hop onto the PNT to enjoy sweeping views from the summit of Goose Rock or explore nearly ten miles of the trail system. Plan your trip by visiting the Pacific Northwest Trail website. |
Trail descriptions from the park
Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail
The Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail is a 0.8 mile paved ADA loop. This trail has a series of interpretive panels providing information about the seaside vegetation unique to this area and includes an observation deck.
Pacific Northwest Scenic Trail access
The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail (PNT) is a 1,200-mile-long footpath through some of the most spectacular and scenic terrain in the United States. It stretches between the shores of the Pacific Ocean in the Olympic National Park and connects all the way to the Rocky Mountains in Montana.
At Deception Pass State Park, you can hop onto the PNT to enjoy sweeping views from the summit of Goose Rock or explore nearly ten miles of the trail system. Plan your trip by visiting the Pacific Northwest Trail website.
Swimming
Swimming
Go for a swim from the beach or, if you are an experienced diver, explore the wonders beyond the shore at Deception Pass. Swimming is allowed in designated areas only.
Tide pools
To protect the Rosario Tide Pools follow the yellow rope trail, do not touch or remove creatures. Large groups such as schools, homeschool, or summer camps should contact park staff at DeceptionPass.Interpreter@parks.wa.gov prior to their visit.
No pets are allowed in the tide pool areas.
Boating and paddling
Boating
Set on the dynamic shores of Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands, Deception Pass has ample water activities.
Boaters may take advantage of more than 1,100 feet of dock and 1,980 feet of moorage. There's both freshwater and saltwater boating opportunities from five watercraft launches.
White water kayaking and sailboarding -- for the seasoned paddler and boarder, is popular around the island and under the spectacular Deception Pass Bridge.
Please note, due to unsafe conditions, the Bowman Bay pier is closed indefinitely.
Fishing
Crabbing and fishing
Crabbing and both fresh and saltwater fishing are popular at Deception Pass. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington State Parks. For regulations, fishing season information, or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Parking
- Amphitheater
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
Lodging
- Cabins
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible campsites
- Accessible trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible campsites
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible trails
Accessible facilities listed: Accessible Campsites, Accessible Restrooms, ADA Buildings, Accessible Parking, Accessible Trails
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
- Dogs Allowed on Leash
- Horses Allowed
Bowman Bay
Due to unsafe conditions, the Bowman Bay pier is closed indefinitely. The boat launch is also closed indefinitely to trailered vessels. Kayaks, paddle boards and canoes have access to the launch.
The trail between Lottie Point Loop and Lighthouse Point Loop at Bowman Bay has sustained storm damage. Part of the trail has been washed away, and the walking bridge has been damaged by rising tides and large driftwood. You may walk around this area, on the beach.
West Beach parking area
No trailers, motorhomes, busses or other vehicles over 25 feet long will be allowed to enter the West Beach parking area due to limited parking resulting from winter storm damage. Busses may drop off passengers at the West Beach Parking lot and park in the East Cranberry Lake Parking lot. This closure includes the Cranberry Lake boat launch area.
Click here to learn more about the storm damage.
Winter Schedule
Getting there
- Address
- 41229 State Route 20
Oak Harbor, WA 98277 - Nearest town
- Anacortes — about 6 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 48.3973, -122.6460
- Phone
- (360) 675-3767
- Deception.Pass@parks.wa.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Washington State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Washington State Parks Find Parks directory (paged Drupal view), joined to WSPRC ParkBoundaries ArcGIS layer for coordinates/category
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
- Photo: Toxic algae of Pass Lake.jpg — CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), PinchyCC
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology