Deception Pass State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located in Western Washington, Deception Pass State Park is a picturesque marine and camping park and the most popular state park in all of Washington. The 3,854-acre park is perhaps most known for its iconic bridge, which overlooks Puget Sound and several beautiful islands. Deception Pass State Park is also home to mysterious coves, towering cliffs, breathtaking views, serene beaches, and diverse wildlife species. The lush park, which is actually located on two islands, boasts 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline, three lakes, and numerous hiking trails winding through dense woodlands.
Nearby Cities:
Mt. Vernon, WA
Bellingham, WA
Everett, WA
Seattle, WA
Spring 39-60 F
Summer 50-67 F
Fall 38-62 F
Winter 36-50 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Deception Pass State Park
Campground Accommodations
Deception Pass State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 60 feet
Other amenities: Amphitheater, BBQ grills, restrooms, flush toilets, picnic tables, drinking water, dump station, fire rings, available firewood, showers, and campground host
Pioneer Trails RV Park
Open year-round and nestled just a few minutes away from the park in the nearby seaside village of Anacortes, Pioneer Trails RV Park marries the luxury of a resort-style campground with affordable pricing. Full hookup sites with picnic tables and fire rings will welcome you to the area, and a fitness center is in the works for the near future!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: laundry, bath house with showers, community picnic shelter
North Whidbey RV Park
A family- and pet-friendly campground with 100 full-hookup sites on offer, North Whidbey RV Park makes a strong argument in its bid to be your “base camp” to the northwest. Enjoy free internet access and on-site amenities like the playground… though with so much to explore in the vicinity, you probably won’t spend too much time at “home”!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: laundry, heated bath house with showers, group fire pit area, gazebo with barbecue grill, playground, fenced pet area, campground store with propane available
Cliffside RV Park
If you’re an active duty member or veteran of the navy, this military-run campground may be the perfect spot for you and your family -- and super affordable, to boot. Cliffside RV Park offers full hookup sites as well as rentable yurts and cabins, and the on-site walking paths offer easy beach access by foot.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: walking path, beach access, coin laundry, proximity to base amenities including recreation center, golf course, dining, and more
What to Do at
Deception Pass State Park
When you visit Deception Pass State Park, you should take the time to walk across the park's famous high bridge and take in the spectacular views. You'll also want to explore some of the park's lush, peaceful nature trails. In total, the area features around 40 miles of hiking trails, six miles of horse trails, and three miles of biking trails. Many visitors also partake in water-based recreation, including fishing, boating, swimming, and crabbing. The park contains over 1,000 feet of dock and five accessible boat launches. Other great activities at Deception Pass State Park include checking out the interpretive center, exploring the beaches, playing horseshoes, and observing the many fascinating wildlife species.
Inside Deception Pass State Park
So: why do visitors flock to Deception Pass State Park in the first place?
Well, the view is hard to argue with -- but there’s plenty of other fun to get into. Here are just a few common activities.
Hiking, biking, and horseback riding - With a well-designed network of trails including 1.2 miles that are ADA accessible, Deception Pass State Park is a popular place to take on terrestrial activities -- whether it’s on your own two feet, your prized pair of wheels, or on your favorite horse’s four hooves.
Boating and paddling - Deception Pass State Park offers hundreds of feet of dock space and almost 2,000 feet of moorage, so no matter what vessel you bring, you’ll find space to keep her. It’s also a popular destination for white-water kayaking, and many find themselves slipping off the boat and into the water itself for as swim.
Fishing and crabbing - Want to get your hands on tonight’s dinner? It doesn’t get better than freshly-caught, and you can make that into a reality here at Deception Pass.
Wildlife viewing and education - Whether it’s just wandering around with a pair of binoculars or participating in a ranger-led activity, there’s so much to see, do, and learn at Deception Pass State Park -- for students of all ages!
Fishing
Deception Pass State Park offers excellent saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities. The park is a wonderful place to catch salmon; you can find the best angling spots for these fish at North and West Beach.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a popular activity at Deception Pass State Park. When you find the cache, you can take a prize but don't forget to bring a family-friendly item to leave for the next treasure hunter.
Nature Watching
There are lots of unique wildlife species to observe around Deception Pass State Park. Some creatures to watch for include beavers, mule deer, harbor seals, harbor porpoises, California sea lions, raccoons, river otters, owls, bald eagles, turkey vultures, great blue herons, prairie falcons, and many more.
Stargazing
Deception Pass State Park is revered as a superb stargazing destination; star parties are hosted at the park regularly. The park is also a spectacular place to watch the sunset over the water.
Flora and Fauna
Deception Pass State Park is a lush area filled with plants and wildlife. The park is home to various types of trees, including the Douglas fir, grand fir, cedar, hemlock, alder, and spruce. During the spring, a variety of colorful wildflowers bloom in the area.
Hiking
Deception Pass State Park is a fantastic destination for hiking enthusiasts, with over 38 miles of hiking trails and 1.2 miles of ADA-accessible hiking trails. The park's trails offer a tranquil atmosphere and gorgeous views and vary significantly in length and difficulty.
Boating
Deception Pass State Park is one of the best boating destinations in the region. The park features five saltwater boat launches, two freshwater boat launches, and 1,980 feet of saltwater moorage. Motors are prohibited at Pass Lake, and Cranberry Lake only permits the electric variety. You'll need a Discover Pass or a boating permit to launch at the park. The area is also a popular spot for other forms of water-based recreation, such as sailboarding, scuba diving, crabbing, and various water sports.
Swimming
Deception Pass State Park contains several beaches, lakes, and stretches of shoreline, providing visitors with plenty of opportunities to swim. The water will be chilly, but it's a beautiful place to take a dip.
Biking
There are three miles of biking trails at Deception Pass State Park. These trails offer fantastic views and are appropriate for bikers of all ability levels.
How to Get to
Deception Pass State Park
To reach the park from Seattle, head north on I-5 until you reach exit 230 for WA-20 toward Burlington. Take a left onto State Rte 20 W and follow it until you see signs for Deception Pass State Park. The road leading into the park will be on your right.
Entering Deception Pass State Park
To enter Deception Pass State Park, you need to have a Discover Pass. You can purchase a daily pass for $5 or a yearly pass for $30. Parking is available at the park office and near the boat launches and picnic areas.
Deception Pass State Park Daily Pass : $5.0
Deception Pass State Park Yearly Pass : $30.0
No matter how you get to Deception Pass State Park, or even if you skip it in favor of another of Washington’s many worthy destinations, we can’t wait to hear all about your adventures! Tag us in your social media posts or send photos and details to us directly at [email protected]. We’ll choose a few lucky winners to feature on our own social media channels or blog posts!
Frequently Asked Questions About Deception Pass State Park
Because the climate around Deception Pass State Park is fairly mild and consistent throughout the year, there's no wrong time to visit the park. You may want to visit in July or August for the warmest weather and the lowest chance of rain.
Some of the marine animals you may see while visiting include seals, porpoises, and sea lions. Birders can look forward to spotting bald eagles, prairie falcons, and great blue herons. While exploring inland, you may encounter mule deer, foxes, and rabbits.
Deception Pass State Park boasts a total of 310 campsites, 83 of which are designated RV campsites with partial hookups. There's also an RV dump station at the park.
Because the park features so many campsites, you don't necessarily have to reserve a campsite. However, making reservations is encouraged, and you can do so either online or over the phone. The reservation fee for Washington state parks is $8 if you make it online or $10 if you call.
Yes, pets are allowed at Deception Pass State Park, and visitors are encouraged to bring their dogs along with them on the area's hiking trails. However, you must keep your pets leashed and clean up after them. Pets are also not permitted on any of the park's designated swimming beaches.
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