Deception Pass State Park has been given the title of one of the top must visit parks in the state of Washington. And for good reason. With a deep dive into the intense greens of the Douglas firs and old-growth forest of the Pacific Northwest and incredible water views, who wouldn’t rank this as one of the top state parks?
Deception Pass is actually a strait that separates two islands. Open year round, this 3,854 acre park spanning both Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island, gets a lot of use and the parking lots aren’t exactly what I would consider abundant. So plan accordingly.
The most popular spot is of course is the iconic bridge that crosses over the strait known as the Deception Pass Bridge with views of the Puget Sound where you might see harbor seals, a variety of birds, and even whales on occasion. It’s a beautiful place to spend a day with an abundance of hiking trails to explore it’s the perfect spot for a day hike.
Address
41229 State Rte 20, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
From Seattle it is around an hour and a half drive north along I-5.
Best time to visit
It gets extremely busy here during the summer months and the parking lots are small and fill up fast with large groups of tourists, so it is recommended to come during the shoulder season or even the winter.
The area does not see much snow and being surrounded by evergreens it never loses its beauty. In my opinion, going in late fall or early winter is one of the best ways to experience this park.
The cost of admission
There are pay stations located at every parking lot, not at the park entrance. The day cost per car is $10. If you plan to visit more than one park it makes more sense to get a Discover Pass for $30. It lasts for a year and gives you unlimited access to all of the state parks in Washington.
Hours
Since there is camping it is open 24 hours a day. The various centers and buildings in the park have their own hours, some are until dusk, some until 7pm, but only in the summer. Throughout the winter all the interpretive centers are closed but you can still visit the park (with less of the crowds).
Best Hikes in Deception Pass State Park
Lighthouse Point
Just before you cross the Deception Pass via the bridges there is a parking area with a wide grassy picnic area. It is the starting point for two hikes, Lottie Point and Lighthouse Point. Both give you views of the pass and the waters.
Lighthouse Point is a short hike, a 1.5-mile loop on a well-maintained path with little elevation gain. It gives you various viewpoints before dropping you back into the lush green that you expect from the Pacific Northwest.
If you are looking for a shorter trek but want similar views, Lottie Point is another short trail being 0.3-mile loop on a lookout next to Lighthouse Point. Both hikes are easy, with great views of the pass.
North Beach
Parking in the lot just over the Deception Pass Bridge (go early and during off season to ensure you get a spot) you can take the stairs a short way down to the North Beach trail or the Goose Neck Point Trail.
At the base of the stairs you can get great photos of the Deception Pass Bridge before starting on your 1.4-mile hike to North Beach. The main trail is an out and back perimeter trail so plan for 1.4-miles each way.
Along the trail, and depending on the time of year, there are various picnic areas with open washrooms. From the picnic areas you get great views of the pass and can see waterbirds and seals catching their lunch for the day.
This is an easy, fairly flat trail that is well maintained. It traverses along the water with opportunities to step out on the beach for a look around or to take in the views.
Goose Neck Point
Of all the hikes in Deception Pass State Park this one has the most elevation gain and is the most exposed. I would consider this a moderate hike, but it is completely worth it for the views of the mountains.
Goose Neck Point is a 2.5-mile loop trail with various other loops within the larger loop. It was by far my favorite hike of the day because it is one of the best places to get views of the Cascade and Olympic mountains from the high point part of the trail.
The viewpoint opens up to this large tabletop of rock with 180-degree views. You could spend hours there just taking in the mountains.
Wildlife viewing
There are lots of opportunities to see wildlife in Deception Pass State Park. It’s a great spot to view bald eagles, seals and whales. There have been sightings of bears, but it is extremely infrequent and hasn’t been reported for several years.
A must stop for lunch
The Shrimp Shack
A popular spot but a must stop is the Shrimp Shack. After a day of hiking and working up an appetite head to the Shrimp Shack for some incredibly fresh seafood and cold beer.
Keep in mind that the shrimp season is limited so you may arrive at a time when there are no shrimp but no worries because there are plenty of other tasty dishes on the menu.
Concluding Thoughts
Deception Pass State Park is consistently ranked Washington State Parks top park and is a great place for everyone. These top trails are easy and you can go as far along a trail as you want and still get immersed in the natural beauty of the park.
If you are looking for something challenging, this is not it. But if you are looking to spend your day wildlife viewing and stepping into nature (always healing for your mental health), this is the perfect park. For more information, check out the Washington Trails Association. These volunteers and staff manage the trails and have the most up-to-date information on trail maintenance and also provide opportunities to join them.
Want more hiking in the Seattle area? Check out my top dog-friendly hikes (bonus, Deception Pass state park is also dog friendly).
