Deception Pass State Park

Deception Pass State Park is easily our favorite state park in Washington. We have visited several times and there are many different ways to explore the park and things to do. Here are some of our favorite spots inside this beautiful state park.

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Deception Pass State Park
You will need a Discover Pass to visit the park. A one day pass is available for purchase on site at the automated pay stations for $10. You can purchase an annual pass for $30 online prior to visiting. This pass pays for itself in three visits and I highly suggest it. Deception Pass State Park expands over both Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands in Washington. The state park offers activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, and exploring tide pools or walking on the beach.
Visit the State Park’s website HERE.
Find more info on the Discover Pass HERE.

Hiking
There are several different parking areas depending where you want to go and what activity you’d like to do. There are restrooms and picnic tables at almost all of these locations. There are lots of hiking trails to choose from. We personally love the Rosario Head Trail.
Read about the trails available HERE.
Read more about that trail in my post HERE.

Tide Pools
Tide Pooling is a really fun activity for kids and adults alike. Rosario Beach is great for this activity. Check tide charts for this area prior to coming. They rope off a specific area for you to walk around in and explore. Under the rocks you can find crabs, small fish, and more.
Find out more on tide pooling HERE.

Kayaking & Paddle Boarding
When we went kayaking in Deception Pass we parked in the boat launch area at Bowman Bay. If you don’t have your own kayaks or paddle boards there are rentals available right here in the parking lot! There are also guided kayak tours you can take in the area.
Read my post about Kayaking Deception Pass HERE.

Deception Pass Boat Tours
If you’d prefer to sit back and enjoy a tour from the water (without having to paddle your own boat) take a tour with Deception Pass Boat Tours! You get some stunning views from the water and a different perspective from what you got on land. You’ll also learn some history about the area.
Read my full post with more info on the tour HERE.

Stroll the Beach
There are quite a few beaches in the park. All of them are rocky so I would highly recommend water shoes. The beaches are absolutely beautiful and make an amazing walk. If it’s nice weather out let the kiddos splash around the water.

The Bridge
The bridge between Fidalgo and Whidbey Island is iconic and one of the most photographed bridges in Washington. You can walk or drive across the bridge. There is a trailhead with parking on the Whidbey side that has stairs leading down to the beach. This beach has great views of the bridge. There is a small amount of pullover parking before the bridge on the Whidbey side.

Finding the fun everywhere life takes us!
Love, Olivia Michelle