Deception Pass State Park REVIEW

Deception Pass State Park: website HERE

Value 4/5
Cost for basic site no hook ups $21 when we camped. Fees are higher in peak season.
Our friends paid an extra $6 when they moved to an electric and water site beside us and the sites with full hook ups are only $1 more. Dump station free with campsite fees or $5 if just visiting.

We also had to pay a $5.00 non-resident fee to use the park which I don't recall reading on their website at all.

Site Quality 4/5
Although the sites are narrow, and fairly close together they still feel very private even in early spring when the bushes are bare. Base is hard packed gravel but was very level.

Facility Fun 4/5
2 Amphitheaters, Beachcombing, Bird Watching, 6 Fire Circles, 1 Horseshoe pit, Interpretive Activities, Mountain Biking, Wildlife Viewing, Boating, Fishing, Kayaking, Clamming, Crabbing and a playground we didn't see :(

Natural Surroundings 5/5
This park has it all. Sandy beaches and rocky beaches, wooded trails, calm lake, beautiful views of ocean, lake, islands, mountains...you can't ask for better natural surroundings

Bathrooms
Forgot to check.Will do better on future trips I promise ;) Our friends said they were clean and I think they said they had pay showers.

Staff 5/5
Park rangers were always friendly and very helpful

Location 4/5
There are many trails and natural areas to walk, play and explore in from sandy beaches, rocky beaches, lake side, wooded trails or walk the bridge and we didn't explore the North Park at all. Visitor centre is located just South of the park entrance, and a small store is just North of the park entrance. 1 block to laundromat. Park is about 11 miles (I think) from Oak Harbour where you can find lots to do or places to shop. (We hit the Walmart for some basic needs and noted their signs said no overnight parking)

Overall 4.5/5
We love this park. Even though both times we have stayed there it has had a lot of rain we really like all the privacy with so many mature trees even though some sites are close together. With being the Spring season here on the West coast we are quite used to the rain.


We had a back in site # 93 which was roomy enough to easily back in our 35' trailer and still had another 20' to have our truck hooked up when parked.

Side view of our site with picnic table, and fire pit with grill overlay
View from the back of our trailer to our friends site

West beach is a sandy beach on one side and Cranberry Lake on the other. The lake has a roped off swim area and non motorized boat rentals I believe during the high season. There is also a small store open during the high season. Washrooms have clean toilets and pay showers I think. I didn't go in, that is word from the people we were camping with.
The website states:

"Please note: U.S. Navy jets from nearby Naval Air Station Whidbey Island may fly over the campground at any time for several hours. Navy personnel conduct training missions which are not announced ahead of time. Depending on the direction of the wind, their flight pattern may put them above the park, creating noisy conditions for campers. State Parks cannot be responsible for this significant intrusion into your camping experience."

but we only saw a couple jets fly overhead and on Sunday night we heard a few very loud jets fly over about 5 or 6 times during a 1 hour period and that was it. Certainly nothing to warrant a bad review.

Above a jet flies over Cranberry Lake after take off

view above of a campsite closer to the lake with a partial view and below us all enjoying a walk to North Beach