Deception Pass State Park Campground, near Oak Harbor, Washington, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some modern comforts. The campground boasts spacious sites with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings and roasting marshmallows under the stars.

Visitors rave about the clean facilities, including hot showers and well-maintained restrooms, making it easy to freshen up after a day of adventure. One camper noted, “The ranger was very friendly and helpful,” which adds to the welcoming vibe of the place. The surrounding forest provides a sense of privacy, with many sites nestled among tall trees and lush shrubbery.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the park offers stunning hiking trails that lead to breathtaking views of the Deception Pass Bridge and the coastline. The nearby beaches are just a short walk away, where you can explore tide pools or simply relax by the water. As one reviewer put it, “The hike to see Deception Pass Bridge is awesome,” highlighting the area's natural beauty.

Whether you're camping in a tent, RV, or cabin, Deception Pass State Park Campground is a great base for exploring the diverse landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. With its friendly atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, it’s no wonder campers keep coming back for more.

Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000-feet of saltwater shoreline, and 33,900-feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. Rugged cliffs drop to meet the turbulent waters of Deception Pass. 

 The park has 167 tent sites, 143 utility spaces, five hiker / biker sites, two dump stations, 20 restrooms (four ADA), and ten showers (four ADA). Camping is located at three locations in the park, 18 tent sites and two utility sites are at Bowman Bay, seven tent sites and 54 utility sites at Quarry Pond, and 147 tent sites and 83 utility sites are at Cranberry Lake. Maximum site length is 60-feet (limited availability).

 In addition there are four campsites on Hope Island north shore bay, the pay station is near the east campsite, a vault toilet is in the woods 100-feet south of the campsites. The rest of the island is a natural area preserve and off limits to recreational use. Standard primitive campsite rules apply.

Deception Pass State Park Campground

Join the fun near Anacortes. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Anacortes. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Anacortes, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Anacortes

The Best Camping Near Anacortes, Washington

Deception state park runs woods right up to the beach. The campground is set back a bit, but an easy 10 minute walk to the beach. Beautiful and easy trails surround the camp ground. I suggest walking out to Deception Pass bridge (about 1.5 miles). It's a great, easy hike and the bridge is pretty wild to see up close. Will definitely be back!

Woods to Beach, Easy Access

Visited on a beautiful spring day. No idea how I always get so lucky with washington weather. 
We went during the tulip festival at Anacortes nearby so that was a definite plus. The bridge is very scenic, so this is a great place to visit even if only for the day. I should've done some research into why they named it deception pass because it was exactly what I expected. 
There are multiple recreational water activities to do, but I didn't do any as I found the Springtime sound a little too cold for my liking. 

No Deception Here

Great location. Right by the water. Deception Pass itself is amazing. Family friendly. Very popular tourist area.

Deception Pass

My favorite part of this park is the freshwater and saltwater shorelines so close together.  We enjoyed the hiking trails and went out to Deception Pass Bridge for sunset.  Our campsite was nice, a short walk to the water. 

Great State Park 

This is a beautiful gem that I accessed over the fantastic bridge in the photo. There are electric and non-electric sites. There is also a retreat facility nearby. I ran into a religious Brother while I was out hiking. The hiking trails are short but some are right next to the water. There is plenty of opportunity to relax and contemplate while surrounded by the beautiful views. This is a place I stumbled upon while I was traveling and was so glad that I found it.

The views are breathtaking! A nice hike down to the beach and my dog and I had a blast. A little overcast so we only saw a couple other people the whole time. This is a must see for anyone in the pnw.

Simply Beautiful! 

This is a huge camp ground, but well maintained with good privacy for most sites. We stayed in the forest loop and loved our spot. Book early if you want to be in the lower loop! We loved that there was so much to explore and so many beaches and trails. Had no problems with noise, the bathrooms were clean, and it was an easy campground for our kids to get around, play in, and enjoy all it had to offer! 

Fun for the whole family

So much to do in this whole area on the water and in the forests, it’s a larger state park. There’s a lot of camping options, many of them are near the water (bay, lake or pond) but we ended up at the one that just happened to have a spot left (Forest Loop), which was very pretty and densely wooded. The ranger told us about a cabin out on a small private island on the other side of the bridge, so if you have a way to get to it that would be incredibly beautiful. It’s a popular spot so make reservations (and bring kayaks!). 


Deception Pass Park 

This is a beautiful park with tons of lush wooded trails that follow the coastline. Lookouts to see the rocks and waves. 

The campground is older and quite large so it can get crowded in the summer months with families and kids. I like to camp here in Spring or Fall when there are less people. 



Stunning! One of the best views on the Washington Coast 

This was our first time hiking with a bear can, which was a bit of a pain but bearable. There were plenty of tent spots along the inlets, be sure to watch the tides.

Misty and Magical

 These sites are really nice and you have easy access to either trails or the water (which you can be right on) were you can rent some kayaks if you don't bring your own. The forest loop are nicely tucked into the trees which can help you feel a little less crowded if it gets busy. 

Lots of options and easy access to trails and water

A last minute camping trip ended up at Deception Pass. Parts of the campground are open all year. During Spring, only certain parts are open and the first-come spots can be hard to come by. It is a huge park with lots to do. Trails to the bridge, swimming, beach fun, etc. We stayed at the lower loop which is nice because you are a very short walk to the beach. The sites in this loop are not very private though. I will be going back later this summer. Will be staying at the bowman bay campground and the forest loop.

Generally, I just come here for the day to bring my two boys to hike to the bridge and eat lunch under it. Then we play on the beach before we head back home.

Beautiful Beach, Large Campground

My new favorite part of Deception Pass State Park is Bowman Bay. This campground is on the other side of the bridge and only has about 20 sites. They are smaller and there is not much privacy but it was a great stay. We were lucky enough to snag a site for the night due to a cancellation. A family we talked to said they have had theirs reserved since last October and it was slim pickings.

There are a few hikes that leave from camp and access to the beach. There is also a large day use area with open fields and a playground. It was a great camping trip.

Bowman Bay

I ended a two week long sea kayaking expedition here in the fall. It's a large park with a lot of room. We were a large group and enjoyed the bit of extra space. There was a wonderful large field area that was fun to hang out in as well. The facilities were well kept and the access to the water and trails in the area was quite easy. We even spent a few hours playing in the current that rips through Deception Pass.

If you're looking for a large park with lot's of outdoor recreation opportunities, this is a nice location.

Great Destination

Deception Pass State Park offers nice camping facilities and hiking trails just below the scenic Deception Pass Bridge. The park is split between Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island, making it within 30 minutes of the ferries to the north and south. Reservations are needed during the summer months, I would recommend the Bowman Bay upper loop where we stayed as it was more desolate and quiet feeling. Standard well maintained campsites with parking pad, fire pit with grill, picnic table, flat spot for tent.

Pros:

-Great views

-Clean

-Water front

-Well maintained facilities

Cons:

-Sites don't offer much privacy and are quite close together

**Only reason I gave it 4/5 instead of 5/5: there are fighter jets that run drills over the park from the nearby military base that are literally ear splitting at times. I'm a heavy sleeper and struggled to fall asleep through this, they did stop at some point between 11 pm and midnight though, not sure if this is a daily occurrence. I would definitely recommend bringing some ear plugs just in case.**

Bowman Bay loop experience 

**Campground Review**

My three-year-old and I backpacked in and it was amazing. Crazy crowded and crazy loud with the military jets overhead (Naval Air Base nearby) – but beautiful none the less. It’s good to note that the jets do shut off around 5 pm and there is plenty of quite time from that point on. But be prepared during the day for some ear splitting noise - I would actually advise ear plugs!

We hiked in for the adventure, but also because all the drive-in sites were reserved. They have several secluded campsites set aside for hikers and bikers, and they were totally worth the work. We ended up in site #233 and it was perfect. Totally tucked away in the trees with soft ground and simple surroundings. If you plan to hike or bike in and use these spots, get there as early as you can. All the sites got used and several folks who showed up toward evening didn’t get spots. We walked around to see all the drive-in spots and there are some pretty nice ones, but none as secluded as the hike/bike spots. The hike in from the northern park boundary is amazingly beautiful and it sure makes you appreciate the spot once you get there.

There are trails everywhere from the campsites, but most importantly down to the beach and Cranberry Lake. I must say it’s quite amazing to sleep amongst the tall trees of the forest and then meander down to the beach to play! Cranberry Lake has a designated swimming area where the water is super shallow and just perfect for the kiddos.

Amazing beauty and well worth the experience!

**Product Review**

[Green Goo](https://greengoohelps.com/) – Multiple Products

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time – on this trip I tested the amazing variety of salve and such from [Green Goo](https://greengoohelps.com/). I made sure to take the salve for Dry Skin, Foot Care, and Pain Relief – all great stuff for backpacking! One feature I really like about the salves is the tin, they are perfect for stuffing in a little side pocket of your pack and don’t add much weight at all. It was heavenly to rub the balm into sore muscles and feet after we set up camp and recovered from the hike. The foot care stuff is especially helpful for me since my heels crack so bad. This stuff has really made a difference for my heels like nothing I’ve tried before. My daughter is a pretty rough and tumble little adventure seeker and has never been without some sort of scrape, scratch, or bump from climbing everything and running everywhere – the Skin Repair tin gets multiple uses daily – and it really does help heal her up quick. Overall – this stuff rocks, I’m totally sold on it and can’t wait to try other products from the company!

Ranger Review: Green Goo at Deception Pass State Park Hike-In Campground

The area has alot to offer from a great for families. We did the Rosario Head (sunset) and Lighthouse Point hikes, which are short and easy for young children, and kids love seeing sea creatures during low tide on Bowman Bay. There are tide pools too (check the tide charts for best times and days) and lots of beaches to explore as well.

Our campsite was next to Cranberry Lake and we had a double site which was big and secluded, unlike most of the other sites we walked by. The only drawback was that it was heavily shaded, which could either be a positive or negative depending on the weather.

The worst thing are jets from the nearby naval base are super loud and fly very late into the night, well beyond "quite hours." Luckily they didn't fly at night on our last night, being a Friday. Bring earplugs!!

Nice area BUT

**Campsite Review:** When exploring the [**San Juan Islands**](https://www.visitsanjuans.com/#/gallery/recent) in North Eastern Washington I suggest you definitely take a moment to visit [**Deception Pass State Park**](http://parks.state.wa.us/497/Deception-Pass) where camping might seem a little pricey, but your park admission is included in the cost of the campsite. This is a great location to start of your trip if your spending time up in the North Eastern portion of Washington. This campground is composed of several different loops with setups on both sides of the pass for every type of adventurer. There are over 300 different campsites and several that are hike/bike in only, as well as your standard drive up and RV. These sites are spread into different areas of the park, and we stayed in one of the lower loops of the [**Cranberry Lake**](http://www.deceptionpassfoundation.org/around-the-park/cranberry-lake/) campground where many of the sites have open drive ways, but then are really set into the old growth trees. Ours was a drive in which was a little uphill and then set back into the underbrush so you were nicely separated from your surroundings and felt pretty immersed in the forest. You get a decent flat area for your tent(s) with a standard picnic table, and fire ring. We checked in a bit later than expected and were in need of a shower. Thankfully there are pretty decent showers at this campground, though some restrooms were much nicer than others. Make sure to check out a couple before you decide which one to use. We found that the ADA showers were much cleaner and nicer than the regular shower by our site (#172). In order to use the pay showers you have to use a token (2 for a dollar) instead of quarters or dollar bills like most other places. You can get the tokens from the rangers or they have some vending machines on the side of the little camp check in area. There are plenty of excellent hikes you can access throughout the park and watching the fog roll in and out can be pretty awesome.

The one thing that you’ll probably read over and over again is about the jets from the nearby base…. Yes, there are jets and yes, they are loud, very loud. Bring ear plugs. Even if you’re a heavy sleeper, the way the noise bounces around through the valley makes them extremely loud. You never know how late they’ll hang around so just be prepared. They stopped fairly early (around 9:30pm) when we visited, but the flyover time seems variable.

**Amenities: standard** picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, potable water, &amp; Pay Shower **Prohibited:** pets off-leash

**Nearby Hikes:** [**Goose Rock**](http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/deception-pass-goose-rock) trail and [**Deception Pass Bridge and Beach**](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/deception-pass-bridge-and-beach-trail) Trail

We used this campground to not only hike around and explore the park, but also as a jumping off point to kayak around the island (where we picked up a hitch hiking baby harbor seal) and to head out on some whale watching trips. This is a really incredible area with lots to explore.

**Gear Review:** As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes get the opportunity to test out products and what kept me warm as explored the northern waterways was the [**Coldpruf**](http://www.coldpruf.com/) [**Zephyr crew top**](http://www.coldpruf.com/products/zephyr-mens-crew/) and [**pants**](http://www.coldpruf.com/products/zephyr-mens-pant/). Coldpruf has designed their clothing to own the cold and yes, they do. I was kept quite warm with these base layers on. The only drawback I had with this gear was the length of the pants, not in the legs, but in the back rise… While they fit perfectly in the waist and leg length was perfect, the pants still came a up a little short in the back and I could not pull them up and prevent plumber’s crack while wearing them. I have other pairs of ColdPruf base layers which fit perfectly but these pants just came up a little short…Some of the features that I did like about this specific design was:

*   How lightweight, and unrestrictive the top felt. Really strong sturdy seams and didn’t mess with my mobility as I was paddling the kayak.
*   A really breathable base layer with the vented mesh underarm sections. This is usually a breaking point in wearing a base layer when doing activity as you can’t cool off the areas you need to while still staying warm.
*   I really liked the length of the top, this really helped to sort of counter the shortness of the pants.
*   The stretch of the material in both the pants and crew top were great for hiking and kayaking.
*   Designed and Knit in the USA!! Awesome.

**I give the** [**Coldpruf**](http://www.coldpruf.com/)[**Zephyr crew top**](http://www.coldpruf.com/products/zephyr-mens-crew/) **and** [**pants**](http://www.coldpruf.com/products/zephyr-mens-pant/) **4/5 Stars!**

Ranger Review: ColdPruf men’s Zephyr tops and bottoms at Deception Pass State Park: Great spot to watch the fog roll in…

I said lovely in the summertime even though I was a bit chilly! Tropical girl in the north. Despite the cooler temperatures at night the weather was just wonderful when we stayed at Deception Pass. There were so many activities. Some trails walking distance from the campsite to gorgeous beaches while others we drove to get to other trails and scenic lookouts. I loved every minute staying there. We spent two nights at Bowman Bay right next to the beach. The facilities are nice and well maintained. I really appreciate the Washington state park system and their nice campgrounds. We walked across the Deception Pass bridge and hiked up Goose Rock which is the highest point in the park. Just a heads up for anyone afraid of heights, the bridge is super thrilling!! And the views! Even I felt butterflies walking across.

Another day we explored the tide pools at Rosario Beach and went paddle boarding close by. We saw seals and sea otters playing. Really one of the highlights of the trip!

Lovely in the summertime

A last minute booking of a trip for 7 worked out when we found two sites together (101 and 103). Well surrounded by some trees for good tarping, though we did need to use one car

Great pnw camping trip

We really loved the park. The pictures we took on the coastline were amazing. The campgrounds itself were small but met our needs that weekend. The worst part is that the staff kicked us out of a walkin campsite and made us move to a drive in even through we were hiking in. Staff had different messages and it was all a negative experience.

Amazing view Bad staff 

There is so much to see and do! From the very exciting jets, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, whale watching, fishing, hiking! Showers and real bathrooms that were exceptionally clean! Great staff that were so helpful! Definitely going back!

Great place to go!

Deception Pass cannot be beat. It is a large park with multiple campgrounds and miles of trails. Can walk to the famous Deception Pass bridge. The park is in close proximity to a military base so there can be loud jets flying at any time, day or night.


Huge park with so much to offer

I grew up camping at Deception Pass with my family and we always had a great time. The camp sites are generous sized enough and we always felt like we had a good amount of privacy. The views are unbelievable and there are many places to hike around. Some wildlife can be seen around the grounds and out by the water. Overall a peaceful place to camp and enjoy nature.

Beautiful campground

This is our go-to family camping area for october-June trips.  It is never too cold and it has a lot to offer. The campgrounds are within walking distance to a beautiful sandy beach complete with tide pools!  We also like to hit up the local drive in movie theater for a little classic entertainment (Blue Fox Drive-in) and cheap greasy cheesy fry delicacies ;). Beautiful views and small hikes along the coastlines.  Definitely an iconic Washington coastal camping area, but without the long drive to the penninsula. 

Tide pools, killer views, and a stellar Drive-in movie theater!

Bring your bikes! This is a huge campground with lots to explore. Kayak or swim at Cranberry lake then wander 100 feet to the beach for cold salty wave and a view that goes on forever. Fishing at Pass lake is popular, though I have no personal experience with fishing. Located near the Naval base you may see and hear fighter jets flying over day and possibly night. The kids loved that the most though.

Trails, LA Fresh water, salt water, trails and more

We have come here for the past several years as both a tent camper and a tent trailer camper. We usually stay at spot 92 in the Lower Loop and have found that it has great views of the stars and the right amount of privacy for a nervous dog camper. This site has some neat little trails through the back of it and is close to two bathrooms. The lower loop in this area is also close to 2 different beaches - one for the lake and one for the ocean. If you catch the tide out at the right time, there is plenty of fun sea creatures to find. The lake and the ocean are divided by just a single walkway, so that is a pretty cool feature. There is a concession stand and water item rental area, but they have not been open every time we have been there. This camping spot also has many trails to explore and a nice hike to beautiful view points. For the tent trailer, we stayed at site 353, which is directly int he middle of all of the campsites. We had some troubles with kids running through our camp area quite frequently and we politely asked them to use the walking paths. Thsi spot is surrounded by many cabins and other RV/camper sites. This also backs up to a little gas/convenience store, which was nice to grab some quick firewood and take a walk with the dogs. 

We LOVE coming here!

This is one of my favorite campsites! It’s near two beaches with endless of space to have barbecues, picnics, bonfires and more! This site gives you enough space for your family but too much space since sites are very close to each other. It also has narrow roads. But still a great place to camp!

Beautiful place to camp! Lets start with the downsides: reserve early as it fills up quick for summer, during the summer there are burn bans and you will need a propane fire pit or no fire at all, the jet noise can be overwhelming and until the late hours of the night for someone who isn’t used to it, if you are tryIng to party at the campsIte the park rangers wIll come and tell you to be quite after quIte hours whIch Is 10pm. The great things about the park: beautiful place to camp, short walk to the water to dip your feet in the freezing water, beautiful views, quite, bathrooms are usually close and have runnIng water and hot showers for a small price, water spickets to clean dishes usually near by, a lake near by to fresh water fish and beach with shallow water for the kids to swim, overall great place to camp! Camped here a lot so pictures are from 3 different times.

Beautiful camping spots!

We stayed in a cabin at Quarry Pond. The cabin was beautiful, clean, and very comfortable. Bathrooms were great and even have showers. Close to the beach and tons of hiking trails. My kids did not want to leave!

Beautiful campground!

Living just north of Seattle, Deception Pass State Park was a great stay for us in WA! We enjoyed a quick one night tent stay at one of the parks tent sites. The campground was equipped with nice restroom and shower facilities, as well as a trail and nearby store/restaurant walkable from the tent site! We look forward to returning again soon for a longer stay and to explore more of the area!

Great tent camping close to hiking and home!

Always a great time! There's lots of beaches to walk and trails to hike. The little store right outside the camp has amazing salmon. 

Beautiful Island Camping

This campground is huge and every time we go is packed but you don’t feel surrounded by people due to large campsites, beautiful trees and the water is right there! Great easy hikes, good for bikes and kids.

The best!!!

This campground has so much to offer! The lake has a sandy beach and shallow swimming areA and fishing! It's murky though. The sound has a lovely sandy beach as well, or a rocky beach to explore. The sites are well maintained and roomy.

Beautiful! 

Plan ahead. Make reservations. Bring shower shoes.

Scenic, good for families.  A little noisy with the Naval Air Base nearby.

Camping at a state park is new to us. We typically camp on DNR land or dispersed camping. Boy did this camp ground have it all! Fishing, kayaking, biking, hiking, swimming, showers, coffee, you name it! Very popular area, our site was pretty small but managed to fit 3 tents and two vehicles. All sites had picnic areas. Great beach spots and trails.

very cool 

Let me start by saying there is an active US Navy air base about 2 miles away and the campground is on the flight path.  When we got there on Friday afternoon the F18 growlers were shooting touch and goes.  Its  noisy.  When they finished, the Turbo pro and jet powered patrol planes took over. But the beach is great, there's lots of trails and the view from the top of Mt Erie ( not in the park but only a few mile drive ) is amazing. 


There may be jet noise

Our families rented some cabins together. They are newer and made for a great way to visit and camp in comfort. The restrooms are still in a shared location not far from the cabins and are clean and well maintained. The only downside is we were located on the opposite side of the highway from the water. But, overall a comfortable way to stay at Deception Pass.

Great cabins!

A very nice campground. Stayed on 4/3/19 and wound up with great weather. From the sites you can walk to the beach where you can see the Deception Pass bridge, or to the shores of the pond on the other side. Sites are well spaced and neat. Only downside is that the park is in close proximity to the Whidbey Island Air Force Base, so you may be bothered with the loud noise of jets flying overhead, but when they aren’t flying the camp is very quiet. 

Very nice campground 

We were in campsite 230\. Had a great view of the lake. One downfall is there was a trail going passed our site and we saw more people than I would have liked. Jets commonly fly overhead, but we knew about that in advance, it wasn't that bad. The area had beautiful scenery, the bathrooms were kept clean and had flush toilets. The bathrooms were a decent walk away from site 230, but I like that. Walking near the bridge was full of a coast of beautiful rocks of all colors. Would definitely visit here again.

Woodsy with Colorful rocks

I have camped at Deception Pass multiple times. The campground has Ocean access and hiking access. Overall the campgrounds are well maintained and the bathrooms were always well stocked. It is a popular campground for families, with kiddos riding bikes and running around. It is a larger campground with sites that are a good size and semi-private, some sites offering more privacy than other.  I have gone during July and August and most times there has been a fire ban. The campground offers propane fire pits for rent for a small fee. They do get rented up quickly so I recommend

not waiting and asking when you arrive. The site we stayed was not very private and the campers next to us played loud music most of the day and into the evening, however the camp host was dutiful in reminding campers to be courteous of fellow campers.  The campground books up very quick so reserve early.

Nice location near beaches and hiking. 

Campground Review:

Such a beautiful campground with so many families! It was wonderful to see kids (and parents) everywhere. The views were fantastic from all sides, from giant old growth trees to sparkling water views, this is a MUST camp destination!
We went during Memorial Day, so the campground was crowded, but our spot, 183, was honestly perfect. It felt separate from the many other campers. 
The Park Rangers were phenomenal! Someone had taken our spot (they thought it was drop in camping) because we arrived so late, but the Rangers came and sorted it out. We got into our spot and set up just as it was getting dark, they made sure to check up to make sure we got into our site. They made our experience so wonderful and easy!

Product review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time - today I am testing the GCI Outdoor Recliner (https://www.gcioutdoor.com/tailgate-chairs/outdoor-recliner/).
 I wish I could give this chair 10 stars, honestly! The chair was wide enough for my hips (size 18 women) which is ALWAYS a struggle, the recline is just enough not to be drowsy, but relaxing, and the “pillow” is the perfect storage for the chair’s bag. 
We LOVED sitting in these both by the campfire and at the beach (and maybe even playing video games in front of the TV at home too ;) ). Our only complaint was that it was difficult to play guitar in them, but that’s not a huge factor for us!
We’ve definitely added these chairs to our recommended brands and will be keeping an eye out for other gear from this company! 


Ranger Review: GCI Outdoor Recliner at Deception Pass State Park

Nice place close to water very clean lots of exploring can. E done 

I have camped at Deception Pass twice in the past month. We did site #190 &amp; #193. They both have trails leading to the beach with and excellent view of the well known bridge. Definitely walk across the bridge. And then go to the beach and take some pictures with the bridge in the background! They sell firewood but I've never seen it open (I've never camped on a weekend). They also have a little coffee stand that I imagine is open on the weekends. It wasn't open weekdays. This is definitely a great place to kayak with the lake and there is a beach roped off for swimming with a deep end. It's a little warmer because it's not out in the Puget. 

Amazing views and beaches

This is a giant park with a ton of campsites but you are advised to make reservations. Even though there are a lot of sites, you are evenly spaced out and each spot typically feels bigger than it is. The spots do lap on top of each other as the go up a hill and sound sometimes gets loud. As far as recreation this park offers it all from kayaking, hiking, boating, fishing, and biking. The diversity and scenery gives it all an A Plus and the designation as one of the best parks in the area. I will definitely be back. 

One of the best

Great place to camp and explore. Only draw back is the near by air base. Planes can come and go anytime and could cause a pleasant evening to be kind of noisy. 

Stunning setting

Wonderful place to camp. Make reservations 9 months in advance because they fill up. Camp sites are close together but still feel private. I will be returning 

Breathtaking Sunsets

Old growth trees, large private RV sites, hook ups electric/water, gorgeous blue sky’s, fresh water lakes and ocean beyond, critters abound, hiking a little tough coming back up from the bridge.

The best

The park is super busy during the summer. So much so that they stamp letting day use in at certain times so a reservation is highly recommended. The reason is you have many activities to choose from. Hiking, biking, and kayaking are in abundance here with miles of trails and water front. For the camping, it’s crowded to say the least. The spacing is okay but with so many people in the park it is bound to be loud. If you are looking for solitude don’t come here. The facilities  were okay but nothing special and the sites have your normal set up. Some of the sites are very small and are for smaller tents only. Definitely look at the online map first to choose the appropriate site. 

Crowded with tons of activities 

I’m not sure why this campsite has such good reviews. The area is incredibly gorgeous, but the campsite is so crowded and noisy. Everyone is on top of one another. The sites themselves are quite small, the tables aren’t made of real wood so you can melt them if you put a hot pan on them, there was music blaring the whole night, there were people everywhere, and the jets that fly over head are so loud it’s impossible to talk or sleep. 

  

The reservation system is so weird too. We arrived after the host stand closed so we took a picture of the “reserved” site list, found a spot that was empty and not on the list so we assumed it was not reserved. We paid for the site at the camp store and were told we were good to stay for the night. Turns out, someone actually had reserved the site for that night and the next three nights. Luckily, their friends who were coming weren’t going to arrive til the next day and they let us stay. But there was no way to know the site was reserved. There was no signage at the campsite and it wasn’t posted on the list and on top of that, the campground ended up getting paid twice for the same spot. 

  

The area is so beautiful, it was sad to not have that quiet, out of the city camping experience. 

  

That being said, at least everything was clean. 

  

If you’re looking for wilderness and peace and quiet, you will not find it here.

Too crowded and noisy

I really cant understand how this park has so many positive reviews.  Maybe we just stayed at the shitty campground. All of the sites were super teeny, tiny. Barely enough room for 1 car to be parked and have a small 2 person tent set up -if you can even find a flat enough space for it! The sites were also stacked right on top of each other. Don't expect any amount of privacy here or illusion that you are out in nature. The campsite is also about 200 yards away from a highway, so you'll hear highway sounds all night long. Exactly what you want when camping. We had planned a 2 night stay and left immediately in the morning after the first night because it was so terrible.

Quarry Pond- worst campsite I've ever stayed at

This a gorgeous park with very nice hookup sites. Lots of hiking trails and beach to explore. 
Nearby airbase flys jets during the week directly overhead. Very loud. 

Pretty but Noisy

We did a simple overnight,  wish we could have stayed several days.  A quick and simple walk to the beach and hiking from our site made this campsite awesome.  The site we had,172, was private and well maintained. Not an ocean view site, but still worth every cent.  Cranberry lake to the left of the entrance has some great fishing and a small swimming port. Will definitely be going back.  

This is hands down one of our favorite places to camp.  Great for families with a nice sandy beach and rocky beaches for rock picking.  It can be windy though.

Amazing!

If you can handle the constant sound of aircraft from the nearby base on Whidbey Island, you will be just fine at this location. If you want to talk over the aircraft noise all the time with your friends sitting right next to you or you can read lips, you’re going to be just fine.... so so so loud. 

Air base nearby

Want to feel safe and secure? I reserved space 97 at deception state park for just myself and was just amazed of the feeling safe when I arrived. Set way back from the road the campsite was surrounded by wilderness with a cute trail to the bathroom.  Friends did join me which added company to the breathtaking sunset at the bay to the right and the following day companions at the lake to the left... the site was arranged perfectly to house us all..loved it so much, I’m going back!

Feeling safe

The actual campground within the state park is called Quarry Lake Campground. Very nice forest feel and offers trails that go around the state park and follow along the sound and ocean. Did get a good bit pf road noise, but not the worst. The sites were a decent size and we felt like we had enough privacy. 

Quarry Lake Campground 

As a veteran, I appreciate the sound of freedom but just not when camping.  Deception pass campground is a very pretty place located between a beautiful little lake and ocean. The campsites are close together but with the thick foliage it was hard to see our neighbors. The biggest downside was the jet noise from the nearby Navy base that went on well past 10pm. 

There are a few great hiking trails and the beach is amazing. Well worth a stay if i the area. 

Cell Service: Great

Beach, Trees and Jet Noise

Enjoyed 1 night camping here. Campground is HUGE -- sites overlooking the ocean, lake or tucked away in the woods. Most of the sites have good amount of privacy. Stayed in site #110 with peek a boo views of the ocean. Got a little rowdy overnight but the rangers were able to quickly fix the situation. Jet noise was not an issue for us... they were few and far between and just sounded like "passing thunder." Bathroom facilities well-kept.

Large family friendly campsite

My wife, pup and I camped here last weekend at Quarry Pond and it was excellent. Private sites with easy dump access and plenty of trails and water nearby. We will be back. 

Rv Camped and Hiked

The campground is beautiful and clean - great showers, restrooms, next the the beaches. However, the noise is very loud. 

Noisy but beautiful 

With its many trails, lake side with sectioned off swimming area and ocean side with so me of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see you are sure to love this campground. There are many campsites to choose from with the 4 different camping areas. 

A family favorite 

Great campground with lots of trails for hiking. Sites felt private and it was quiet in the evenings. We stayed at Quarry Pond and enjoyed the hike to the bridge and around Goose Rock. You have to cross a busy street with no sidewalks in some spots in order to get to the most direct route to Cranberry Lake.

Great family friendly campground

Great campground on Whidbey Island in WA.  Site are very nicely spaced out and there is a lot of privacy with the vegetation around the campground.  The roads are a bit tight and hilly as you drive in and out.  Bathrooms are flush toilets' with token hot showers.  Short walk to a couple of different beaches and with in a few miles of a number of beautiful hiking trails and lakes. When the weather is corporative, the lakes are great for kayaking.  Careful though, the wind picks up easily and give you a rocky day on the water. Also with in driving distance of the other 5 state parks on the island that all have trails and great view of the strait of Juan de Fuca along with some historical sites.

Only downside (and it can be a big one) is the campground is in the flight path of the Navy air station Whidbey Island.  So there are times when the "sounds of freedom" are flying overhead and you can't hear the person next to you talk.  But they don't usually fly at night so weekends can still be peaceful when they are not flying.  Also, great place to check out parasailers on the water!

Cranberry Lake Campground

This spot had nice dense vegetation so it was private and we didn’t feel on top of anyone. Great for exploring with toddlers and teens. Beautiful sunsets!

Fabulous 

Nice location with beach access and a view of the bridge. Clean bathrooms and access to hot showers. 

Great views

Camped here in mid March and scored a last minute last campsite!  It's getting harder and harder to find sites off-season but this place is truly amazing any time of the year.

We stayed in the only open loop of the lower campground near the beach and the lake. Our site #122 had views of the water (lake and Sound) through the trees. There are a few others that are even a little more open and afford better views but this was the only one left and it was a lucky find anyways.

Short social trails from each campsite take you down to the beach or you can take the road shortcut from the end of the loop to the north.

Water in Cranberry lake was high and part of the parking lot, picnic area were covered in standing water. Campsites have fire rings and nice picnic benches, space for tents vary depending on site. Marginal AT&amp;T reception (oscillating between 4 G and 1 bar of LTE). Clean, heated bathroom with showers. Incredible beach with views of the Sound, Islands and the Olymipics, breathtaking at sunset!

Beautiful beach and lake camping on Whidbey Island

The views at Deception Pass are spectacular whether you are standing on the bridge above or down on the beaches. We saw seal and sea lions playing in the water close to shore. There were owls  in the RV campsite. The only draw back that would make me think twice about booking this location again is the constant noise from the military planes running drills in oak harbor.

Spectacular Beaches

Spacious &amp; private camp sites. 

Old growth forest. Trees so big around you can’t get your hands to touch.


Wildlife abounds

We found a last minute spot at Bowman Bay , site 177. Bit difficult to get truck and camper level up hill but site was shaded and secluded. Nice fire pit and table. Great easy hiking trails with wonderful water views. Would be fun with a kayak. Nice group shelter for a family birthday. Wish we could stay longer. 

Beautiful spot at Bowman Bay

We really enjoyed our visit to this state park. We were centrally located to explore Whidbey island, see the tulips in La Connor, and even do a day trip to San Juan Island.
The campground bathhouses were adequate, clean, and good hot water pressure. Per usual, the showers required tokens ($0.50 ea) for a 3 minute shower. Be sure hot is all the way on and cold off when you put the token in to ensure it gets hot fast!
We camped in the Lower Loop, site 148, Apr 24 - May 2, 2021. It rained the first day, and never dried out by the motorhome. However, this site did have plenty of level area to accommodate our 32’ Class A easily, along with our tow dolly, and space for 2 cars in front of the RV on the slope down to the paved road.

Great location, some sites remain muddy

Beautiful setting, several trails, etc.  Definitely a tourist destination campsites are a little close for comfort but it is very nice large campground. Beach access as well as a freshwater Lake lots of day use areas as well. Some cabins available, mostly standard sites. 

Busy but nice.

The sites are very private and there is a ton to do here. Hiking, beach, boat tours. We went pre-COVID, so there might be less to do now. In the evening they even had a concert at the outdoor amphitheater. It was one of the best places that we’ve camped. Really great for our kids. 

Great sites and activities

Deception Pass is one of our favorite campgrounds in WA having lots of coastal access and a trail system along the water which takes you to The Bridge as well as other lookout points on Anacortes island.

  

At different times of the year you can fish the shoreline for Searun Cutthroat and/or Salmon.

  

It has to be one of the most beautiful locations in WA with views of Lopez Island and a number of small islands.

A Favorite Campground for Us

I grew up in the San Juan Islands and had never made it to Deception Pass State park until now. I am so glad that we were able to book a spot here. It is very peaceful and beautiful. Lots of birds chirping, big trees, and ferns. We stayed in #170 which in our opinion is super private and spacious. Big enough for two tents and two cars, and big enough for families. 
I read reviews complaining about the growler noise 24-7 and we can agree that towards the end of the day that does get semi-old. But they have a job to do, and if you don’t want the noise, don’t stay near a military base. The beauty of the campground and the list of activities to enjoy outweighs that noise for sure. 

We will absolutely be staying here again due to how family friendly it is. Our 2 year old loves it. 

Perfect Family camping! 

Clean and tidy state park camping. Big camp sites with plenty of room to gather, play, or eat and spaced out nicely from other sites. Ever some of the next door sites are not visible due to the plant life so that is great if privacy is your thing. Close to water. Close to beach. Lots of hiking trails good for all ages. ADA friendly and pets allowed while on leashes. 

Deception Pass- Forest Loop

Eeverything about this campground is great. Lots of ADA access, the beaches, the trails, all stunning. I highly recommend. We even got an air show from the near by military base.

Stunning

This is one of the most popular locations in Washington State and easy to see why. Both fresh and salt water experiences are within a few steps away with amazing sunsets and breathtaking views. Plenty to do for each family member. The only downside is the cramped feeling in most of the sites and the difficulty of monuverability for trailers and campers.

Amazing location and experience

I suspect that if you are reading this you are already aware of the fact that you will not be roughing it at Deception Pass. Your about 10 miles from town in either direction here in a large &amp; highly staffed state park. 

  

There are really 3 campgrounds here. The fabled Bowman loop (if you got a site here, luck you!), the forest loop, in the main part of the park, and what I will call the consolation prize, Quarry Pond loop.

  

We stayed one night in the Quarry Pond Area and one night in the Forest Loop. 

  

Here are some impressions:

\- Personally, I'd pass on the Quarry Pond Loop. Lots of sites share a single bathroom. On the day we stayed they closed. the. bathroom. for. cleaning. at 8am. I mean. Whoa. Also, the sites are all very close together with little to no privacy. The whole campground gets a lot of highway noise though  some sites are nicer than others. Sites 45 &amp; 47 are on the little pond. No privacy but pretty nice spots anyway. That said, you are more than a mile &amp; across the highway from anything you want to do at deception pass. Which means you need to drive. So, what is the point? We stayed at site 361 which was bordered by a road on both sides with no vegetation. It feels like it shares a site with a cabin w/ no vegetation of any sort between the cab in &amp; 361. The picnic table is rickety and I picked up a lot of garbage strewn about the site. We had planned to walk our paddleboards across to cranberry lake to paddle but it was quite a ways to the nearest part of the lake and over a mile to the swim beach where we'd planned to launch. On the positive side, it's close to the bathroom and you have water &amp; electricity right in the site. This was a 1 or 2 star experience for me.

  

\- The next night we stayed in the forest loop in site 201, which is like another world! You are walking distance to the beach &amp; swim beach at cranberry lake. You can rent paddle boards or kayaks here, hang at the beach, etc. There is a coffee shack near the entrance of the campground. Bathrooms are spread a bit far apart but seem adequate for the number of sites. Driving through the campground basically all sites seem really nice. Lots of vegetation. Site 201 seems kind of iffy on the map because it is an inner loop but it's a huge &amp; private site with ample room for several cars or a very large rig &amp; lots of tents. The tent area is separated from the fire &amp; table area and it feels like it could be a double site (although it's not). We were lulled to sleep by the crashing waves and could hear eagles chatting from our site.

Large Campground w/ Lots of Amenities

Large forested campground in a massive state park. Lots of trails and Great Lake paddling. Beach access but strong currents make this a challenge to kayak on the sound, at least from the Cranberry Lake CG. 

Fantastic 

We stayed for 4 nights in the Forest loop campground, #69.  We tented.  Lots of vegetation surrounding the site. Private feeling, clean site, bathrooms were renovated and clean. Tokens needed to use the showers. Three minutes per token, four Tokens for $1.00.  You can buy the tokens at the entry booth as you arrive.
Our campsite was a pull through which made it nice with our truck. It was a medium sized campsite but just right for a family of 4.
You could walk to the lake swimming area or beach but if you needed to carry stuff to the beach it would be too difficult. We mostly drove with our picnic and swim stuff to hang out at the lake. But we did walk one evening along a nice trail to the beach to experience the sunset.
It was very pleasant to do our paddleboarding on the lake.
We did 2 morning hikes;  Bowman Bay and Lighthouse loop trail (beautiful views), and the Goose Rock summit loop (nice elevated views).  Both trails were good for kids.  Just beware of the cliffs with younger kids.
There were some great activities and entertainment at the amphitheater in the evenings for kids and grownups.
Loved this camping experience! 

Beautiful State Park and Campground

Beautiful area with lots to do. Electric, water hookups with sewage dump on the way out. Campsites are not level and can be a tight fit between trees. Lots of different beach trails &amp; bike paths. Whale watching excursions nearby. Cell service spotty. 

Cranberry Lake campground - Deception Pass, WA

Plenty of sites available in late September to reserve in advance OR claim by arriving and talking to ranger. No issues.

Great sites

I stayed at the Cranberry Lake campground because everything else was closed for the season. There were lots of cozy nooks to park anything from a car to an RV. The ocean and a lake are right next to the sites, and it was great to watch the sunset through the trees as I cooked dinner. There are bathrooms with flush toilets, but the showers require tokens. 

Forested campground by a lake and the sea

We have tent camped and most recently taken our travel trailer to this park. It my fav! Wake up early in am take your warm beverage and sit on the logs &amp; listen to the wave come in. Also you can occasionally spot whales from the shore.

Great Park Spring, Summer & Fall

Two nights at Deception pass state park.  Great wildlife, from porpoises and seals to eagles flying above.  

The Navy PBY museum in Oak Harbor is not to be missed.

Great wildlife watching

We came for 4 nights before Thanksgiving. The only part of the park that is open for overnight camping during the off season is Quarry Pond. About half of the sites with hookups (water, electricity) are reservation only and the other half are first come first served. There are also 7 primitive sites with no hookups that are first come first served. The first night we got in after dark and snagged a first come first served spot (336) but were able to reserve one in the reservation section after everyone cleared out on Sunday (315). The location is great for lots of hikes. Bathrooms were warm and clean. There is water at the sites with hookups up until late November when they turn it off after Thanksgiving but electrical is still available. Primitive sites are $20/night, sites with hookups are $30/night. There is a store at the entrance with firewood, food, propane, gas, etc. They have coin-op showers and provide a coin change machine.

Great Off-season Site With Hookups

Camped here for a couple of nights in a 25ft rv. Location was perfect, and enjoyed the beach and hike up to the bridge.  Cant wait to go back and explore the rest of the park.

Amazing park

Spent two nights here and while the park and coastline hikes were beautiful, I really couldn’t get over the constant jet noise from the F/A-18’s flying overhead. Not just a little bit, constant low passes incredibly close to the campground. The noise is so loud you can’t hear someone speaking right next to you. If there was a way to be sure the fighter jets weren’t flying that day, I’d go back, otherwise this park isn’t for me. 

Beautiful park marred by constant jet noise

Camping on an active aircraft carrier is great! 

  

Except if you're actually trying to camp in the woods. Everything was amazing, great little hikes, sweet freshwater and saltwater fishin, beautiful spots. Then the mfing jets started. They didn't stop for 72 hours. Don't even try to talk to anyone whilst the jets are happening. 

  

But..yea Id go back lol.

Great! For camping in the danger zone.

We visited deception pass in early June. It was amazing! You can find everything you need here. Gas station right before entering Deception Pass, clean toilet and shower, amazing view on the bridge, also we have water and electric hook-up in our site(#56). We use electric hook-up for our EV and it's faster than expected! Definitely come back in near future and remember reserve the site as early as possible!

Love deception pass!

Incredible park with a little bit of everything. Large spots. We stayed in a spot with electric and water hook-ups during Spring Break this year. Will be returning for more adventuring :) 

One of Our Favorites

Bottom line: I’ve only camped at 4 state parks in WA, however, this is the best one I’ve stayed at. 

Pros: Secluded Campsites. If you look at the map, you can pick some spots with privacy (tent and rv spots) 
Great trails in the area. For training, hiking, or just casual walking; you can do all of the above. Pet friendly area. 
Great views. Coastal views are gorgeous and close by. Bathrooms are extremely clean. Actually probably the cleanest public bathroom I’ve ever witnessed. 

Cons: Tight fits for a camper 24ft and larger. Doable, but you’ve gotta be diligent maneuvering in there. Firewood stand was closed during open hours, don’t know what that was all about. Not that big of a deal, just bring your own don’t rely on them. 

Best state park camping in WA

There were SO MANY available campsites when we got there. About mid afternoon. The ranger was super friendly and welcoming! The bathrooms were nice and had showers that require tokens that you can buy with your site at check in. The sites vary in size and shape but most of them are decently private/ spaced apart. The site next to us never got booked, probably because it was small, but it was nice for us because it was only a few bushes away. Sites include a picnic table and fire ring with grill grate . There was a trail to the beach not far from us and it was super nice. Although there are plenty of signs that require dogs to be on leashes most people did not adhere to those rules, so keep an eye out if you're bringing the doggos. Very family friendly, very cozy, very nice stay! 

Cozy campsites ! 

We have a car camping setup.  This parking pad worked great for us, and offered lots of space behind the truck for our tarp shelter and dog run.  The privacy is very good on 3of4 sides.  The trail system starts right at the back of camp, but the access is a little vertical, so not easy if mobility limited!  A short walk from the restrooms.  This is a busy campground, so there is a little noise, especially on weekends, from people and dogs doing their thing.  The bathrooms were very clean.  The showers are token operated and the vending machines were out of service.  

Nearly perfect

Well maintained. Only real complain was the worker with the leaf blower. But the noise was fairly brief. And beside it wouldn’t be well maintained without the maintenance. 

Very Nice Park

The ranger was very friendly and helpful. The campsite was a good size and most seemed to have a sense of privacy. Hot showers and great scenery. 

Beautiful park, we stayed on Forest Loop area of campsites and the sites there had lots of big trees and shrubbery that helped privatize them. Wonderfully varied terrain between the beaches with beautiful island views (saw an otter on the beach once), Hoypus Point hiking trails through traditional northwest forest/swordfern landscape, and Cranberry Lake with its roped-off swimming area. There were planes from the Air Force base that circled overhead practicing, so not the quietest park, but surprisingly they didn’t bother us - in an rv - though normally I’m noise sensitive. If you plan to visit other WA parks, just get the yearly Discovery Pass state park pass as all the WA parks seem to require it or a $10 parking/entry fee.

Beautiful, fairly private sites

Deception Pass State Park is huge and beautiful, perfect for families and photographers. The campsites are open and surrounded by forests, with clean facilities, fire pits, and picnic tables. The staff is super friendly, and our son loved sitting in their golf cart. The hike to see Deception Pass Bridge is awesome. We visited in the fall, and the weather was cool but nice. It’s a great place to explore and take pictures. We had a lot of fun and recommend it to everyone!

Great campground a short walk from the beach

My husband and I visited the Bowman Bay campground to celebrate our second wedding anniversary and it was one of the best camping trips we've had! This campground was lovely, a smaller campground right on the beach with great hiking trails to Lottie Point and Lighthouse Point. If you are going to camp at this campground, get campsite 279! It is by far the best one in this campground! It is not RV accessible however.  

  

It's a large site that is a bit more elevated than the rest, with a wall of foliage behind it and no immediate neighbor campsites (the nearest on is on the other side of your parking spot, but your parking spot is beside your campsite and not near it.) It's a really lovely campsite.

Photos of Deception Pass State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers