Deception Pass State Park RV & Campground Guide
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It may be called Deception Pass, but there’s no fooling: this state park is the most-visited in Washington state for very good reason. Along with its landmark bridge and stunning sunsets, the park is also home to towering cliffs, inviting coves, and plenty of Puget Sound beachfront. Visitors can hike forest trails or dip their toes in the sand while shell-hunting -- and don’t forget to keep an eye out for whales on the horizon.
Encompassing almost 4,000 acres of stunning Washington countryside and boasting thousands of feet of both freshwater and saltwater shoreline, Deception Pass State Park is the perfect destination for Washingtonians and out-of-staters alike. Here’s what you need to know to experience the park in comfort, ease, and style.
Spring 39-64 F
Summer 50-67 F
Fall 39-65 F
Winter 36-49 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass State Park offers a generous campground outfitted with over 130 partial hookup sites, as well as a dump station, showers, and restrooms. RVs of up to 60 feet in combined length are welcome, and fees start at just $25 nightly.
Of course, with affordable prices and stunning views, it’s no surprise that the on-site slots at Deception Pass fill up quickly. Fortunately, there are a number of other campgrounds in the area to choose from, whether you’re tent camping or upgrading your stay to the #RVlife with your own rig or an RV rental.
(Psst: if you haven’t tried out a camping trip in a travel trailer or motorhome yet, you’re totally missing out! Fortunately, the peer-to-peer market at RVshare makes it much more affordable to rent RVs of every shape, size, and footprint, so you can try out this unique travel lifestyle without breaking the bank.)
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
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!
Outside Deception Pass State Park
Don’t get us wrong: you could easily spend an entire week, or even longer, inside Deception Pass State Park without feeling bored or antsy. But there’s also a ton of excitement (and eats!) to discover outside the park’s boundaries.
Restaurants
We’ve all got to eat. Why not make it into part of your vacation experience? Here are a few local eateries to treat yourself to:
Noe Jose Cafe
Whether it’s a hearty breakfast (served all day!) or comforting American fare, Noe Jose Cafe has got you covered -- and it’s affordable to boot. They also offer a few Mexican dishes if you’re looking to spice things up a bit!
Type: American, Mexican
Location: Oak Harbor, Washington
Greek Islands Restaurant
Whoever said healthy doesn’t taste good had never heard of the Mediterranean diet! Enjoy all your favorite traditional Greek eats, like spanakopita and grape leaves, as well as local seafood served with a Grecian twist. A must-visit!
Type: Greek
Location: Anacortes, Washington
Seabolts Smokehouse
If you don’t eat smoked salmon, can you really say you’ve been to Seattle? And if you’re gonna do it, you might as well do it right at this family-run joint that’s been in the business for decades.
Type: Americn
Location: Oak Harbor, Washington
Sightseeing
Honestly, if you’re in the Seattle area, chances are you’ve already got lots on your to-see itinerary. This is one of the most beautiful and diverse parts of the country.
But just to help you plan and make sure you don’t miss any must-sees, here are a few things you definitely want to add to your schedule.
Pike’s Place Market
While lots of cities have open air markets, not all of them share the distinction of being the birthplace of something as famous as Starbucks coffee -- though given all the other delicacies you’ll find there, you’ll probably want to skip your normal breakfast of a latte and oatmeal. We hear the perogies are to die for, and, of course, it’s Seattle… so don’t skip out on the seafood.
Location: Seattle, WA
Olympic National Park
While many of America’s national parks have cute gateway cities, few of them are as close to a major metropole as Olympic! Encompassing a range of different ecosystems, this is one of the only places in the world where you can travel from mountaintop to seaside in the space of an hour. You should definitely take advantage of the opportunity while you’re in town.
Location: Port Angeles, WA
How to Get to
Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass State Park is located along the Puget Sound just outside of Seattle, and is accessible via I-5 and WA-20. For exact directions to the park from your specific location, plug the following address into your GPS or navigational system:
Deception Pass State Park
41229 WA-20
Oak Harbor, Washington 98277
Entering Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass State Park is open from 6:30 a.m. until dusk in the summer and 8 a.m. until dusk in the winter. Like all Washington state parks, Deception Pass requires visitors to purchase a Discover Pass to enter.
Deception Pass State Park Discovery Pass : $10.0
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
With its awe-inspiring sunsets, mysterious coves, and over 77,000 acres of shoreline, people come to Washington's most-visited state park year-round. Summer is popular at Deception Pass State Park for swimming and its free concerts.
Bird lovers will enjoy the abundance of opportunities to birdwatch along the park's numerous hiking trails. For those who prefer marine wildlife, you'll likely catch a glimpse of a whale or porpoise in the wild waters along the park's coastline.
Deception Pass State Park has 134 partial-hookup sites. The sites are located throughout the park at one of three campgrounds. Restrooms have showers, lights and running water and are located in each campground.
Reserving a camping spot at Deception Pass State Park can be made using the park's online reservations system. The cost varies depending on the season. Rates vary from $35 for winter to $50 for peak season.
All of the park's campsites are ADA compliant. The park also has 1.2 miles of ADA hiking trails so everyone can enjoy nature at its finest. Wheelchair-accessible lookouts of the pass are available, too.