We also took the Cranberry Lake Trail which was a bit muddy due to rain. On the second day we took the North Beach Trail where we spotted seals and tide pools. We took the Lighthouse Point Loop and soaked up some sunshine on the sandy beach at Bowman Bay. Hiking trails are located throughout the park and most offer Puget Sound views where you might spot whales and seals. On your way there, you can access the park via I-5 or the Mukilteo ferry (Clinton). After extensive exploring, I have compiled some tips to spend your time in this area. I first remember seeing this beauty in the 90s movie Free Willy 2. The park border also includes a small section of Lake Campbell. A mere hour and a half from Seattle, lies the iconic Washington bridge. We found beautiful picnic tables scattered around Cranberry Lake with fantastic views, some tables are even located on the dock. The park includes two freshwater lakes for fishing or swimming, Cranberry Lake and Pass Lake. Camping is located at three locations in the park. The campground offers 172 tent sites, 134 partial-hookup sites, five hiker/biker sites, one dump stations, 20 restrooms (four ADA) and 10 showers (four ADA). The campground design is extremely thoughtful and each site feels like its own private oasis. Given the popularity of this location we were surprised to find that every campsite we saw was large and private. The south side of the park includes a large campground.Īfter driving over the famous Deception Pass bridge we entered the park and checked in at one of two classically designed Ranger Stations at the main entrance on Whidbey Island. Both sides of the park offer hiking trails, picnic areas, beaches (fresh and saltwater) and water activities. Located in Northwest Washington and spanning two islands, Whidbey and Fidalgo, the park is connected via the Deception Pass bridge.ĭeception Pass State Park is enormous at 3,854 acres which includes 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. Go to no wonder Deception Pass State Park is Washington’s most visited park. There are also lists recommended reading and guidebooks for every age level to make the most of a day at a Whidbey beach. Learn, look and kneel quietly by tide pools.īeach Watchers’ Web site contains lots of information on local beaches, marine life and beach etiquette. Turn rocks over cautiously and return them carefully to original positions. “And so easy for nothing to be left,” Gene Thatcher added. “Maybe it will re-attach but who knows,” Holmes said. Jan Holmes discovered a large anemone detached from a boulder. Saturday, several family groups from Everett had been scrambling around, upending rocks and damaging some creatures. “At first a rock may only have barnacles but if you look closer, you see an amazing diversity on and around the rocks,” Adams said. Under each rock, against each boulder, intertidal plants creatures may thrive: crabs, barnacles, mussels, anemones, sea weeds, algae, sponge, periwinkle. At low tides, rocks shade invertebrates from predators as well as from drying sun and wind. At this popular local beach, cobbles and boulders create havens for marine critters. With the goal to awaken curiosity and encourage tide pool stewardship, staff have developed a fun filled program for K-5th grade. “We want people to have fun while understanding what special places beaches are.”Īdams and other Beach Watchers had come to scout Libbey Beach at low tide Saturday. This Fall, the Interpretive Team at Deception Pass State Park, launched a brand-new virtual field trip of the Rosario tide pools. “Beaches are treasures we want to be able to pass along to others,” Beach Watcher Mary Jo Adams said. Volunteers will be at each park this weekend. ![]() The 2003 class of Beach Watchers has selected Double Bluff and Deception Pass state parks for special attention since this year and next will have the lowest low tides in an 18-year cycle. “They’ve been out every low tide weekend to help people understand how to respect this particular environment.” “Today, teachers with lesson plans bringing school groups are our best guests,” Blank said.īlank is grateful to Washington State University Island County Beach Watchers. Blank’s seen two large sea stars this year:īoth were lost to unprepared school groups who pried the marine invertebrates off the rocks.īlank said the environment may never return to pre-May 1995 conditions, but he is encouraged by all the work that has been done to educate park visitors. Today, blue mussels are at a four-year low point. Blue mussels and sea lettuce are crucial to marine life - if one is destroyed, 350 other species of plants and animals could be decimated.īlank said in 1990, he could look over tide pools covered with clusters of mussels and count 20 large sea stars in every tide pool.
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