Visiting Deception Pass? Plan ahead and prepare for limited parking

OLYMPIA — Your visit to Deception Pass State Park will look a little bit different this year as park staff steward its recovery from winter storms.

In January 2024, the West Beach parking lot was damaged in several areas and littered with large debris. Ahead of the park's busiest seasons, park staff is planning to create limited day-use parking availability in an undamaged area of the lot. This work will tentatively be completed in early May, permit timelines allowing.

The reduced lot will have a small drop-off area. RVs, trucks with trailers and boats will not be able to enter the reduced parking lot and must use other parking areas. Alternative parking will still be available in the East Cranberry Lake parking lot, approximately one mile away. 

“Safety is our highest priority, so we ask that people plan ahead, respect the closures and only park in approved areas,” Jessica Logan, Parks' Northwest Region Superintendant, said. “We recognize that the park experience is going to look a little different for a while. This park is such an important part of this community, so we want to make sure we’re making the best decisions for its future.” 

Addressing the damage to the West Beach area has two components: short-term cleanup of debris from part of the parking lot to re-establish some parking in anticipation of the park’s busy season, and long-term planning for sustainable redevelopment of this area. 

The West Beach parking lot is located near a delicate shoreline. Repairing the storm damage and moving any debris requires special permitting and cross-jurisdictional collaboration. 

What to expect during your visit 

The park anticipates the reduced parking at West Beach will put stress on other parking areas and create increased traffic within the park. Day-use visitors need to plan their visits ahead and arrive early, as parking is expected to fill up quickly. Day-use parking is not allowed in campgrounds and any unauthorized parking may result in a ticket. 

Parking along State Route 20 is not permitted and is extremely dangerous.   

“For everyone's safety, we cannot stress enough how important it is to park in designated areas,” Logan said. “Attempting to park along the highway puts other drivers and pedestrians at risk. Please help us prevent accidents.” 

The park will still offer summer programming for visitors, such as interpretive walks, Junior Ranger programs, and other activities from Memorial to Labor Day weekends. Popular programs such as the American Roots Concert series are still scheduled for the summer, though visitors should plan to check the park’s website for recommended concert parking.  

Check out a new park 

Parks encourages visitors to take this opportunity to check out one of the many other state parks nearby. These parks will be less crowded and may provide a more intimate experience with friends, family and nature. 

Nearby parks include:  

• Bay View, 25 minutes away 
• Ft. Casey, 30 minutes away 
• Ft. Ebey, 25 minutes away 
• Rasar, one hour away 
• Rockport, one hour and 15 minutes away

More information

For the latest updates and information, please visit the Parks website.