Sand Dune Trail - Deception Pass State Park

Directions:
Deception Pass State Park is located on State Highway 20 nine miles north of Oak Harbor and nine miles south of Anacortes. Deception Pass Bridge ties the two parts of the park together, linking Whidbey Island with Fidalgo Island.

From Seattle take I-5 north about 60 miles to Exit 230. Take Highway 20 about 18 miles to the Whidbey Island/Deception Pass turnoff. Follow Highway 20 six miles to the Deception Pass Bridge. Entrance to the Park is one mile further on Highway 20.

From the Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry: Drive north on Hwy. 525, which changes to Hwy. 20. Drive 50 miles to park entrance on left.

From Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula: Take the Keystone ferry to Whidbey Island. The shortest, most scenic route is to turn LEFT (ignore the directions on the sign) as you drive off the ferry. Drive past Fort Casey for about 4 miles to Coupeville. The road becomes Main Street; turn left at the light on Highway 20 East. Continue 19 miles to the park entrance.

Features:
Cranberry Lake is one of three freshwater lakes within the park. The Sand Dune interpretive trail loops through low beach dunes and along Cranberry Lake's western shore. The southwest side of the lake is a freshwater marsh separated from the Puget Sound salt water by a natural berm.

The .8-mile paved loop starts at end of the West Beach parking lot next to Cranberry Lake. Traffic goes one way through the parking lot. Go completely around the lot and park at one of several designated parking stalls. Two paved paths lead from here to accessible restrooms. (The right path is better for larger wheelchairs or scooters since it does not have a sign imbedded directly in the path.) Starting clockwise there are side paths to the lake which are too narrow to take. You eventually reach a graveled side trail leading to a marsh platform. The side trail has a slight incline with a 2 inch lip onto the wooden platform.

Amongst the reeds and grasses you might spot a variety of wildlife including loons, thrushes, wrens, beavers, muskrats, and mink. Because of Whidbey Island's temperate climate, many birds and waterfowl winter here, including bald eagles.

The trail continues through a beach forest and turns toward the ocean beach where it forks, leading through grassy sand dunes to another viewing platform.

This viewing platform is actually the end of a 6 foot wide short boardwalk. There are wonderful views of the beach, San Juan Islands, and the Olympic Mountains. If you can walk, it is only 20 feet from the boardwalk to the driftwood area which would be a nice spot for a picnic.

It would be nice if the park improved this "platform." There is no way to turn around at the end of this boardwalk. You will need to back up about 30 feet and turn around on the paved trail.

Other Info:
Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre park with 19 miles of saltwater shoreline, old-growth forests, and abundant wildlife. The trip is worth it just to pull off for breath-taking views in all directions. Probably the most photographed bridge in the state soars over the water more than 180 feet with rugged cliffs meeting the swirling waters of Deception Pass. You are surrounded by towering Douglas firs, wind-swept bluffs and beaches, contorted madrona trees, tidepools filled with marine life, and about 175 species of birds. The park has 35 miles of hiking trails going from the sandy beaches of the Puget Sound to the high rocky ridges of the park:. Lighthouse Point, Canoe Pass Vista, Bowman Bay/Rosario Beach Trail, Rosario Head, Pass Lake Trails, and the Heart Lake State Park Trails are on the Fidalgo Island side of the Deception Pass Bridge. Discovery Trail, Goose Rock Perimeter Trail, Goose Rock Summit Trail, North Beach Trails (Upper and Lower), and the Sand Dune Trail at West Beach are all on the Whidbey Island side of the Bridge. Of all these trails, only 1.5 miles are considered ADA accessible.

The day-use picnic area on the east end of Cranberry Lake is worth seeing, especially if you are looking for birding spots or want to fish from the pier. If the lake is high, the lower pier is accessible via a ramp.

If your passion is solitude, look elsewhere. It is the most popular park in the State receiving more than eight million visitors annually. Most do not go into the interior of the park so that part is less crowded. The Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is just south of the park. On any given day, you may hear what locals call "the sounds of freedom" from navy jets taking off and landing.

Fishing is popular in Cranberry Lake and in waters surrounding the Island. Sightseeing, dinner, and whale-watching cruises are available from many nearby businesses.

The lower loop and Bowman Bay campgrounds have over 250 campsites, 83 with electricity/water, 3 reservable primitive group sites, and 306 picnic sites some with kitchen shelters. The park also has an Interpretive Center at Bowman Bay.

Bowman Bay/Rosario Beach Trail - Deception Pass State Park

Directions:
Turn off on Rosario Road north of the Deception Pass Bridge on Fidalgo Island.

Features:

You can reach Rosairo Beach and Bowman Bay trail on the Fidalgo side of the bridge. The parking area at Rosairo Bay has accessible restrooms and the lower portion of the trail is accessible and leads to picnic tables and wonderful views of the bay. (See map.) The trail passes the Maiden of Deception Pass totem pole, which depicts a story of the Samish Indian Nation. Able-bodied companions and family can continue to hike up the short trail to Rosario Head Vista Point which has incredible views of the pass, the San Juan Islands, the Olympic Mountains to the west, and the Cascade Mountains to the east. This is a great place to share some wine and view a sunset! Maybe some day they will make this section accessible to all. If you can walk at all, it is worth the effort.

Kettles Trail - Coupville to Fort Ebey State Park

Directions:
Near historic Coupville, you can park on the streets or at the Coupville Elementary School at the corner of Main Street and Hwy 20 East.

Features:

The first two miles of this trail is paved and accessible, running along Hwy 20 East with views across the Ebey's Prairie. You can connect with the Ebey's Landing Prairie trail.

Ebey's Landing Prairie Trail

Directions:
Near historic Coupville, park at Prairie Overlook on Cementary Road.

Features:

Begun in 1996, the trail loops around historic Ebey's Prairie, wildlife refuges, and historic landmarks. Eventually this trail will provides access to downtown Coupeville, the Kettles trail system, Ebey's Landing National Historic Reserve, Fort Ebey State Park, and Fort Casey State Park. The accessible portion is rated difficult due to the hill below the Prairie Lookout and the gravel and rocks on the trail running next to the road. The bluff area is totally non-accessible.

Symbols

	An agency or a trip evaluation has rated all or part of the trail as wheelchair accessible.
	There is some terrain greater than a 5% grade. A wheelchair user may require assistance on portions of this trail. Suitable for power mobility devices.
	No Dogs are allowed on the trail.