Deception Pass State Park-Cranberry Lake
Rate this placeNearby: Koetje Well Park Sumner Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Deception Pass State Park in Washington State is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
One of the main attractions in this park is Cranberry Lake, which offers a variety of recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking.
Visitors can take a walk around the lake on the Cranberry Lake Trail, which is a 2.5 mile loop that offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding forests. There are also several picnic areas and a playground for younger visitors.
In addition to Cranberry Lake, Deception Pass State Park is home to numerous other natural attractions, including two beaches, several hiking trails, and the famous Deception Pass Bridge. The park also has a rich history, including evidence of Native American settlements dating back thousands of years and remnants of military fortifications from World War II.
The best time to visit Deception Pass State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and dry. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities throughout the year, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Overall, Deception Pass State Park and Cranberry Lake are must-visit destinations for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and rich history of the Pacific Northwest.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Staysail RV Park - Oak Harbor
|
||
Oak Harbor City Beach Park
|
||
Quaker Cove Retreat
|
||
Rhododendron County Park
|
||
Bay View State Park
|
Koetje Well Park
Sumner Park
Skagit Island State Park
Holland Gardens Park
Shadow Glen Park