Paving will limit parking at Deception Pass State Park

OLYMPIA — Parking at Deception Pass State Park is reduced while it is under repair from winter storm damage.

In January, the West Beach parking lot was damaged in several areas and littered with large debris. There will be limited day-use parking availability in an undamaged area of the lot. The repair work is projected to 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 lot and must use other parking areas. Alternative parking will still be available in the East Cranberry Lake parking lot, approximately 1 mile away.

Repairing the 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.

Park staff anticipate stress on other parking areas and 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 Highway 20 is not permitted and is extremely dangerous.

Parks staff encourages visitors to visit the many other state parks nearby.

Source: Washington State Parks