PARKS
DECEPTION PASS
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State parks offer recreation options Island County contains a bushel of parks, each with unique recreational opportunities all wrapped up in the majestic beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Seven state parks highlight the list of places to play. Sitting on the northern tip of Whidbey Island like a tiara, Deception Pass State Park is the crown jewel of Washington's parks and is its most popular, attracting more than 1 million visitors each year. DECEPTION PASS is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park 10 miles north of Oak Harbor and includes 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline and three freshwater lakes. Weaving through the park are 38 miles of hiking trails (1.2
miles ADA rated), as well as three miles of bike trails and six miles of horse trails. The park contains two docks, five boat ramps, two amphitheaters, 11 kitchen shelters, an interpretive center and more than 200 camp sites. A hidden treasure is the rental cabin on Ben Ure Island only accessible by a human-powered boat. JOSEPH WHIDBEY STATE PARK is three miles west of Oak Harbor and provides day-use activities, including beach combing, picnicking and birdwatching. About five miles south of Coupeville is Central Whidbey's most prominent park, Fort Casey, SEE PAGE 21
experience whidbey and camano ‚ islander 2014