Kayaking Cranberry Lake in Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island

Looking for more to explore in Deception Pass State Park?
Check out these hikes to Goose Rock and Rosario Head to discover enticing beaches, sweeping views across the Salish Sea, spring wildflowers, and more. For a longer stay, Deception Pass is a great place to camp.

SWIM

It was too cold to swim when we visited in May, but on a hot summer day a dip in Cranberry Lake can be refreshing. The water isn’t crystal clear, but it’s reasonably clean and not too cold. On the northwest side of the lake, there is a roped off swimming area along the sandy beach. Restrooms and changing rooms are available here, as are boat rentals in summer.

PADDLE

Cranberry Lake is ideal for for a fun, easy paddle. It’s not too big, but there’s a lot to discover. The swimming area and West Beach are often crowded in summer, especially on weekends, but getting out on the water is a good way to escape the crowds. In summer, kayaks are available for rent near the swimming beach.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Since Cranberry Lake is located within Deception Pass State Park, you will either need a valid Discover Pass, or you must purchase a $10 day pass when you enter the park.
• When boating, a $7 watercraft launching permit is also required. If you’re a frequent boater, you can purchase an annual pass for $80. Yes, this includes inflatable boats and paddle boards.
• Only human-powered and electric motor boats are allowed on Cranberry Lake.
• Don’t own your own boat? In summer, you may be able to rent one near the swimming beach.
• There are two parking lots for Cranberry Lake: the East Cranberry Lake lot near the main park entrance, and the North and West Beach lot located just north of the lake. There is also a small parking area on the northeast side of the lakshore prior to the North and West Beach lot. This is where we parked, and it’s an ideal spot to launch small watercraft such as kayaks and paddle boards.
• Restrooms are available near both parking lots and at the swimming beach.
• Pets on leash are welcome.
• Cranberry Lake and West Beach are great places for a picnic. Choose from the forested picnic site at East Cranberry Lake, or the windswept coastline of West Beach.

HIGHLIGHTS

For a small lake, Cranberry Lake features a great variety of terrain. Explore the sandy shores near the swimming beach, where the short Dunes Interpretive Trail guides you through the natural history and ecology of the lake. Scrubby forest lines the flat western banks, while boulders along the eastern shore beg to be climbed. Fishing from these rocks is a popular activity (don’t forget to purchase a fishing license!). Cranberry Lake is also a beautiful place to picnic. Choose a table near driftwood-strewn West Beach or a wooded spot at the East Cranberry Lake picnic area.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

The kids were eager to get out in our new inflatable kayak for the first time and explore Cranberry Lake. Its small size and (usually) calm water make it approachable for young paddlers. Plus, there are so many places to get off and explore! We visited a tiny sand beach, got up close with water lilies, and ran along the rocky shoreline. In summer, it’s perfect for a swim.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

There is so much to explore at Deception Pass State Park, why not stay awhile? The park includes several wonderful campgrounds. Despite having hundreds of sites, they often book up well in advance, particularly for spring, summer, and early fall weekends. Reserve well ahead of time to secure a spot.

Even if you have only a day, take your time to enjoy Deception Pass. The beaches near Cranberry Lake are fabulous places to play in the sand and take in the views. For a fun hike, check out nearby Goose Rock. You can even start your hike from Cranberry Lake! Just across the Deception Pass Bridge, Rosario Head and Lighthouse Point, both located along Bowman Bay on Fidalgo Island, offer great short, easy hikes. Bowman Bay is also great for paddling, or try nearby Pass Lake.

After an enjoyable hike to Rosario Head, we drove back across the Deception Pass Bridge and wound our way down to the shores of Cranberry Lake. My older son, J, was itching to try out our new kayak, and frankly, so was I! Shortly past the Cranberry Lake Campground entrance, we pulled into a lakeside parking spot.

“I’ll pump it up!” J enthused. A couple of months had passed since we tested it out in our living room, and at first we fumbled a bit with the valves. Still, in under ten minutes, the kayak was ready to launch. None of us were dressed to wade into the water, so I helped the boys get in at the water’s edge before pushing the boat out just enough to free it from the sandy lake bottom. One giant step later, all three of us were on board and on our way.

Wanting to make the most of J’s enthusiasm, I let him lead. The Aquaglide cut through the water cleanly, although we had some trouble keeping it straight. Due to our shallow launch site, I had decided not to attach the optional skeg to the keel. Unfortunately, without it, the boat turned almost too easily. Even with me madly paddling on the left, the boat started to skew counterclockwise. It was a calm day, so this surprised me. But to be honest, it may have been more the fault of the paddlers than the boat itself. I guess we’ll have to keep practicing!

The boys immediately decided to set off for the lily pads near the opposite shore. Cranberry Lake is fairly narrow at the north end, and we were across the lake in a matter of minutes. But before we reached the lilies, a small cove caught the boys’ eyes. “Let’s get out!” they cheered. We pulled up to the tiny beach and they clambered out of the boat, eager to climb the sandy hill and check out the mossy forest. “Ghost trees,” J noted, pointing out the beard lichen hanging from the branches.

I noticed a trail winding through the sand and paused to read one of the interpretive signs. Cranberry Lake, it turns out, was created when shifting sands gradually cut it off from the rest of the Salish Sea. Over time, the salt water was replaced by fresh water from underground springs, but a small pocket of salt water still remains at the deepest part of the lake.

Back in the boat, we made our way to the water lilies, pushing through the loosely gathered lily pads to get as close as possible. Could we touch one of the yellow lilies? We maneuvered until one came within reach. Gently, we touched the vibrant petals. They were thick, almost rubbery, and more like the lily pads themselves than the delicate wildflowers that bloom on dry land.

After our foray through the lilies, we turned back toward the eastern bank of Cranberry Lake, where Michael and Buddy, our golden retriever, were wandering along the rocky shore. The topography here is strikingly different from the northwest side of the lake. Boulders lined the water’s edge, and no “ghost moss” hung from the trees. The water along the shoreline was deeper, shaded by madronas and pines. It’s a favored spot for fishing, and several fishing lines sloped into the water, quietly waiting for a bite.

There was no easy place to disembark, but the boys were determined to try. This time, I stayed in the boat, not wanting to lug it onto the steep rocks. T and J ran to meet their dad, while I paddled up the shore on my own, carefully avoiding the fishing lines.

Before long, J wanted back in the boat, and I did some tricky back paddling to get close enough to shore for him to board. Taking his place in the bow, J and I made a quick dash back across the lake to the swimming area. While it wasn’t entirely straight sailing, our tracking had improved, and J started to get a feel for how the boat responded to his strokes. Hey, we were getting better already!

Back by our car, we carried the kayak ashore. It deflated in minutes, and was quickly dried off and folded, ready to be packed away until our next paddle adventure. Here’s hoping it won’t be long before we’re out on the water again!