Bowman Bay on Fidalgo Island
We all need to stretch out our sea legs and Bowman Bay at Deception Pass State Park on Fidalgo Island is a perfect spot. The waters are often calm, which means it is great for year-round beach walking and kayaking, and it has easy hikes with amazing views. Two Bowman Bay Hikes with Views of Deception Pass Bridge.
Deception Pass State Park is the most visited park in Washington State and offers views of Deception Pass Bridge, the Olympic Peninsula and Rosario Strait. The quiet cove of Bowman Bay was originally the site of a large Samish village, as well as, a military park and a salmon hatchery.
The park offers seasonal camping and kayak rentals, picnic areas, a small playground, a fishing dock and two of my favorite hikes―Lottie and Lighthouse Point trails.
Hiking Lottie Point and Lighthouse Point Trails
Start the 2.6-mile trail at the south end of the grassy area. It meanders past a marsh and up a steep cliff lined with madronas and views of Bowman Bay. Then, it drops down to sea level where the trail splits. To the left is the half-mile Lottie Point trail.
It follows Lottie Bay and then heads upward to small viewing areas of Deception Pass and Canoe Pass. The beach below is a fun side adventure, but it can be a little tricky to access. The last time I was there it required crawling down a fallen log.
Follow the loop back to the fork and cross the beach to access Lighthouse Point trail. Take some time on the beach and look for ducks, otters and sea asparagus. At the far end of the beach, you’ll meet up with the trail and when you come to a hollowed-out burned tree take the left fork. From here the trail makes a mile-long loop around the point. There are fantastic views of Deception Pass Bridge, Whidbey Island, North Beach, as well as, a beach for picnicking.
The trail continues up a grassy slope, which has a geological survey marker and onto Vista Point. From here catch the loop back to Bowman Bay. For a longer hike walk past the campground area to the one-way trail and take it to Rosario Beach.
Enjoy the view.