Deception Pass State Park adds rental cabins to its visitor offerings

Starting this month, the public can rent two cabins located on the east side of Deception Pass State Park. The cabins are part of the Cornet Bay Retreat Centre, an environmental learning camp the state rents out to private groups such as schools and churches.

By Debra Vaughn • October 27, 2015 6:16 pm
A couple of newly refurbished cabins located on the east side of Deception Pass Park are now available to the public for rent.
A couple of newly refurbished cabins located on the east side of Deception Pass Park are now available to the public for rent.

If you’ve always wanted to camp at Deception Pass, but tents aren’t your thing and you don’t own an RV — problem solved.

Starting this month, the public can rent two cabins located on the east side of Deception Pass State Park. The cabins are part of the Cornet Bay Retreat Centre, an environmental learning camp the state rents out to private groups such as schools and churches.

“We added them for people who are looking for an opportunity to be in the park without freezing to death in the wintertime,” said park manager Jack Hartt. “It’s for those who want get out here in winter and still enjoy the park, without having to suffer in a tent.”

Until now, Deception Pass offered dozens of tent and RV sites for camping, but only one cabin for rent. It’s located on Ben Ure Island and those who rent it have to canoe or kayak to access it. And the Ben Ure cabin only accommodates up to two people per stay.

The park recently refurbished the Cornet Bay Retreat Centre cabins. Don’t expect a luxury experience. But the cabins are comfortable, light, bright, clean and, most importantly, heated.

The first contains a queen-sized bed and bunk beds in a semi-open floor plan. The second has a queen-sized bed in a bedroom and room for three more people in the living area. Both have a kitchen and bathroom and are minimally furnished. They cost $90 and $120 a night, respectively.

Guests need to bring their own linens and food and are expected to tidy up before they leave.

The cabins are located on the edge of the camp with a nearby trail toward Goose Rock, the highest point on Whidbey Island with stunning views. Cornet Bay is close by.

The park won’t be renting the two cabins when private groups rent the entire learning center, Hartt said.

The state is still working out the kinks of how these two cabins are rented. Eventually, they may be a part of the online state reservation site. At the moment, those interested in renting the cabins should call 360-902-8600. Later this year reservations can be made online at the state park’s website.

This spring, campers can rent even more cabins at Deception Pass. The park plans to offer another half dozen rustic cabins for rent near its campground at Quarry Pond. At the moment, that camping area has a few tents sites and 48 RV hook-up sites.