[jm31828]

Sorry if this is a rather dumb question. This past summer we bought a Discover pass so we can spend our time for this next year at State Parks instead of national forest hikes. Anyway we were disappointed to find out a couple weeks ago when going to Deception Pass that most of the good spots were closed- we couldn't even get into the parking lots (areas such as Rosario Beach or Bowman Bay). Of course that meant restroom facilities were closed, too.. So my question is, do most state parks in the area close down like this for the winter? If we tried going to South Whidbey State Park or Rockport state park, for example, would we be unable to get in or at least unable to use the restrooms at this time of year?

[Schroder]

Bowman's Bay and Rosario Beach were open for day use last week when I was there. The campgrounds are closed. Camping is open only at the Quarry Pond campground (Cornet Bay) at Deception Pass. Fort Ebey is open on the North End and the bunker. The Campground is closed. Fort Casey is open for camping year around. South Whidbey Campground is permanently closed and there is no beach access since a large slide last winter. The hiking trails are open though.

[RodF]

Most state parks remain open. Here's Washington State Parks 2016-17 winter schedule http://parks.state.wa.us/158/Winter-Schedule

[jm31828]

Thanks for the information! That is a helpful link. I assume when they say the park/day use is open, that restrooms are not closed?

[Schroder]

In the parks on Whidbey most of the water is shut off for the winter so only sani-cans & pit toilets are open.

[Schroder]

A little more information on the situation at Deception Pass - the septic system has been unable to keep up and some of the restrooms have flooded at times, particularly at North Beach, so they've closed some of the restrooms. The sewage is treated by the Navy Base but the pumps, piping and storage are too small to keep up with the record number of visitors - 2.7 million in 2016. This is all going to be upgraded in the coming months.