Bowman Bay to Lighthouse Point Hike: A Kid-Friendly Deception Pass Trail
The Bowman Bay to Lighthouse Point hike is one of my favorite family-friendly trails in Deception Pass State Park.
Serious hikers may question whether it qualifies as a hike at all. There are a few short climbs, exposed roots and uneven rocky sections, but much of the route feels more like a scenic walk through the park.
That is exactly why I love it.
Starting from Bowman Bay, the trail combines beach play, forested paths, beautiful views of Deception Pass Bridge, open coastal cliffs and opportunities to spot seals and porpoises. Kids also have plenty to search for along the way, including hollow trees, ferns, madrone trees and a formation my family calls Gorilla Rock.
You can complete the Lighthouse Point loop, turn around after your favorite viewpoint or extend the outing toward Lottie Point. That flexibility makes this a great Deception Pass hike for young children, grandparents, beginner hikers and mixed-age groups.
- Mileage and Elevation:Â ~2 miles RT, ~250 ft elevation gain.
- Difficulty level: Very Easy, Kid-friendly
- Location: Deception Pass State Park
- Estimated time required: 1 to 2 hours.
Keep Kids Engaged With Lighthouse Point Hike Bingo
Before heading onto the trail, print my Lighthouse Point Hike Bingo sheet for the kids.
It includes things they can look for during the hike, such as Bowman Bay Beach, Deception Pass Bridge, madrone trees, ferns, Gorilla Rock and other landmarks along the trail.
It gives kids a reason to pay attention to their surroundings and turns the quieter portions of the walk into a simple nature scavenger hunt.
Planning to Hike Lighthouse Point With Kids?
Download the Lighthouse Point Hike Bingo and see how many trail landmarks your family can find.
Stop 1. Let the Kids Enjoy Bowman Bay Beach
You may arrive planning to begin the hike immediately.
Your kids may have an entirely different plan.
Bowman Bay Beach has shells to collect, water to splash in, mud to investigate and sandcastles waiting to be built. I usually let the kids spend some time here instead of immediately rushing them onto the trail.
They might as well have their share of fun before the hike begins.
Sometimes they are willing to hike first and return to the beach afterward. On other days, they want to spend most of their energy at the beach. Either option is fine.
One thing I have learned while hiking with children is that they often enjoy spending time in one interesting place more than they enjoy completing a trail. Giving them space to play makes the overall outing more enjoyable and makes them more likely to agree to the next family hike without complaining.
Stop 2. The First View of Deception Pass Bridge
Once you leave the beach, the trail begins with a short uphill section.
After approximately five minutes of walking, you will reach a small rocky viewpoint with a view of Deception Pass Bridge and the water below.
This is an easy early reward, especially when hiking with younger kids.
It is also a convenient place to stop for water, a quick snack, et a tired or cranky child reset and take your first family picture of the hike.
It is not the largest or most dramatic viewpoint on the trail, but it gives kids a clear destination soon after leaving the beach.
Stop 3. The Best Deception Pass Bridge Viewpoint
Continue along the trail, and you will eventually reach a much larger clearing with a beautiful, unobstructed view of Deception Pass Bridge.
This is one of the best photo opportunities on the hike.
The open area gives you a clear look at the bridge, surrounding cliffs and water below. There is also enough room to pause without feeling as though you are blocking the trail.
Let the kids take their time looking around and posing for as many pictures as they are willing to tolerate.
Stop 4. The Rock Outcropping and Seal-Spotting Area
Right beside the clearing is a rock outcropping that you can climb for even wider views.
The climb onto the rock outcropping is short, but it is not completely straightforward.
You may need to hold onto exposed roots in a few places to maintain your footing. It should be manageable for people with moderate fitness, but younger children will need hands-on help.
We completed this section with three adults and three kids. The youngest child was four, and the oldest was eight, which should give you a general idea of the difficulty.
Not everyone climbs onto this rock, so it is often quieter than the main viewpoint. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with expansive views of Deception Pass Bridge, North Beach, passing boats and the surrounding water.
This has also been our best wildlife-spotting area on the hike.
We frequently see seals swimming or resting near the shoreline. There appears to be a family of seals that spends time in this area, and trying to spot them is always a highlight for the kids.
Stop 5. Beach
There is also a small beach in this area near the outcropping where children can stop and play.
Let them get their wiggles out before continuing.
Kids often prefer simply being in one interesting spot to continually moving toward the next destination. I try to give them that space instead of hurrying them simply for the sake of completing the hike.
The goal is not to finish the trail as quickly as possible. Some of the best moments happen when you stop long enough to watch the water, look for seals or let the kids explore the beach.
Stop 6. Finding the Lighthouse
After you have finished at the bridge viewpoint and rock outcropping, continue toward Lighthouse Point.
The trail crosses another open, cliffside area where you will eventually get a view of the lighthouse.
Set your expectations accordingly.
This is not a large, traditional lighthouse with a dramatic tower or lighthouse keeper’s cottage. It is a small navigational structure with a light mounted on top.
The lighthouse itself may feel slightly underwhelming, especially if the name of the hike led you to expect something grander.
But the lighthouse is not really the reason to do this hike.
The best part is walking through this beautiful section of Deception Pass State Park—the beaches, bridge views, coastal cliffs, forest and wildlife you encounter along the way.
Stop 7. Walk Through the Shrub-Lined Trail
After spotting the lighthouse, continue along the trail.
You will enter a narrow section surrounded by tall shrubs. For a moment, it can feel as though you are walking through a small maze and might be heading in the wrong direction.
Keep going.
The shrub-lined section is short, and you will soon emerge onto another open part of the headland.
This section is especially fun for kids because the surroundings change so quickly. One minute you are looking across open water, and the next you are walking along a narrow path enclosed by vegetation.
Stop 8. Find Gorilla Rock
We usually continue toward a rock formation that my family calls Gorilla Rock.
The rock looks surprisingly similar to the mouth or face of a gorilla. It gives children another small landmark to search for and adds a scavenger-hunt element to the hike.
Ask the kids to find it before you point it out.
Once they see the gorilla shape, it is difficult to unsee it.
The surrounding area is another good place to stop, enjoy the scenery and take in the views toward Rosario Head. Depending on when you visit, it can also be a beautiful place to watch the evening light or sunset.
Along this section of the trail, encourage children to look for smaller details as well. Depending on the season, you may see ferns, mushrooms and wildflowers beside the path.
These simple observation games help keep kids engaged without turning the hike into a race to the finish.
Stop 9. Should You Complete the Lighthouse Point Loop
After exploring the Gorilla Rock area, you have two options.
You can continue around the loop and reconnect with the main trail, or return the same way you came.
Completing the loop gives you more variety. Along the return section, look for two trees with large hollows in their trunks. They make another fun treasure-hunt challenge for children.
The out-and-back option allows you to revisit some of the best bridge and water views.
Both choices are good, so base your decision on your group’s energy level, the trail conditions and how much time you have.
Bowman Bay to Lighthouse Point Hike FAQs
Is the Bowman Bay to Lighthouse Point Hike Worth It?
Yes—especially for families, beginner hikers and anyone looking for an easy scenic outing at Deception Pass State Park.
The lighthouse may not be the dramatic destination the trail’s name suggests, but the journey offers much more than the lighthouse itself.
You get a beach at the beginning and end, close-up views of Deception Pass Bridge, peaceful cliffside areas, forested paths, wildlife spotting and enough small discoveries to keep children interested.
It is an all-season, all-age-group hike that can be adapted to the time and energy you have available.
And that flexibility is exactly why we continue returning to it.
Is the Bowman Bay to Lighthouse Point Hike Kid-Friendly?
Yes. Bowman Bay to Lighthouse Point is a good hike for kids because it is relatively short, the scenery changes frequently and there are several natural places to stop.
We explored the rock-outcropping section with three children ranging from four to eight years old. However, parents should expect exposed roots, uneven rocks and open cliff areas. Younger children will need help on a few sections and close supervision near viewpoints and drop-offs.
The hike is also much more enjoyable when you allow time for beach play, snacks, wildlife spotting and exploring instead of treating the loop as something that must be completed quickly.
Where should families start the hike?
Bowman Bay is the most convenient starting point for families because of its parking area, restrooms and direct access to the beach.
Can you see Deception Pass Bridge from Lighthouse Point Trail?
Yes. The trail includes several views of Deception Pass Bridge, including a large open viewpoint and a quieter rock outcropping overlooking the bridge, water and North Beach.
Can you see seals from Lighthouse Point?
Seals are frequently visible in the water near the rock outcroppings, although sightings are never guaranteed. Binoculars are helpful. Porpoises and orcas may also pass through the surrounding waters.
Is there a large lighthouse at Lighthouse Point?
No. The lighthouse is a small navigational light rather than a traditional lighthouse building. The coastal scenery, bridge views, beaches and wildlife are the main reasons to hike the trail.
Do you need a Discover Pass at Bowman Bay?
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle parking at Deception Pass State Park, except on designated free days or when another exemption applies.
Things To Do Near Lighhouse Point Trail?
- Lottie Point is the easiest add-on because its loop connects with the Lighthouse Point trail network. It offers more forest and shoreline views and works well when your group still has energy after completing Lighthouse Point.
- Rosario Head is another beautiful nearby option. The short trail leads to open coastal views, rocky coves and the Rosario Beach tide pools. It is a particularly good choice for sunset
- Make a daytrip from Seattle to Anacortes and visit Mt.Erie, Cap Sante Marina or Washington Park.
- Go east towards North Cascades Highway and explore the family friendly Rasar State Park trails to the wild and scenic Skagit river.
