There are some spots in Washington that are simply iconic — the Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and Mount Saint Helens, just to name a few. But over the years, the Deception Pass Bridge has come to be one of the most photographed landmarks in the state. And if you’ve never been, you owe it to yourself to see it.

Located on Whidbey Island, Deception Pass State Park is Washington's most visited state park.
Jason Thompson / Flickr
The rugged cliffs, mysterious coves, and water views make it especially appealing.
Without a doubt, the Deception Pass Bridge is the park's most famous landmark.
aribix / Flickr
The bridge, which actually consists of two 2-lane bridges, connects Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island.
In 1792, Joseph Whidbey, master of HMS Discovery and Captain Vancouver's chief navigator, chartered the bay and made a few discoveries.
Dave Morrow / Flickr
Not only did he realize it wasn't really a small bay (hence its name, Deception), but his fleet also learned Fidalgo and Whidbey were two separate islands and not a peninsula.

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Construction of the bridge began in 1934, and the completed bridge was dedicated on July 31, 1935.
WSDOT / Flickr
It cost more to paint the spans in 1983 than to build them in 1935. They were painted again in 1997.
In 1982, the Deception Pass Bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Pascal Walschots / Flickr
Currently, around 20,000 vehicles per day drive across it.
The next time you find yourself on Whidbey Island, take some time to stop and admire this bridge.
Beth Jusino / Flickr
It's a local icon and a historic treasure.

Have you ever been to Deception Pass State Park? Here are some other Whidbey Island gems to explore.

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