By Elizabeth Bentz
The sun is brightly shining, not a cloud in the sky, and the weather finally warming. Spring is in the air! Early springtime brings many changes to Deception Pass State Park, and one of my favorites are the wildflowers that begin to blossom. From Orange Paintbrush to yellow Oregon Grape, abundant colors are beginning to transform the landscape. Deception Pass State Park is renowned for its diverse landscapes and this variety lends to an abundance of different wildflowers. Explore the many wildflowers that vary across landscape, and season, that will soon be here!
Goose Rock
View an abundance of wildflowers at Goose Rock. The hike around the Perimeter Trail to the Goose Rock summit is surrounded by wild Rhododendrons. Late April to early May the Rhododendrons begin to bloom, showering the trail in beautiful hues. Along the trail, Red Elderberry, Red-flowering Current, and Serviceberry begin to bloom as early as April. Hike to the top of Goose Rock where, for over hundreds of years, the rock balds have built up a thin layer of soil allowing life to grow at the summit. Beginning in early April, the summit is transformed into a beautiful meadow where you can find Common Camas, Chocolate Lilies (Checker Lilies), Harsh Paintbrush, Oregon Sunshine, and Sea Blush.
Bowman Bay/Rosario
Explore the rocky coastal slopes of Rosario and Bowman Bay which are home to many species of wildflowers. The Lighthouse Point Trail and route from Bowman Bay to Rosario provide sunny spots with open meadows for flowers to bloom. In late April, visitors can find Paintbrush, Fairy Slipper Orchids, Spring Gold, and Common Camas. As spring turns to summer, keep an eye out for pink Foxglove appearing across the landscape.
West Beach
Discover wildflowers growing in the sandy soils at West Beach. In this unique ecosystem you can find Sea Blush covering the landscape during late spring, thriving on the sandy soils. Yellow Sand Verbena, a West Coast native plant, beings blooming in early May. Other wildflowers growing in the sands include Seashore Lupine, and Beach Pea.
Old Growth Forests
Travel among the old growth trees throughout Deception Pass State Park to discover several flowering plants. In early spring, Oregon Grape begins to bloom, and Red Huckleberry displays its lovely pink flowers to visitors. Hidden from view, Fairy Slipper Orchids begin to spring up in the moist damp soils and the small Blue-Eyed Mary can be spotted in the conifer forests by eagle-eyed visitors. During mid-June bright pink Foxglove begins to blossom in the dense old growth forest and white blossoms sprout from the forest Salal. 
These flowers are just a few of the many that visitors will begin to see at Deception Pass State Park as the weather warms. We invite you to check them out for yourself this spring. Happy Wildflower hunting!
