Skagit River Valley, Washington State

I spent August of 2021 working as a whitewater rafting guide on the Skagit river in Washignton state. All summer long I kept hearing people refer to this river as the “magic Skagit”. This talk really seet my expectations high for this area. Needless to say, I loved my time working here. The beauty of this area has kept me coming back for frequent visits each summer. Every time I am shocked by how much is left for me to explore! In this blog, I am going to talk about the history of the Skagit river and share a few of my favorite activities in the Skagit River valley.

Getting to the Skagit River Valley

The Skagit River Valley is located about an hour north of Seattle. It sits in the middle of the cascade mountain range, and the North Cascades National Park lives within this area as well. If you’re flying into Seattle and looking for an epic day trip, I highly recommend checking this area out. Since Seattle is a major airport, if you play your cards right you can typically get cheap flights into the city. Spending a little extra time to find the cheapest flights means you’ll have a larger budget for exploring areas outside of the city!

Getting to this area of Washington is quite simple. You’ll hop on I-5, the major freeway in the state, and head north for an hour. From there, you’ll head east and start exploring the valley.

History of the Skagit River Valley

Indigenous peoples, notably the Coast Salish tribes, have inhabited this region for thousands of years. These people relied on the abundant resources provided by the river and surrounding lands for sustenance and cultural practices.

European exploration and settlement of the Skagit River Valley began in the late 18th century. It began with Spanish and British explorers establishing contact with Indigenous communities. However, it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that permanent settlements began to take root in the valley, primarily driven by the aggriculture and logging industry. The mid-1800s also saw the arrival of the first wave of non-Indigenous settlers, who established farms and communities along the banks of the Skagit River.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought highways and railroad systems, allowing more traffic to come through this previously isolated area. This facilitated the growth of towns such as Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, and Concrete.

One key aspects of the Skagit River Valley’s history occurred in the early 20th century. The construction of hydroelectric dams along the river completely changed this area. The first major dam, the Gorge Dam, was completed in 1924 as part of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, which aimed to harness the river’s power to generate electricity for the burgeoning cities of Seattle and Tacoma.

Another notable event was the establishment of North Cascades National Park in 1968.The park was created to preserve this unique environment. Today, North Cascades National Park encompasses over 500,000 acres!

Outdoor Activities Near the Skagit River

1. My favorite thing to do when I am in this area is to go whitewater rafting or kayaking. There are a couple of different companies that you can choose to go rafting with if you want to go on a guided trip. If you’re interested in learning how to whitewater kayak, check out Washington Kayak Club to join their next beginner whitewater course!
2. My second favorite activity in this area is camping and backpacking. The car camping around here is amazing! You can take advantage of the many forest service roads for free camping opportunities. As far as backpacking goes, there are many different options for all skill levels. I highly recommend spending a few nights in the Skagit River Valley!
3. My third favorite activity is hiking. There are hundreds of trails here! A few of my favorite include the Lake Diablo trail, Skagit River Loop trail, and the Baker Lake trail.
4. Go for a long drive. I have taken a few family members on long drives in this area. If you head into the North Cascades National Park and drive north, you will pass rivers, lakes, waterfalls, glaciers, and more.
5. Lastly, I love spending time at the lakes and paddle boarding! Lake Diablo is an amazing spot if you have a paddle board and want to spend a day or two hanging out outside.

Best Time of Year To Visit

I recommend visiting this area in the spring or summer. There are many fields that fill up with wildflowers. The landscape looks amazing when a sunny day highlights these beautiful flowers. Winters can be hard because there is often more snow than you would expect. All of the trips I have made up here between November – January included snowy weather. That being said, the snow minimizes the crowds. It can be nice to go in the off season to enjoy the solitude.

Things to Keep in Mind

1. This area is fairly remote. If you make it all the way to the entrance of the North Cascades National Park, you’re at least 20 minutes away from a town. The towns out there are also not to be too relied upon. You can find a few restaurants, a couple of gas stations, and one or two coffee shops. Make sure that you fill up your gas tank at or before Marblemount, WA. If you’re heading from  Seattle, your last grocery store will be in Darrington.
2. Be cautious of wildlife. The Skagit river is home to all 5 species of Pacific Salmon, leading to an active population of bears. Be loud while hiking and know what to do if you encounter one of these wild animals. It is also important to keep this river clean. Think about the areas you’re exploring and take the extra time to leave these trails and campsites better than how you found them.

For information on bears in Washington state, check out my blog post here!

Conclusion

Anyone living in Washington State needs to take the time to visit the Skagit River Valley, even if it is just for one day. The various activities that you can do out here makes it the perfect day trip no matter your circumstances.