Discover Skagit County

Explore Skagit County through a range of travel interests: birdwatching, trails, and water activities sit alongside art, local history, and a spring festival throughout the county. The routes also vary considerably—from a paved loop under a mile long to a long multi-use trail. You can tailor your plans to the experiences you want and the type of route you prefer.

Explore the Outdoors: Nature, Water, and Trails

At Padilla Bay Reserve in Skagit County, you’ll find trails and opportunities for birdwatching. Nature lovers can combine outdoor activity with wildlife observation there. At Deception Pass State Park, five watercraft ramps provide access for boating on fresh and salt water. Deception Pass spans two islands connected by distinctive bridges.

The Sand Dunes Interpretive Trail at Deception Pass State Park is a 0.8-mile paved ADA loop. At Rockport State Park, the Sauk Springs Trail is one mile long and rated easy. Both trails are short; the Sand Dunes Trail is also defined by its paved surface and loop format, while the Sauk Springs Trail is additionally rated easy.

Rockport State Park is located at the foot of Sauk Mountain. It has rare old-growth stands with trees up to 250 feet tall, as well as a view of the Skagit River. Check trail conditions on the Sauk Springs Trail before your visit; access conditions at Rockport State Park may change.

The Cascade Trail offers a different kind of route: it is 22.5 miles long, is a multi-use trail, and connects Sedro-Woolley and Concrete. Ten benches along the trail offer views of the Skagit River. Its length and two endpoints clearly set it apart from the two shorter trails.

History and Art

The Skagit County Historical Museum’s SKAGIT LEGACY exhibit depicts scenes from early life in Skagit County—from the mountains to the sea. The museum also offers events featuring local historians and guest speakers through Skagit Topics. Here, you can encounter history both in an exhibit and through events featuring a range of participants.

The Museum of Northwest Art collects, preserves, interprets, and exhibits art from the Pacific Northwest. Alongside the county’s history, art and its interpretation are distinct interests to explore. If you’d like to focus your trip on culture, you can distinguish these offerings from outdoor activities: SKAGIT LEGACY focuses on scenes of early life in the county, while the Museum of Northwest Art presents art from a broader regional perspective.

Spring Festival and Market

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a spring festival held throughout the county. The Sedro-Woolley Farmer’s Market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, handmade goods, baked goods, and prepared foods; live music by local musicians accompanies the market. The two offerings have different focuses: the spring festival takes place throughout the county, while the market combines its range of goods with live music by local musicians. Check the dates of the spring festival as you plan your trip.

To plan your trip, first consider whether nature observation, a particular trail length, art and history, or a spring festival should shape your stay. The options range from a short loop to a trail rated easy to a 22.5-mile multi-use route.

Discover more destinations: Sedro-Woolley, Anacortes, La Conner, Bow, Burlington, Mount Vernon, Walla Walla, Jefferson County

For the broader travel overview: Washington.