Arlington Between Trails, River, and History

If you’re looking for a hotel in Arlington, it helps to first sort out the themes you want to shape your stay: trails and cycling, the Stillaguamish River, the annual Eagle Festival, or the history of the city and valley. Arlington combines local landmarks with trails of different lengths. The distinctions below will help you avoid confusing a trail’s total length with the section in Arlington when planning.

Trails, Cycling, and Regional Routes

The Centennial Trail runs through Arlington, is paved, and is used for walking and cycling. It measures 30 miles along its entire route, extending between the City of Snohomish and the Skagit County line. For planning, it’s important to interpret the figures correctly: 30 miles refers to the entire trail, not just the section in Arlington. Permanent restrooms are available along the Centennial Trail at Haller Park, 1100 West Ave, and Legion Park, 114 N. Olympic.

The Whitehorse Regional Trail begins in Arlington at its connection with the Centennial Regional Trail. It follows the route of a former BNSF railway line in the North Stillaguamish River Valley. The two trails therefore have different defining features: the Centennial is known for its paved surface, walking and cycling, and total length; the Whitehorse for its valley setting and former railway route. A pump track was completed at Jensen Park in July 2026. Arlington’s Glen Eagle Golf Course has 18 holes.

Stillaguamish River and Eagle Festival

Fishing and floating are among the popular activities on the Stillaguamish River in Arlington. The annual Eagle Festival celebrates the eagles’ return to the river in winter. The eagles feed on spawning salmon in the river’s clean gravel and on snow geese in agricultural floodplains. If you’re planning your trip around the Eagle Festival, check the festival dates in advance; the specific date is essential to your planning.

Street History, Museum, and Local History

Olympic Avenue is Arlington’s historic main street, spanning six blocks. The Main Street Walking Tour begins at City Hall, at Third Street and Olympic Avenue. An Art Walk also takes you through the city.

The Stillaguamish Valley Museum preserves artifacts from the northern and southern headwaters of the Stillaguamish River Valley. Exhibits include household items and historical objects relating to the timber industry, diary keeping, the military, railroads, sports, medicine, education, transportation, and music.

Before European settlement, a village of the local Stoluck-wa-mish River Tribe, also known as the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, stood at the site of Stormwater Wetland Park. The village was called Skalbalko. This connection to the site adds the history of the land itself to the stories of the main street and museum.

Discover more destinations: Gold Bar, Snohomish, Everett, Mukilteo, Mountlake Terrace, Marysville, Lake Stevens, Monroe.

Go to the main travel overview: Snohomish.