Skagit

4. Sauk River to Sedro-Woolley(Lower Skagit)

Reach banner
DifficultyI(II)
Length49 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
GaugeSkagit River at Marblemount, Wa
Flow Rate as of 23 minutes
6710 cfs
Reach Info Last UpdatedMarch 3, 2023

Projects

Management of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River (WA)

Beginning high in the North Cascades, the Skagit Wild and Scenic River winds down steep slopes, through forested hillsides and wide open valleys, eventually reaching Puget Sound. The rivers of this system – the Skagit, Sauk, Suiattle, and Cascade – flow through rugged wilderness, forestlands, rural communities, farmlands, and [...]Read More


River Description

The Skagit River offers opportunities for short day trips or multi-day adventures on a river that flows through rural and agricultural lands with views of Mt. Baker and the North Cascades. Patches of intact riparian forest and off-channel wetland complexes remain with many of these acquired over the years by The Nature Conservancy, Forest Service, and Seattle City Light. The river is home to all 5 species of Pacific salmon and steelhead.

The Skagit Wild and Scenic River was designated November 10th, 1978 from Bacon Creek to the Pipeline Crossing in Sedro-Woolley. While the segment from the Sauk River confluence does not feature whitewater, it is float trip with gravel bars and a few islands providing places to camp along the way. The river becomes more gentle as it looses gradient and reaches tidewater.


River Features

Howard Miller Steelhead Park Access

Distance: 0.01 mi
Access Point
Howard Miller Steelhead Park Access

River right access in Rockport at Howard Miller Steelhead Park administered by Skagit County Parks and Recreation with a minor fee to use the concrete ramp. Located at Highway 20 mile 97.5. Turn off the highway onto Alfred Street and continue a couple blocks through town to the park on the river. The site has a day use area, camping area, and toilets.

Faber Ferry North (aka John G. Young) Access

Distance: 8.13 mi
Access Point
Faber Ferry North (aka John G. Young) Access

You can take out river left or river right at Faber Ferry. This access is the river right option administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and requiring a Discover Pass. At Highway 20 mile 93.4 turn at the sign marked 'Fishing Access' for Faber Road. The site is signed for no overnight parking or camping but has a toilet and concrete ramp.

Faber Ferry South Access

Distance: 8.21 mi
Access Point
Faber Ferry South Access

You can take out river left or river right at Faber Ferry. This access is the river left option administered by Skagit County and has no fee. At mile 6.9 on Concrete - Sauk Valley Road trun onto Skagit Ridge Road and follow it 0.1 mile through the neighborhood to a drive that heads down to the river. The site has limited parking and no bathroom but a concrete ramp.

Baker River Confluence Access

Distance: 13.97 mi
Access Point
Baker River Confluence Access

The Baker River Access is on river right and administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife requiring a Discover Passand. At Highway 20 mile 89.5 turn on to S. Everett Ave. This street transitions to a dirt drive along the Baker River to its confluence with the Skagit River. The access site on the upstream side of the confluence with the Baker River. It is signed for no overnight camping. Plenty of space is available for parking along the access road but there is no formal parking lot and no toilet at this stie. While there is no boat ramp the site has easy low bank access and you can drive to the river's edge.

Birdsview Access

Distance: 23.2 mi
Access Point
Birdsview Access

This site is a river right access point administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife requiring a Discover Pass. At Highway 20 mile 84.0 turn on to Cape Horn Road. Head 1.3 mile down this road and then turn left at the sign marking a dead end road. Follow this road 0.9 along agricultural fields to the road's end an the access point. No toilet is at the site but it has a concrete ramp and parking area. While camping is not available at this site, Rasar State Park is a short distance downstream and has a camping and day-use area but no boater access to the river.

Pressentin Access

Distance: 23.31 mi
Access Point
Pressentin Access

This access on river left is just downstream of Pressentin Creek and managed by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildife and requiring a Discover Pass. This access has a short fishermen's trail to the river. It is suitable for hand-carry craft and requires a short walk out. It is not practical for larger boats.

Hamilton Access

Distance: 26.91 mi
Access Point
Hamilton Access

River right access in the town of Hamilton administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and requiring a Discover Pass. From Highway 20 mile 77.3 head 1.2 mile through town and then upstream as you approach the river. The site has no formal parking lot but an area to park, toilet, and concrete ramp.

Lyman Ferry North Access

Distance: 30.33 mi
Access Point
Lyman Ferry North Access

You can take out river left or river right at Lyman Ferry. This access is the river right option, an informal site in the ferry crossing right of way that has no fee.

Lyman Ferry South Access

Distance: 30.35 mi
Access Point
Lyman Ferry South Access

You can take out river left or river right at Lyman Ferry. This access is the river left option, an informal site in the ferry crossing right of way that has no fee.

Pipeline Crossing

Distance: 42.53 mi
Other
Pipeline Crossing

The downstream boundary of the Skagit Wild and Scenic River at the Pipeline Crossing in Sedro-Woolley. Not an access point.

Sedro-Woolley Riverfront Park Access

Distance: 43.44 mi
Access Point
Sedro-Woolley Riverfront Park Access

Access on river right in Sedro-Woolley administered by Sedro-Woolley Parks with a modest launch fee to use the ramp. From Highway 20 mile 66.1 turn south on Township Street. Follow this street 1.2 mile south and turn left on River Road and then turn right into the park. The river access is on the upstream side of the campground and has a concrete ramp, toilet, and parking area.

Skagit River Park, Roger 'Gus' Tjeerdsma Boat Ramp

Distance: 48.53 mi
Access Point
Skagit River Park, Roger 'Gus' Tjeerdsma Boat Ramp

Access on river right at Skagit River Park near the tideline and just upstream of the Interstate 5 bridge administered by Burlington Parks as the Roger 'Gus' Tjeerdsma Boat Ramp. At Highway 20 mile 61.5 turn south on Gardner Road and head 0.9 mile to where it dead ends at the river. The site has a large parkign area, concrete ramp, and porta-potty.


Photos of access sites from a drive along the Skagit River.

Driving up the Skagit River and took a few photos of some of the access points.

A few photos of Howard Miller Steelhead Park showing the amenities of this access point that includes a day use area and campground.