New to Skagit County? Here Are 10 Places to Fall in Love With First
One of the things I love about Skagit County is how much variety you can find here. You can spend the morning looking out over the islands, the afternoon exploring farmland and small towns, and another day heading into the North Cascades.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or moving to the area, these are the 10 places I think belong on your list. I’ve personally visited all of them except Fir Island Farm Reserve, which I’ve heard enough good things about to put on my own must-visit list.
1. Deception Pass, Bowman Bay, and Rosario Beach
Deception Pass is one of those places I think everyone should experience at least once. The bridge is impressive, but the surrounding beaches, forests, and trails make this an area worth spending a whole day exploring.
In the main part of the park on Whidbey Island, I especially recommend North Beach. You can follow the trail along the top of the bluff or, when the tide allows, walk the shoreline from cove to cove. From below, you get a beautiful view looking up at the Deception Pass Bridge, a perspective worth making time for.
Nearby, you’ll find Cranberry Lake and a large campground if you want to turn your visit into an overnight stay.
West Beach is another favorite on a beautiful summer day. When we visited, it was packed with people enjoying the sunshine and shoreline. The water is cold, but the setting makes it a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. At the south end of the beach, an easy, asphalt-paved interpretive trail takes you through the sand dunes.
Across the bridge on Fidalgo Island, Bowman Bay and Rosario Beach offer more rocky shoreline, wooded trails, and views across the water. At Rosario Beach, look for the Samish Maiden of Deception Pass story pole. If you visit at low tide, follow the designated tide-pool route for a closer look at the marine life.
My advice is to give yourself time to explore both sides of the bridge. There’s much more here than a quick stop at the overlook. Check the park’s current information before visiting for trail and facility closures.
2. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, RoozenGaarde, and Tulip Town
The tulip fields deserve their reputation. Seeing those long rows of color against the valley’s farmland and mountain backdrop is something I think everyone should experience.
Tulip time also brings the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, generally held throughout April, with gardens and events around Mount Vernon and across the county. Downtown Mount Vernon joins the celebration with its annual Tulip Festival Street Fair, making it worth pairing a trip to the fields with some time in town.
Two destinations I recommend putting on your list are RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town. Both offer a chance to get out among the spring color and appreciate why the tulips have become such a beloved Skagit Valley tradition.
Give yourself time to walk around and enjoy the flowers rather than making this a quick roadside stop. Bring your camera and shoes that can handle a little mud.
April is generally the month to plan around, but the weather determines when the flowers bloom. Check the current bloom report and each garden’s website for tickets and visiting information before heading out.
3. Diablo Lake and the North Cascades Highway
For a mountain outing, Diablo Lake belongs near the top of my list.
The drive east through the upper Skagit Valley is part of the experience. By the time you reach the overlook, you’re surrounded by rugged peaks, forested slopes, and that remarkable blue-green water.
What I appreciate about this stop is that you can enjoy an incredible view without taking on a strenuous hike. I’d set aside a full day so there’s time to enjoy the drive and make stops along the way.
The lake’s turquoise color is typically strongest on sunny summer days into early fall. You can find details on the Diablo Lake Overlook page, and I recommend checking road and park conditions before making the drive.
4. Downtown La Conner and the Waterfront
La Conner is a fantastic little waterfront town, and my advice is simple: save it for your lunch stop. With so many restaurants overlooking Swinomish Channel, you’re spoiled for choice when you want a good meal with a water view.
Start with Pie Dive Bar, a fantastic little spot serving sweet and savory pies. Nell Thorn Waterfront Bistro & Bar is another great option, and La Conner Waterfront Café makes a fantastic hamburger.
La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House is always a winner in my book, especially when the weather is good enough to enjoy its waterfront patio. There’s also La Conner Pub & Eatery for a casual meal overlooking the channel, and Calico Cupboard Café & Bakery for breakfast, lunch, or something from the bakery.
If you’d rather settle in with a glass of wine, try La Conner Sips, Hellam’s Vineyard, or the Skagit Crest Vineyard & Winery tasting room. All three give you a waterfront setting to relax and watch the boats go by.
Before or after your meal, leave time to explore the boardwalk, browse the independent shops and galleries, or visit the Museum of Northwest Art. I’d give La Conner an afternoon. You’ll want enough time to enjoy both the town and the table.
5. Edison, Bow, and Chuckanut Drive
Definitely visit Edison. It may only be about two blocks long, but this little town packs in some amazing culinary delights.
One place I especially recommend is Terramar Brewing & Distilling. As a guy who used to own a wood-fired pizza business, I have a real appreciation for a well-made wood-fired pizza, and they make some great pizza using local Skagit Valley ingredients.
They also make fantastic beers and distill their own vodka, gin, and whiskey. The atmosphere is fantastic, too. In the summertime, they host concerts in the back part of the property, giving you another reason to settle in and spend some time there.
Between Edison’s food, galleries, and small-town character, it’s worth making this a destination of its own. Add a drive through Bow and along Chuckanut Drive for views of the farmland and Samish Bay. If you keep following Chuckanut north, you’ll eventually cross into neighboring Whatcom County.
The Bow and Edison visitor guide is a useful starting point for planning your stops.
6. Mount Erie
Mount Erie is one of my picks for a big view without necessarily committing to a big hike.
You can drive up to the summit area and take in the surrounding lakes, islands, and waterways. If you want more time in the woods, the adjoining Anacortes Community Forest Lands offer opportunities to extend your visit.
I’d save this one for a clear day. The view is the main attraction, and being able to see farther makes the experience that much better.
Allow an hour for a short visit, or longer if you want to explore the trails. The City of Anacortes’ Mount Erie page has location and park information.
7. Washington Park in Anacortes
Washington Park is the kind of place I think becomes even more valuable when you live nearby.
The scenic 2.2-mile loop winds through forest and opens onto shoreline viewpoints, with plenty of reasons to stop along the way. You can make it a walk, a picnic outing, or simply a place to spend some time looking across the water toward the islands.
For visitors, it’s an easy addition to an Anacortes day. For new residents, it belongs on the list of places to return to throughout the year.
Check the Washington Park guide for current hours, including when the loop road is open to pedestrians and vehicles.
8. Fir Island Farm Reserve
This is the one place on my list I haven’t personally visited yet, but I’ve heard great things about it.
Fir Island Farm Reserve is known for its seasonal birdlife, especially the snow geese that gather in the area from fall through early spring. Swans, ducks, shorebirds, and raptors add to the appeal.
It’s on my list because it offers a different way to experience the valley, one centered on its farmland, estuary, and wildlife. I’d bring binoculars, take my time, and use the designated viewing areas.
If you’re moving to Skagit County, this sounds like an excellent reason to keep exploring during the colder months. The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s reserve guide has directions and information about what you might see.
9. Padilla Bay Shore Trail
Padilla Bay is a place I recommend when you want an easy walk and room to slow down.
The shoreline trail offers broad views across the estuary, opportunities to watch birds, and a closer look at the tidal landscape that helps make this part of Skagit County distinctive.
It’s a good addition to a day exploring Bow and Edison. You could spend part of the day enjoying the food and shops, then head out for a walk along the bay.
If you have time, check whether the reserve’s interpretive center is open and add that to your visit. The Padilla Bay recreation guide has information about the trails and viewing areas.
10. Rockport State Park
Rockport State Park deserves a spot on this list for its old-growth forest.
The enormous trees, moss, ferns, and fallen logs give this place a character all its own. It’s an opportunity to experience the upper valley’s forest without planning a demanding mountain adventure.
I’d allow a couple of hours to explore and appreciate the surroundings. It also makes a worthwhile stop on a longer drive through the upper Skagit Valley.
Before you go, check the park’s current trail information, particularly if you need an accessible route.
What keeps me interested in exploring Skagit County is how the experience changes with the seasons. Spring brings the tulips, summer opens up long days along the shoreline and in the mountains, and winter brings remarkable birdlife to the valley. Even after visiting most of these places, I still have reasons to return, and at least one new stop to make.