Skagit Tours are Back!
In partnership with North Cascades Institute, we are excited to once again invite you to escape to the beauty of the North Cascades with Skagit Tours this summer. Our tours comply with current health and capacity guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable tour experience for all. Visit our Skagit Tours webpage for more information on tours for the 2021 season.
Not able to visit this summer? View Virtual Skagit Tours on North Cascades Institute’s website.
Skagit Recreation Opportunities
Explore the historic community of Newhalem and nearby attractions including Ladder Creek Falls and the Trail of the Cedars. You can also visit the Skagit Information Center starting this month.
Recreation Open in 2021
NEWHALEM
Skagit Information Center
- Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Friday–Sunday through Jun. 30. Open seven days a week Jul. 1–Sept. 30.
- Details: Face coverings and social distancing required.
Trail of the Cedars
- Hours: Open daily year-round.
- Details: Three-quarter-mile loop trail to Newhalem Powerhouse offering views of large western red cedars and the Skagit River.
- Directions: Trail starts in Newhalem at the end of Main Street opposite Highway 20.
- More info: Visit the National Park Service website.
Ladder Creek Falls Trail and Gardens
- Hours: Open daily year-round. Lighted from dusk to 11:00 p.m.
- Details: Half-mile loop trail provides spectacular views of the waterfalls, including a series cascading through a slot rock canyon, and Ladder Creek Gardens. Visit at night for a light show that illuminates the falls.
- Directions: Trail starts at the parking lot across the river from Gorge Powerhouse. Follow the trail to the right and cross the suspension foot bridge.
- More info: Visit the National Park Service website.
Public restrooms available
- Location: Next to Skagit Information Center.
DIABLO AND DIABLO LAKE
North Cascades Environmental Learning Center
- Details: The campus is closed to the general public, but you can sign up for programs in advance on North Cascades Institute’s website.
Diablo Lake Trailhead and Ferry Dock
- Hours: Gate is open from 7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and will open automatically for exit after 4:30 p.m.
- Details: Road across from Diablo Dam is currently open for access.
Diablo Lake Ferry
- Hours: Daily departures (one-way only) from: Ross to Diablo at 11 a.m. and Diablo to Ross at 2 p.m.
- Details: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ferry is only operating for guests with reservations at Ross Lake Resort; face coverings required.
Stetattle Creek Trailhead
- Details: Visit the National Park Service website.
Sourdough Trailhead
- Details: Visit the National Park Service website.
Public restrooms available
- Location: Across Diablo Dam.
Recreation Closed in 2021
NEWHALEM
The Gorge Inn
Gorge Powerhouse Visitor Gallery
Skagit General Store
Questions about Skagit Recreation? Call us at (206) 386-4478 or email us.
Boundary Recreation Opportunities
The Boundary Reservoir at our Boundary Hydroelectric Project offers many recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, and sightseeing. City Light is committed to preserving and enhancing these recreational activities for visitors to the Boundary Project area. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be offering Boundary Tours this year.
Recreation Open in 2021
Forebay Recreation Area
- Hours: Open year-round (please note: in winter water may not be available and roads may not be plowed).
- Campground details: Free, no reservations, first come, first served. 22 campsites, including 12 RV sites (Class C RVs accommodated). Limit six consecutive nights’ stay. Flush toilets and potable water available. No hook-ups, dump station, or showers. All campsites have fire rings and picnic tables.
- Day use area details: 7 picnic tables, 4 BBQ grills, 1 large group shelter with 4 tables, 14 parking stalls.
- Boat launch details: Concrete boat launch with accessible boarding dock, 13 parking stalls for trucks and trailers, tie-down area.
Metaline Waterfront Park
- Hours: Open daily year-round; may be subject to flooding in spring.
- Details: Concrete boat ramp, accessible boarding dock, kayak ramp, group shelter with fire pit, playground equipment, restroom with flush toilets, parking.
Vista House
- Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk.
- Details: Interior viewing room, exterior viewing platform, flush restrooms.
Boat-in Campsites
- Details: Six shoreline campsites (Lime Creek, Everett Slough, Monument Bar, Grandview, Slumber Cove [no toilet], Ledbetter Cove) with fire rings, picnic tables, tent pads, food storage lockers, and primitive toilets. First come, first served. No reservations.
Recreation Closed in 2021
Boundary Tours
Questions about Boundary Recreation? Call us at (509) 446-3083 (select option 9) or email us.
Upcoming Boundary Recreation Enhancements
Under City Light’s federal license to operate Boundary Dam, we are actively developing additional recreational facilities to support local recreation.
The canyon reach area of the Boundary reservoir between Metaline Falls and Boundary Dam offers spectacular views of geology and steep rock faces, wildlife, dense forest vegetation, nearby mountains, and waterfalls, including Peewee Falls – which are typically only viewable from the water. Working closely with the US Forest Service/Colville National Forest, City Light is funding the construction of two new viewpoints and trailheads along the eastern rim of the canyon which will open up the views to a much broader range of visitors. These viewpoints will be completed by 2022.
For hiking enthusiasts, a new six-mile trail connecting the two viewpoints will be completed by 2023. Additionally, City Light will be developing a new portage trail around Metaline Falls in 2022 to provide paddlers an alternative to running or avoiding the rapids at the falls. The new portage trail will include parking, picnic tables and a vault toilet.