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Summer 2022 Tours and Recreation

Skagit Tours Canceled  

The summer just won’t be the same without Skagit Tours. In November, severe flooding washed out a section of SR 20 leading into Newhalem, reducing traffic to a single lane. Washington Department of Transportation will be making repairs over the next several months, which will create significant travel delays in and out of the area. Due to these unfortunate circumstances, Skagit Tours will not be accepting reservations. However, there is still plenty to explore at both our Skagit and Boundary hydroelectric projects!

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 2022
NOTE: HOURS OF OPERATION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE 

NEWHALEM

Skagit Information Center

  • Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.,  
    Friday–Monday: May 27–May 30  
  • 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 
    Friday–Sunday: June 3–June 26  
    Open seven days a week: July 1–Sept. 30. 
  • Details: Face coverings are optional 

Gorge Powerhouse Visitor Gallery 

  • Hours: Open Memorial Day weekend through October 
    8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 

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 dawn
  • 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.

Skagit General Store

  • Hours: 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 
    Monday-Thursday 

Public restrooms available

  • Location: Next to Skagit Information Center.

DIABLO AND DIABLO LAKE

North Cascades Environmental Learning Center

Diablo Lake Ferry

  • Details: Capacity is 47 passengers with baggage. No reservations required. Priority boarding given to Ross Lake Resort guests and backpackers/campers with NPS backcountry permits.
  • Cash only, $10 per adult each way, $5 per child each way (4-12)  
    3 bag limit, Additional baggage: $10 
Diablo to Ross  Ross to Diablo 
**8:30 a.m. **9:15 a.m.
*10:00 a.m. *11:00 a.m. 
**12 p.m. **12:45 p.m. 
*1:45 p.m.*2:45 p.m. 
* Daily June 9 – November 1 
** Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday June 30-September 5 

Stetattle Creek Trailhead

Sourdough Trailhead

Public restrooms available

  • Location: Across Diablo Dam.

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 2022

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.

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 open in 2023.

For hiking enthusiasts, a new 8.5-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 2023 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.