Skagit River Rafting, Washington

Skagit River Rafting, Washington

Skagit is western Washington’s second largest river. Originating in the snowy peaks of Canadian Cascades located at the north of Darrington, the river provides amazing whitewaters and breathtaking alpine scenery all along the way.

The Upper Skagit is the section of the river near Ross Lake. The flow trails through the frosty valleys of the North Cascades National Park. Majestic snow capped mountains rise from horizons, making Skagit the ultimate rafting destination. The crystal clear waters of the river camouflage Class II-III rapids like the Shovel Spur and Wavy Gravy. The S-curves is a constricted channel of water over granite rock layers and is exciting to navigate through. The Upper Skagit rafting tours are open all year long. Every season offers a different reason to visit Skagit. Summer is the most popular for its highwaters, fall offers a picturesque valley streaked in brilliant hues, winter is the time to watch the sun go down behind majestic snowcapped mountains and spring is ideal for families and kids as whitewaters are less demanding in this season.

The Lower Skagit broadens into flooding plains and the river meanders gently through numerous tiny islands and lush foliage. This stretch is more popular for its annual congregation of bald eagles who swoop down the valley to prey on the migrating salmon and steelhead population of the river. These birds of prey fly down thousands of miles from Alaska and Canada in winter and perch all along the banks of the river, known as the Skagit Bald Eagle Natural Area. Winter is also the time to gaze along the mighty mountains in its misty solitudes. Fall paints the valley in vibrant colors and drifting gently down the Lower Skagit provides a real treat to the eyes.

The Skagit rafting trails are immensely popular for church, school, corporate and family trips.