Festival Activities

Adventures, Places to See

Paddle Rafting on the Stillaguamish River   
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 at 10:30am 
Location: Meet at Haller Park 1100 West Avenue
North Fork Stilly Valley residents Jerry and Lori Michalec invite you on an 5-mile raft journey from Trafton to Haller Park. Expect bald eagle sightings, views of wildlife, and a paddling workout on this 3-hour excursion. Enjoy the serene beauty, light mood elevation, mochas and other distinct pleasures of river travel with North Cascades River Expeditions. Trip includes a midway lunch stop and mocha. Make reservations now for this $80 day trip at 1-800-634-8433. Call to learn more or go to RiverExpeditions.com.

Stormwater Wetland Park
This stormwater wetland was designed to filter pollutants from the water flowing through its cells. City stormwater previously flowed directly into the Stillaguamish River. Now this water flows through the wetland where native plants and natural processes filter it. Walk the meandering trails around the wetland and read the interpretive signage.
Directions: use parking lot at Haller Park 1100 West Ave., walk west under SR 9 bridge to Stormwater Park. www.arlingtonwa.gov/stormwaterpark

Portage Creek Wildlife Area
This 150 acre wildlife reserve is home to a variety of wetland plants and animals. Stroll along the stream and enjoy the open meadow paths while catching glimpses of herons, raptors and species of waterfowl.
Location: 20802 59th Avenue NE, Arlington
www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities

Stillaguamish Valley Museum Watershed Model
& Pioneer Museum
An outdoor shelter houses a hand-carved cedar relief map of the Stillaguamish River watershed as it was in 1910, when Arlington was the world’s capital for cedar-shake mills. The map includes locations of pioneer communities, mines, logging operations, Stillaguamish tribal encampments, and the sites of old roads, schools and cemeteries. 

Museum re-opens Wed. February 1st
Open Wed. Sat. and Sun in Feb. 1-4pm.
Location: 20722  67th Avenue NE, Arlington

Eagle and Salmon Viewing at Squire Creek Park
Squire Creek County Park is located approximately 24 miles east of Arlington towards the town of Darrington. If conditions are right, visitors can view spawning chum salmon in Squire Creek and eagles. 
Location: Squire Creek Park, 41415 SR 530, Arlington
www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Squire-Creek-Park-54

Forston Mill Ponds Park
Once the site of a bustling mill and community of over 300 residents, all that remains now of Fortson are some concrete walls and two pretty mill ponds.  A fun place to explore. This site is also a trailhead for the Whitehorse Trail. 
Read the history here: www.discoverdarrington.com/history-2/historical-places/fortson-mill/
Location: SR 530 to Fortson Mill RD, near Milepost 42 https://snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Whitehorse-Regional-Trail-105

Leque Island—Stanwood Levee Trail
Hike to the top of a berm to a restored tidal marsh on Leque Island, located between Camano Island and Stanwood. Gravel path is 0.7 miles long with great view and birds. Site is managed by WA Department of Fish and Wildlife. Location: Eide Road off of SR 532, follow road to end to parking area. 
www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/stanwood-levee-trail

Bird viewing at Big Ditch 
WA Fish and Wildlife Water Access Area
Exit 221 from I-5 onto HWY 530 (Pioneer HWY) South for 4 mi., Right onto Old Pacific Hwy, 1st Gravel road on right.  Bird sightings include: Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Swan, Goldfinch, Red Tailed Hawk.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/water-access-sites/30492

Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center 
Viewing Sites
Head north on State Route 530 to Skagit County for a day of exploration, eagle sightings and a beautiful road trip. Registration is required for guided walks. 
Location: Howard Miller Steelhead Park,  
52809 Rockport Park Rd, Rockport
For more information and other areas in Skagit County to view eagles, go to: www.skagiteagle.org