Skagit Wildlife Area—Headquarters Unit
Supreme birdwatching on the Skagit River Delta
Quick Facts:
Location: Fir Island, Skagit County
Land Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
Round Trip: 1.9 miles of trails
Elevation Gain: minimal
Contact: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
Detailed Information: Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Books)
Notes: Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass required. Dogs allowed on leash
Access: From Exit 221 on I-5 in Conway, drive west on the Fir Island Road for 1.7 miles turning left onto Wylie Road. Proceed 1.1 miles entering the Headquarters Unit of the Skagit Wildlife Area. Then turn right on Game Farm Road reaching trailhead and parking in 0.1 mile
Good to Know: Active hunting area (check seasons) kid-friendly, dog-friendly, snow free winter hikes, exceptional birdwatching, practice Leave No Trace principles
While the Skagit Wildlife Area is one of the best birdwatching sites in Washington—particularly for migrating Wrangell Island snow geese—it’s also an active hunting area. Best time to visit is right after snow geese season ends (usually in late January) and before the geese return to Alaska (usually by April). If you choose to visit during hunting season, be sure to wear orange and stay on the trails. The Skagit Wildlife Area consists of nearly 17,000 acres in several parcels primarily within the Skagit River Delta. This section—the Headquarters unit (home to the refuge’s offices) is the best in the refuge for walking and hiking.
From the parking area walk a short distance on the road to reach the trailhead on a levee. Head left a short distance to a boat launch on the Skagit River or walk right for longer wandering. You’ll come to a junction where you can follow the main wide levee trail right crossing Wiley Slough and heading along some fields where thousands of snow geese can often be seen. Get out your telephoto lens.
The trail from the junction leading left is more primitive. It follows along Wiley Slough and extensive wetlands and marshes. Scan the reeds, bulrushes, grasses and snags here for a myriad of bird species. Enjoy good views too, of Mount Baker rising in the distance.
At 1.0 mile, the trail ends at the extensive tidal flats lining Skagit Bay. Just to your left, the South Fork Skagit River’s Freshwater Slough empties into this wildlife rich bay. The entire delta here has remarkably remained undeveloped. A sharp contrast to many other Salish Sea river deltas that have succumbed to development. Wildlife officials continue to restore and enhance lands here within the wildlife area and across the Skagit Delta assuring the myriad of migratory and residential species here quality habitat.
For detailed descriptions (including maps) for this trail as well as many others in western Skagit and Whatcom counties, pick up a copy of my best selling Urban Trails Bellingham (Mountaineers Books).
