River Meadows Park─Wander along the Stillaguamish River

January 11, 2018 |

Quick Facts:

Location: South Fork Stillaguamish River, near Arlington

Land Agency: Snohomish County Parks

Roundtrip: 2.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 150 feet

Contact: Snohomish County Parks

Notes: Dogs must be leashed.

Access: From Exit 208 on I-5 head east on SR 530 to Arlington. One mile beyond junction with SR 9 (just after crossing the South Fork Stillaguamish River) turn right at light onto Arlington Heights Road. Proceed 1.0 mile turning right onto Jordan Road. Continue for 3.0 more miles to park entrance. Turn right and follow park road to large parking area near picnic and camping area by the river.

Good to know: dog-friendly, kid-friendly, snow-free winter hiking, camping

A rare blanket of light snow adds an extra layer of beauty to the river.

One of Snohomish County Parks’ loveliest properties, River Meadows Park offers delightful year round hiking and camping. With more than 6.0 miles of trails traversing woodlots and fallow fields, you can easily spend an entire day wandering through this 150-acre former homestead and farm. And you can easily spend the night here too—and in relative comfort thanks to the park’s Yurt Village. Developed in 2009 in an old orchard on a terrace above the Great Meadow, head right out on the park’s charming trail system from one of six yurts. These sturdy structures will provide you with a warm and dry retreat before and after your hike.

Now, don’t let a brisk late fall or winter day keep you away from the trails. Winter is one of the best times to explore this park with low visitation. Often in summer the park’s fields are abuzz with children playing, while the park’s riverfront is lined with anglers and waders. The trails however rarely get crowded and in winter they offer plenty of quiet roaming.

For a good round trip hike through the park touching upon many of its attractions, try this 2.5 mile route beginning north along the river from the picnic-camping area. Occupying a large bend on the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River, the park offers over one mile of river frontage. And while it’s been decades since the surrounding meadows have been tilled or grazed, abundant evidence of the park’s agrarian past lie scattered throughout the property. These vestiges of simpler times add to the charm of this pastoral park.

Salmon are the focus of the annual Stillaguamish Festival of the River.

Under lofty cedars and cottonwoods the trail rounds the river bend near a big gravel bar. Marvel at the towering bluffs across the bend. Scan tree tops for eagles. Watch the swiftly moving river for mergansers riding the rapids and kingfishers darting the current.

Now through a belt of towering trees separating the river from the Great Meadow, continue following the wide trail coming to a junction. Left continues downstream to Jordan Creek. Head right to traverse the Great Meadow where side trails branch left to the Yurt Village and ranger station. Cross the park access road and follow an old road-turned trail through the park’s Upland Woods. Then descend a small bluff arriving in the Terrace Meadow back along the South Fork Stillaguamish.From here follow the river once again downstream. Beneath big cedars and along the pretty Funnel Meadow soon return to the day-use area.

Consider a return to the park in spring and plan on coming back in August too for the annual Stillaguamish Festival of the River.

For information on lodging and other attractions near River Meadows, visit www.snohomish.org.