Bald Eagle Festival

RV Trekker.com Trips & Treks

Eagle-Watching along the Upper Skagit River & the Annual Bald Eagle Festival

Pacific Northwest rivers are a favorite habitat of bald eagles,
and winter, December through February, is the best time to
spot them.

The Upper Skagit River, from Concrete to Marblemount,
Washington, along State Highway 20, is one of the most
famous Northwest eagle-watching areas, with its own annual
Bald Eagle Festival, the first weekend in February in
Concrete, and a Bald Eagle Interpretive Center at Rockport
(between Concrete and Marblemount, on Highway 20),
open from mid-December through the middle of February
each year.

Some of the best places to view eagles, along Highway 20,
are at Mileposts 98, 100 and 101, from Rockport, and
continuing northeast. An especially popular stop is Milepost
100, the Sutter Creek rest area, which has great parking and
is an excellent viewpoint.

Another popular way to view the eagles is by river raft.
The Mt. Baker Ranger District (360-856-5700) has the
information you'll need if you want to float the river on your
own, as well as a list of commercial operators if a guided
trip is more your style.

For first-time eagle-watchers, the Upper Skagit Bald Eagle
Festival is a great way to get acquainted. Most events are
held at the Concrete School Complex, which includes both
grade and high schools. It's a potpourri of displays,
entertainment (usually including local Native American
entertainers), eagle and eco-info, arts and crafts, food, local
history, and more. There's also usually a Saturday
Volkswalk, a presenter who gives talks, accompanied
by a live eagle, and bus tours.

For eagle fest-goers, it gets crowded as the day
progresses, so go early for best parking at the school
grounds. Also, check the eagle fest schedule for additional
events along the Upper Skagit route through Rockport and
on up to Marblemount.

If you can't make the Eagle Fest, the Skagit Bald Eagle
Interpretive Center is generally open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays. From Highway
20 at Rockport, go one block south on Alfred Street and
look for the green Fire Hall Building.

For best eagle-watching, dress warmly (remember, whether
or not there's any snow, it's still winter), bring along raingear,
and sturdy, waterproof shoes. You'll also want to pack your
binoculars, and if you bring your camera, it's best to bring
along telephoto lenses for best eagle photos.

There are plenty of places to stop and eat along Highway 20.
One of the most popular for RVers is The Eatery, at Clark's
Skagit River Resort, between Mileposts 102 and 103 (which
has two RV campgrounds as well). And, RV Trekker also
suggests bringing along a thermos with a hot drink to help
stay warm while eagle-spotting, as well.

And remember the winter traction tires. Highway 20 is
generally well-maintained, it's the gateway to the North
Cascades Highway, but pulling off the highway you can run
into slush, snow, or ice.

The Upper Skagit area is very RV friendly. There are lots of
camping areas. For detailed info, check out RV Trekker's
Skagit campground directory.

Photos: Upper left, eagle watching at Milepost 100.
Lover left, eagle spotting from a river raft.
Lower right, inside the Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Festival.

More Eagle Watching Links:
The Skagit River Preserve
Eagle Watching Tips
Eagle Count
Eagle Nest Cam (April-September, only years when
eagles nest)
Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
Newhalem National Park Webcam