Skagit Valley Provincial Park

About This Park

The Skagit Valley was carved by retreating glaciers and is characterized by excellent outdoor recreation opportunities in a natural, wilderness-like setting. Visitors can enjoy hiking along 50 km of trails, river fishing, camping, and picnicking.

Established Date: December 6, 1973
Park Size: 27,964 hectares

Know Before You Go

Stay Safe

Swimming: Campers and swimmers should be aware that swimmers itch may be present within Ross Lake. For more information on the treatment and prevention of swimmers itch, check out the BC Healthfiles page.
The Skagit River is susceptible to extreme water level velocities during the spring and summer run-off season.
Access is by a loose surfaced (gravel/dirt) public road. Please drive safely.

Bears are very active in this park. Please read the bear safety information.

Special Notes

Ross Lake campground is located on a reservoir. The level of the water in the reservoir fluctuates greatly. July and August are the only months when the lake is at full pool, other times there is no water at all on the Canadian side.
For access and information on the US parks year-round, please phone North Cascades National Park at 1-360-854-7200 or visit their website.
It is illegal to operate an uninsured/unlicenced motor vehicle in any provincial park, recreation area or campground.
Nearest sani-station facility is located in Hope, B.C.
Quiet Hours are 10 pm to 7 am: Music, generators, etc. must be shut off completely between these hours.
ATVs and other off road vehicles (including those registered under the ORV Act) are not permitted within the park or on the Silver Skagit Road.
Harvesting of any natural resource (including fungus fruiting bodies or Mushrooms) is prohibited within the park.
South Fraser Trail Conditions Report [PDF] (March 25, 2021) (scroll down to the Skagit Valley Provincial Park entry)

Reservoir Information

Ross Lake campground is located on a reservoir. The level of the water in the reservoir fluctuates greatly. July and August are the only months when the lake is at full pool. Other times there is no water at all on the Canadian side.

Reservations

All campsite and group site reservations must be made through Discover Camping. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.

Campsite Reservations

Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Group Campsite Reservations

Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park.

Location and Maps

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Location Map

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Location Map

Directions:
From the community of Hope travel westbound on Flood Hope Road, then turn left (south) onto the Silver Skagit Road that leads to get to the park.
Coming from the west on BC-1 E/Trans-Canada Hwy. Take exit 168 toward Flood Hope Road, turn right onto Flood Hope Road, then right onto the Silver Skagit Road to get to the park.

Silver Skagit Road provides access to the park. It is 37 km from Highway #1 to the entrance portal and a further 23 km to Ross Lake Reservoir and the Canada-USA border. Silver Skagit Road is a well maintained, loose surface road that provides access to several active logging areas before the park entrance. Motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution and to use headlights at all times. Watch for wildlife and be aware of logging trucks and other industrial equipment. Extra caution should be taken after rain when road surfaces can become muddy and slippery. ATVs and uninsured vehicles are not permitted on Silver Skagit Road.

Note: There are no commercial facilities in the Skagit Valley that provide food, lodging, gas or any other goods or services. Visitors should be equipped with supplies and fuel before leaving Hope or Silver Creek for the Skagit Valley Provincial Park.

Click the map above to visit Clark
Geomatic’s website to purchase
your own E.C. Manning/Skagit Valley
topographic map! (1:50,000)

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only; they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Park Map [PDF]
Park Brochure [PDF]
Ross Lake Campground Map [PDF 2.94MB]
Google Earth KMZ file of the hiking trails (For use with Google Earth and/or and Google Maps.)

Nature and Culture

Management Planning

Management Planning Information
Approved Master Plan for Skagit Valley Park [PDF]
Disclaimer:
This is not the original management planning product. This document has been scanned from the original format of the plan. It may contain some formatting changes, however the content is consistent with the original.

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking is possible at Ross Lake, but not recommended on the Skagit River.

Cycling

Bicycles are permitted on all roadways, the Centennial Trail and Skagit River Trail in Skagit Valley Park. Unless otherwise signed, all other trails located within the park are designated for hiking use only. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Fishing

Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Hiking

This park has hiking and/or walking trails. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

South Fraser Trail Conditions Report [PDF] (March 25, 2021) (scroll down to the Skagit Valley Provincial Park entry)

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is permitted on the Skagit River Trail, Centennial Trail and to the boundary of E.C. Manning Park on the Skyline II Trail. Horseback riding is not permitted on the Skyline II in E.C. Manning Park. There is an eleven-unit horse camp near Whitworth Meadows near the Skyline II Trail head. There are approximately 30 kilometres of horse trails in Skagit Valley Park.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted in the park. Please confirm with the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for specific details. All hunters require applicable hunting licences.

Interpretive Programs

There are interpretive programs being offered in this park. You can check the information shelters for postings or check with the park operator.

August 24, 2020
Skagit Valley Park Interpretive Programs
- Ranger Program Schedule[PDF]

Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Swimming

There is swimming and a sandy beach at Ross Lake. There is no roped-off swimming area. See Important Notices for water levels. Campers and swimmers should be aware that swimmer’s itch may be present within Ross Lake. For more information on the treatment and prevention of swimmer’s itch, check out the HealthLinkBC page. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility

There is a wheelchair-accessible pit toilet available at the Whitworth Horse Camp.

Boat Launch

There is a single wide cement boat launch at Ross Lake campground. Boats can be left in the water or beach overnight at owners risk. Waterskiing is at your own risk and not advisable because of numerous stumps and woody debris in lake. See Important Notices for water levels. Personal water craft are not allowed on Ross Lake Reservoir.

For important information regarding boating on the US portion of the Ross Lake Reservoir, including a new restriction on the types of motors permitted within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area; please click on this link: http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/boating-on-ross-lake.htm

Campfires

Campfires are permitted in the campground fire rings only. While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

Drinking Water

Cold water hand pumps are located in all the campgrounds. A cold water tap is located in the horse camp. The taps and hand pumps are shut off during the winter.

All water is tested weekly and is suitable for drinking unless posted otherwise.

Group Camping

There is a group campsite located across from the Ross Lake campground, close to the International Point day-use area. There is one covered shelter. The site can accommodate from 15 to 50 people. Reservation information »

Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Read the Youth Group policy about Criteria for Youth Groups.

Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $80.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!

Picnic Areas

This park has a day-use/picnic area at International Point, located at Ross Lake Campground on Ross Lake. The day-use/picnicking area has pit toilets, new picnic tables and parking. There are no barbeque attachments on the picnic tables and no campfire rings available. There is a 1.5 ha grassy area and sandy beach. There is a twelve-sided information kiosk that relates the history and natural values of the park.

Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit toilets are available in all campground and day-use areas; no flush toilets. Many of the pit toilets were replaced or upgraded for this upcoming camping season.

Playground

A brand new playground was installed at Ross Lake campground. There is also a pleasant 1½ hectare grassy area.

Vehicle Accessible Camping

This park offers vehicle accessible campsites, reservations are accepted at Ross Lake, and first-come, first-served campsites are also available.

There are three separate campgrounds in this park Silvertip at 42 km (43 sites), Ross Lake at 60 km (88 sites) and a horse camp at 54 km with 11 pull-through sites (near Whitworth Meadows).

There is parking available for two vehicles at each site. There is no extra parking available.

If there are no staff to direct you to a campsite, choose a site with no camping receipt posted on the campsite number post; staff will come around to collect fees. Cash is the only form of payment accepted onsite.

The closest store and pay phone is in Hope, approximately 60 km away.

The gates to each campground listed above are closed and locked during the winter months only (October to May) yearly.
There are no winter camping opportunities offered in this park as only 5 km of the 50 km access road is maintained during the winter months.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $18.00 per party/night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $9.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed. There are two tent pads, picnic table, bear cache and garden throne provided on the Skagit River Trail at Delacy Camp, two tent pads, a bear cache and garden throne provided at Harlequin Flats, and two tent pads and picnic table at Centennial Trail at Nepopkum Trail.

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