Skagit Valley Provincial Park
- 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.
About This Park
Approximately two hours from the Greater Vancouver area, Skagit Valley is part of a larger protected area complex that includes the US North Cascades National Park and the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. This large tract of territory contains the Ross Lake Reservoir, an important source of hydroelectricity for Seattle City Light.
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.
Park Size: 27,948 hectares
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.
Stay Safe:
- 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.
| Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
|
|---|---|
| Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.) |
Ross Lake campground - May 1 - October 10 |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: | Ross Lake campground – May 1 – October 10 |
| Campground Reservable Dates: | Not applicable |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: | – Ross Lake = 88 – Silver Tip = 43 – Whitworth Horse camp = 11 |
| Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
Not applicable |
| Note: The above information is for the campground only. During the off-season park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. If the park or campground are closed for other reasons, information is noted in the "Attention Visitor Notice" at the top of this page. | |
Reservations
Reservations for individual campsites are not accepted at this park - all campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group Camp/Picnic Reservations:
Group campsite and/or group picnic site reservations are accepted at this park.
Location and Maps
The Silver/Skagit Road, which joins Highway #1 three kilometres west of Hope, 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.
The 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.
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.
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)
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
Cycling
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is permitted on the Skagit River Trail, Centennial Trail and to the height of land on the Skyline II Trail. There is an eleven-unit horse camp near Whitworth Meadows near the Skyline II Trail head. There are approximately 50 kilometres of horse trails.
Hunting
Interpretive Programs
Pets on Leash
Swimming
Facilities Available at this Park
Boat Launch
Campfires
Drinking Water
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. Click here for reservation information.
Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum.
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, listed in the fee schedule, plus $4/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15).
Picnic Areas
Pit or Flush Toilets
Playground
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. 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 2 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.
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 (Oct 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.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
