Park overview
The Skagit Valley was carved by retreating glaciers and is characterized by excellent outdoor recreation opportunities in a natural, wilderness setting. Visitors can enjoy hiking along 50 km of trails, river fishing, camping, and picnicking.
Advisories
Dates of operation
The park gate is open year-round
- Facility type
- Frontcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 31
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 88
- RV-accessible sites: 1
- Main operating season
- 2024: May 17 to October 14
- Winter season
- Not known
- Booking required
- 2024: May 17 to October 13
- Winter season note
- The gate is closed during the off-season. The opening date may change depending on snow pack or other weather conditions.
- Facility type
- Group camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 1
- Groupsites: 1
- RV-accessible sites: 1
- Main operating season
- 2024: May 17 to October 14
- Winter season
- Not known
- Booking required
- 2024: May 17 to October 13
- Winter season note
- The gate is closed during the off-season. The opening date may change depending on snow pack and other weather conditions.
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Wilderness sites: 6
- Main operating season
- 2024: year-round
- Winter season
- No services
- Winter season note
- Wilderness camping is allowed year-round. Access to designated wilderness campsites can be difficult due to bad weather and snow coverage.
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Horse-accessible sites: 11
- Main operating season
- 2024: May 17 to October 7
- Winter season
- No services
- Winter season note
- The gate is closed during the off-season. The opening date may change depending on snow pack and other weather conditions.
- 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 - Important Notice" section above.
Safety info
- 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.
- Swimmers itch may be present within Ross Lake. For treatment and prevention information BC Healthfiles page.
- The Skagit River runs at extremely high speeds in the spring and summer run-off season.
- Access is by gravel road with loose surface. Please drive safely.
- Bears are very active in this park. To learn more about bear safety, visit the Wildlife safety page.
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.
- Skagit Valley Park is adjacent to North Cascades National Park in the US. For US park information, call 1-360-854-7200 or visit the National Park Service website.
- Operating an uninsured or unlicensed motor vehicle is illegal in any provincial park, recreation area or campground.
- ATVs and other off road vehicles are not permitted (including those registered under the ORV act) within the park or on the Silver Skagit Road.
- Nearest sani-station facility is located in Hope, B.C.
- Quiet Hours are 10pm to 7am. Music, generators, etc. must be shut off completely between these hours.
- Harvesting mushrooms or any other natural resource is prohibited within the park.
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total reservable frontcountry sites: 31
- Total vehicle-accessible sites: 142
- Total wilderness sites: 4
- Total horse-accessible sites: 11
Campsite reservations are accepted and first come, first served sites are also available. Group campsite reservations are also accepted at this park.
All campsite and group site reservations must be made through the BC Parks reservation service. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served.
There are four backcountry campsites in this park:
Delacy Camp: on the Skagit River Trail. This campsite has two tent pads, a picnic table, a pit toilet, and a bear cache for food storage.
Harlequin Flats: on the Skagit River Trail. This campsite has two tent pads, a picnic table, a pit toilet, and a bear cache for food storage.
Nepopekum Camp: at the juncture of the Centennial and Nepopkum trails. This campsite has two tent pads, a picnic table, a pit toilet, and a bear cache for food storage.
Galene Camp: at the end of the Galene Lakes Trail. It has two tent pads, a pit toilet, and a bear cache.
This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites. Reservations are accepted at Ross Lake, and first come, first served campsites are also available.
There are three frontcountry campgrounds in this park: Silvertip Campground at 42 km (43 sites), Ross Lake Campground at 60 km (88 sites) and Whitworth Horse Campground at 54 km that has 11 pull-through sites with corrals/hitching posts. If there are no staff to direct you to a campsite, choose an unreserved 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.
- There are no sites in this park with electrical, water or sewer hookups.
- There is parking available for two vehicles at each site.
- There is no extra parking available.
- There is no cell phone service after the first few kilometers on the Silver Skagit Road.
- The closest store and pay phone are in Hope, approximately 60 km away.
- There are no winter camping opportunities offered in this park. The gates to each campground are closed and locked during the winter months (October to May). The Silver Skagit Road is not plowed during the winter and develops significant potholes during this time.
Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $18 per party per night |
BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $9 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
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 can be viewed here.
Youth group camping fee | $1 per person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Children under 6 are free! |
Regular group camping fee | $80 per group site per night, plus $5 per adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1 per child (6-15). Children under 6 are free! |
For information on the youth group policy see the group camping page.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for these areas of the park:
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.
There is a playground at Ross Lake campground (International Point day-use area). There is also a 1.5 hectare grassy area.
There is a single wide cement boat launch at International Point day-use area. Boats can be left in the water or on the beach overnight at owner’s risk. Boaters should be aware that water in the reservoir is low during spring, fall and winter and may change rapidly at any time as Ross Lake is a hydroelectric reservoir.
The edge of the lake is normally below the international border until sometime in June. Water levels may rise by 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) or more per day during spring freshet. Waterskiing is not advisable because of the amount of woody debris and numerous stumps that are just below the surface of the water when the lake is full. At lower water levels these stumps are exposed. See Important Notices for water levels.
Personal watercraft (defined as small, normally jet powered vessels which the operator sits astraddle or stands upon) 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 the link below: http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/boating-on-ross-lake.htm
Campfires are permitted in the campground fire rings only. While campfires are allowed, 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.
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.
Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.
This park has a day-use and picnic area at International Point on Ross Lake. This area has pit toilets, parking, and 1.5 hectare of grassy beach. There are no picnic tables and no campfire rings available. Visitors will also find an information kiosk that relates the history and natural values of the park.
Pit toilets are available in all campgrounds, at International Point day-use area, and at some trailheads from the parking lots. There are no flush toilets.
Activities
This park has hiking and 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] (August 31, 2023) (scroll down to the Skagit Valley Park entry)
There is swimming and a grassy beach at Ross Lake. There is no roped-off swimming area. Water in the reservoir is low during spring, fall and winter. The edge of the lake is normally below the international border until sometime in June.
Visitors 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 in BC Parks.
Canoeing and kayaking are possible at Ross Lake when the reservoir is full, but not recommended on the Skagit River. Water in Ross Lake is low during spring, fall and winter and may change rapidly at any time as the lake is a hydroelectric reservoir.
The edge of the lake is normally below the international border until sometime in June. Water levels may rise by 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) or more per day during spring freshet.
Canoeing and kayaking are possible at Ross Lake when the reservoir is full, but not recommended on the Skagit River. Water in Ross Lake is low during spring, fall and winter and may change rapidly at any time as the lake is a hydroelectric reservoir.
The edge of the lake is normally below the international border until sometime in June. Water levels may rise by 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) or more per day during spring freshet.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There are interpretive programs offered in this park. You can check the information shelters for program schedules or check the schedule posted below.
Pets and 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 the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.
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.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Skagit Valley Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
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 is permitted in the park. Please confirm with the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for specific details. All hunters require applicable hunting licenses.
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.
Park and activity maps
- Location Map
- Park Map [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.)
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: December 6, 1973
- Size: 27,964 hectares
Park contact
This park is operated by Greenshades Enterprise. To contact the park operator, email
silverskagitpark@hotmail.com.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.