OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

he Skykomish River is an adventurer’s paradise, vastly treasured by those who live near it, fish in it and recreate on it. The state-designated scenic waterway is well-known for its recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, fishing and sheer loveliness. The north and south forks of the Skykomish are enveloped by wilderness areas, parks, hiking trails and private property, offering some of the most breathtaking whitewater rapids, interspersed with spectacular waterfalls, serene stretches and glassy pools.

We’ve collected some of the most popular Skykomish River access sites for your exploration and enjoyment. It is important to always remember that the Skykomish River is a one-of-a-kind waterway!

Always consult with experts prior to braving its flows and always employ “Leave no Trace” principles at its access sites. If you pack it in, remember to pack it out! T

BEN HOWARD Ben Howard Road Monroe

Roughly two miles east of S.R. 203 or Ben Howard Road, this river access site is located on the north side of Ben Howard Road. It features a concrete boat launch managed by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and requires a Discover Pass. This site is a hot spot for salmon, steelhead and trout fishing, and can be used as a put-in or take-out location for paddlers, floaters and drift boaters. The Ben Howard boat launch is located roughly eight miles downstream from Sultan’s Sportsman Park.

A Discover Pass is required at the Ben Howard boat launch.

n For more information about the BEN HOWARD BOAT LAUNCH, please visit: wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/water-access-sites/30543

LEWIS STREET WATER ACCESS Lewis Street Boat Launch, S.R. 203, Monroe

Located directly west of the Lewis Street Bridge, Lewis Street Park is the oldest park in the Monroe Parks System. Guests seeking river access will find a large parking lot located to the south, which features a boat launch operated by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Lewis Street access site offers salmon, steelhead and trout fishing, and is a popular take-out site for paddlers and boaters adventuring down the river from Big Eddy or Sportsman Park in Sultan.

A Discover Pass is required at the Lewis Street boat launch.

n For more information about Lewis Street, please visit: monroewa.gov/ facilities/facility/details/Lewis-Street-Park-9.

THE SKYKOMISH BALLPARK

West of U.S. 2 mile 49.8, Skykomish

The Skykomish Ballpark is a hidden gem tucked discreetly off of U.S. 2 east of the town of Skykomish and south of Beckler Road. The Skykomish Ballpark opens for the summer season in May, offering a ball field, campground, picnic tables, fire-rings, covered outdoor kitchen and river access. In the late summer months when temperatures are high and river levels are low, this is a great opportunity for casual river-users to explore the roughly four-mile stretch of river that extends from the ballpark to the Money Creek Campground downstream.

Note: Floaters, paddlers and boaters should be aware of Eagle Falls, a Class 5+ rapid located approximately five miles downstream from Money Creek in the Baring area.

Choose Monroe 10 MONEY CREEK CAMPGROUND U.S. 2 west of the highway tunnel at mile 46 Skykomish

Managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS), the Money Creek Campground is open from May through September, offering camping (both tent and RV), bathrooms, picnic tables, drinking water and river access. Out of the 24 available campsites, four are ADAcompliant. The Money Creek Campground is serenely positioned on the banks of the south fork of the Skykomish River, which begins east of the town of Skykomish. The campground is great for hiking, exploring and enjoying the beauty of the Mt. BakerSnoqualmie National Forest.

Note: Floaters, paddlers and boaters should be aware of Eagle Falls, a Class 5 rapid located approximately five miles downstream from Money Creek in the Baring area. Eagle Falls is a Class 5+ rapid that drops roughly 25-feet in a furious flurry of whitewater.

Lands managed by the USFS typically require a USFS Northwest Forest Pass.

n For more information on Money Creek and which passes may be required, please visit: fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/ recreation/recarea?recid=17930 &actid=29

Choose Monroe BIG EDDY U.S. 2 mile 30.4, Gold Bar

You’ll find Big Eddy on the south side of U.S. 2 just as you begin to leave the city of Gold Bar in your rearview mirror. Once you pass over the Skykomish River Bridge, its entrance will be to your right. Camping is not permitted at Big Eddy, but it’s a great place to while away an afternoon when the weather is nice, as summertime at Big Eddy is a stunning display of the river’s deepest and most vibrant blue-green hues. As you start to explore the state-managed park, you may encounter guided kayakers exhilarated by a trip down the rapids located just upstream. Big Eddy is known as a take-out point for whitewater enthusiasts, and as a put-in for floaters and drift boaters.

Big Eddy is managed by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. A Discover Pass is required at Big Eddy. Don’t have a Discover Pass? Stop by the Sultan Visitor Information Center (320 Main Street, Sultan, Washington 98294) on your way there and pick one up!

n For more information about Big Eddy, please visit: wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/water-access-sites/30537

SPORTSMAN PARK U.S. 2 and Albion Street, Sultan

Sportsman Park is nestled in at the confluence of the Sultan and Skykomish rivers, directly west of the Sultan River Bridge. The site features an expansive parking lot, boat launch, covered picnic area, and portable restroom. When the summer sun is hot and the river levels are low, Sportsman Park is a popular spot for families looking to beat the heat by splashing around in the Sultan River. The site is incredibly popular among local anglers, who position themselves at the opening of the confluence to fish for steelhead and trout. Paddlers and boaters can put-in at Sportsman Park for a river excursion, pulling out roughly eight miles downstream at the Ben Howard boat launch or continuing another three miles to the Lewis Street boat launch in Monroe.

Sportsman Park can be used as a take-out site for adventurers who put-in at Big Eddy.

Paddlers braving this section of the Skykomish should be cautious of “strainers” which are downed trees that have become caught in the river’s depths. Strainers are deceptively powerful and should always be avoided. Always check the American Whitewater website or ask an expert to find out if there have been reports of recent strainers in this stretch.

Sportsman Park is Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife land, managed by the City of Sultan. A Discover Pass is required to park at Sportsman Park.

n For more information about Sportsman Park, please visit: wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/water-access-sites/30542

American Whitewater is an excellent resource for learning more about the Skykomish River, especially if you’re planning to explore its waters. Its website: americanwhitewater.org, is a wonderful way to learn more about the run of the river, in order to plan your adventure safely.