Winter and early spring in the Northwest can be a little bleak, but Rasar State Park (pronounced “Racer”) offers plenty of opportunities for fun during what is normally considered off-season. Rasar is located on Highway 20, six miles west of Concrete, between Hamilton and Concrete. The 168-acre park is open year round.
One of the main focuses of Rasar is its wildlife-friendly atmosphere. Much of the land has been left in its natural state and is lush with ferns, salal and other natural shrubs protected by an umbrella of cedar, hemlock and deciduous trees. We found winter-dormant maple branches thick with bright green moss and studded with growing ferns.
Wildlife who make this area home include elk, cougar, deer, coyote, river otter, beaver, salmon and trout. A large meadow that at one time had been a hayfield, has been left in the park’s design as a reminder of pioneer use of the land, and its open expanse offers an interesting contrast to the surrounding wooded area and also serves as habitat to wildlife.
The Skagit River, third largest on the west coast of the contiguous United States (next to Columbia and Sacramento Rivers) is the largest watershed in the Puget Sound Basin. Standing on its shores, visitors may luck out and spot an eagle sitting on a mossy tree branch. In bygone days, the river offered transportation by boat for indigenous and pioneer residents.
The two-level park is well designed with an attractive office and visitors’ station on the upper level, along with other buildings, roads, picnic area and campsites. Many of the large timbers used in the park buildings came from trees on the property. Stone from the area also was put to use in creating signs, fireplaces and chimneys.
The park has 18 standard sites, 20 partial-hookup with electricity and water (two ADA), eight walk-in sites and three primitive hiker/biker sites, as well as two Adirondack (three-sided) sleeping shelters available to walk-in campers. The sites are roomy and many are drive-through. Restrooms in the camping area have hot showers. Each camp site has a charcoal cook stove and picnic table. Three group camps offer privacy for families, scouting troops and other group gatherings. Three cabins, tucked in cozy forest settings, are also available. Each cabin is 16-by-25-feet and will accommodate up to five guests.
The picnic area has a large kitchen shelter, picnic tables, electrical outlets, and outdoor charcoal grills. Playground equipment is nearby and there are several picnic tables for day visitors. Reservations may be made for the kitchen shelter.
The lower portion of the park has been left largely undisturbed. On a gradual decent, the ADA black-topped trail winds its way to the Skagit River with interpretive stations along the way. Fishing along the river offers opportunities for salmon, steel head and trout. From November through February, the park serves as an excellent base camp to see the annual migration of bald eagles along the upper portions of the Skagit River.
Nearby attractions include Newhalem and the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center and Seattle City Lights Hydroelectric complex. Other activities to enjoy in the area include the Marblemount salmon rearing ponds and hatchery, and Howard Miller Steelhead County Park in Rockport, where the last Skagit River ferry is on display.
When visiting Rasar State Park this time, we took advantage of our Washington State Park Off-Season Pass. Any time of year is a good time to visit Rasar, but this park offers plenty to do in those months when sunshine can be a little scarce.
Website: www.parks.state.wa.us/571/Rasar or call (360) 826-3942