Whitewater Rafting or Nature Float? Try Both!

The Skagit River is a beautiful place for rafting.

Blue Sky Outfitters offers whitewater rafting all over Washington, but their home water is the Skagit River near the western edge of North Cascades National Park.

Two expeditions are possible here. The first takes place on the upper Skagit and is a great introduction to whitewater rafting. During a four-hour trip you'll tackle several Class II and an exciting Class III piece of whitewater. You'll also get the chance to float some beautiful water with a backdrop of old growth forest and magnificent mountain views. After this float refuel your body with a tasty sirloin steak BBQ!

The other Skagit River trip is a float down calm waters. The focus here is on wildlife watching. You may see deer, merganser ducks, ospreys along with several other birds and mammals. Of special note are the bald eagles. Several hundred come here every winter to feast on the salmon and steelhead that spawn here, treating you to incredible sights of the bird that is our national symbol. December through February are great times to see and photograph the eagles. After your trip warm up with soup and chili.

If you want somewhere to stay before or after your trip book one of the four rooms at Blue Sky Outfitter's guest house. The restored early 1900's home is a comfortable place to stay and includes a morning breakfast. Being the closest accommodation to the North Cascades National Park, it's also an ideal place to stay for anglers, hikers, bicyclists and other outdoors enthusiasts who want to enjoy everything the park and Skagit River have to offer.

Log onto the web site below or call 1-800-228-RAFT to book your next trip or stay. With great guides and a wonderful innkeeper I know you'll like what Blue Sky Outfitters has to offer as much as I did!