Kid-Friendly Hikes and Nature Walks in Skagit County

Escape the crowds and head into nature

Does your family want a day of big sky, salt-infused breezes, easy walking and escape from the city? Head for these hikes in Skagit County and stroll some lesser-known (and less crowded) nature walks that highlight western Skagit’s County’s river delta, farmland and Puget Sound access. Let’s get going!

Click the arrow above the image or the link at the bottom of the page to check out all six adventures. Or jump directly to your hike of choice from the list below: 

• Craft Island
• Padilla Bay Shore Trail
• Kukutali Preserve (Kiket Island)
• Washington Park
• Tommy Thompson Trail
• Burlington Dike Trail

First stop: Craft Island

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in several years ago and has been updated most recently for 2024 with new information. 

Craft Island

Imagine an expansive beach appearing before you like a mirage and you’ve just experienced the Skagit County hike to Craft Island. As my family ascended the ridge of the namesake island, my kids squealed at the sight of the sandy plain and scrambled down the trail to kick off shoes and build sand castles.

Craft Island is growing in popularity and the beach is no longer deserted on warm, sunny weekends. The flat terrain and 2-mile round trip means it’s an easy hike for all ages, and families sometimes bring chairs and picnic provisions to stay for the day. Despite this, you can still find space on the beach and feel like you have it to yourself.

Find it: The trail starts at the end of Rawlins Road on Fir Island. Park along the side of the road. No access pass needed. Plan to wear shoes that can get muddy, as the trail has standing water on all but the driest days. The closest restroom and provisions are available at nearby Snow Goose Produce — where you must stop!

Pro tip: This location is a popular spot for duck hunters in the winter, so pay attention to dates and plan to hike outside hunting season.

Next stop: Padilla Bay

Padilla Bay Shore Trail

The hike-on-a-dike Padilla Bay Shore Trail offers wide views of the surrounding farms and wetlands — and the Olympic mountains beyond. The graveled 2.25-mile trail (one way) meanders through mudflats and tidelands with blackberry picking in late summer and bird-watching (and brisk wind) in the fall and winter. I’ve even seen river otters in the sloughs here.

You can just as easily bike this trail as walk it, and the path is wide and open for plenty of space among users.

Find it: There is parking with port-a-potties at either end of the trailhead to the Padilla Bay Shore Trail. Your closest provisions will be in either Edison, Mount Vernon or La Conner; each town about 5 miles from either end of the trail.

Next stop: Kukutali Preserve (Kiket Island)

Kukutali Preserve (Kiket Island)

Kukutali Preserve is a hidden gem managed jointly by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Washington State Parks — and it’s unlike any other hike nearby. Its variety of habitats within a contained area include old-growth forest, beach, wetland and lowland meadow. All this along with surrounding water views make for a spectacular (and quiet) walk in any weather.

We ambled the flat, wide forest loop trail to the far end of the island during low tide (plan your trip to not get stranded on the island at high tide), and found an additional beach, tide pools and meadows to explore, along with a shelter and picnic tables for lingering.

Find it: The entrance and parking lot for the preserve are located along Snee Oosh Road. You’ll need a Discover Pass to park, and it’s human foot traffic only — no dogs, horses or bikes are allowed; be sure to read the visitor guide. There’s a portable toilet at the parking lot. Nearby La Conner has many food and retail options, including Seaport Books specializing in books about the Pacific Northwest.

Next stop: Washington Park

Washington Park

The Washington Park peninsula near the Anacortes ferry terminal contains a spectacular paved 2.3-mile scenic loop to walk or cycle (or drive; you’ll be sharing the road with slow moving cars at certain times of the day). The amble is worth the occasional car passing. Accessible, wide and shaded, the walk rewards you with views of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, plus birdsong and beach interludes.

Find it: Washington Park has plentiful free day-use parking. Restrooms are available, as are picnic tables. Anacortes has many indie restaurants to choose from: Our favorite stop is Fidalgo Drive-In for burgers and shakes.

Next stop: Tommy Thompson Trail

Tommy Thompson Trail

If you like a bit of industry punctuating your views of Mount Baker and the North Cascades, the Tommy Thompson Trail is a 3.3-mile paved trail starting at the Port of Anacortes and ending at the Shell/Tesoro refinery across Fidalgo Bay. The nature/industry juxtaposition is surprisingly restorative for the suggestion of nature’s ability to bounce back from human impact: How often can you walk across a retired railway trestle over water with the scent of native Madrone and the call of gulls accompanying your amble?

Find it: You can park for free at multiple trail locations; near the refinery on March Point Road, at the Fidalgo Bay Resort, or at the Port of Anacortes. The paved trail is open to bikes, dogs and walkers and is accessible for the entire length. Port-a-potties and benches dot the route about every mile.

Next stop: Burlington Dike Trail

Burlington Dike Trail

The short, unpaved Burlington Dike Trail might not look like much from the outset, but this 2.2 mile trail a great for walking and jogging, and promises beautiful views of the Skagit River. This trail is popular for fishing due to its easy access to the riverbank.

This level trail is walkable north and south. Maple and cottonwood trees line the south end of its narrow dirt foot path. The north end offers open views of the river from a wide gravel trail.

Find it: Burlington Dike Trail is accessible by three easy-to-find access points to the Burlington Dike Trail: Whitmarsh Playfields, Skagit River Park Playfields and Gus Tjerdsma Boat Launch. Each offer parking and portable restrooms.