With winter comes the return of the eagle to the Stillaguamish River. To celebrate these special winter residents, Arlington hosts an annual Eagle Festival. The eagles return to feed on salmon that have come to spawn in the clean river gravel. The eagle also prey on the snow geese that are feeding in the agricultural fields in the floodplain.
Arlington activities 2023 (scroll down for eagle-viewing locations)
Extreme Chainsaw Carving Show
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2, 3, 4 (Thur, Fri, Sat) , 9am-5pm
Location: Legion Park, 114 N. Olympic Avenue
Award winning chainsaw carvers from the Northwest and beyond will carve wooden eagles and other art for the festival. Come see the artists in action!
Saturday 3:30pm– Live auction of carvings.
Nature Art Show
Saturday, 10am-4pm
Location: Olympic Theater & Café,107 N. Olympic Ave.
Enjoy natural depictions of the beautiful Pacific Northwest flora and fauna as created by local artists. View the past 14 years of winning photographs of eagles and this year’s entries. Participate in an “art and adventure” silent auction.
Sponsored by the Arlington Arts Council.
The Reptile Lady Show
Experience reptiles up close with this wild, educational experience. April's show is formatted for children, with audience participation and hands-on time at the end. https://www.reptilelady.org/
Show times on Saturday:
11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Located at the Olympic Theater, 111 N Olympic Ave.
Wagon Rides
Saturday, 10am-4pm
Ride pickup is at City Hall, 238 N Olympic Avenue.
Free wagon rides on the Andrew's Hay Wagon, sponsored by Downtown Arlington Business Association
Children's Hands On Art Activity with Arlington Arts Council
Saturday, 11am-3pm
Arlington Arts Council members are supplying a wood eagle or salmon for kids to color.
Located in the City Council Chambers, behind City Hall, at 238 N Olympic Ave.
Eagle Quest Arlington Adventure
Activity for Children
Saturday, 10am –2pm
Explore downtown Arlington, learn about the birds, animals and fish that live in our environment, and collect a prize at the end of the quest. Cost to participate $7.50 per child. Start your Quest at the Visitors Information Center 104 N. Olympic, Arlington.
While supplies last, register at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/StillyValleyChamberOfCommerce/_2023EagleQuestArlingtonAdventure
Eagle-viewing locations:
Stormwater Wetland Park
This stormwater wetland was designed to filter pollutants from the water flowing through its cells. City stormwater previously flowed directly into the Stillaguamish River. Now this water flows through the wetland where native plants and natural processes filter it. Walk the meandering trails around the wetland and read the interpretive signage.
Directions: use parking lot at Haller Park 1100 West Ave., walk west under SR 9 bridge to Stormwater Park. www.arlingtonwa.gov/stormwaterpark
Portage Creek Wildlife Area
This 150 acre wildlife reserve is home to a variety of wetland plants and animals. Stroll along the stream and enjoy the open meadow paths while catching glimpses of herons, raptors and species of waterfowl.
Location: 20802 59th Avenue NE, Arlington
www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities
Stillaguamish Valley Museum Watershed Model
& Pioneer Museum
An outdoor shelter houses a hand-carved cedar relief map of the Stillaguamish River watershed as it was in 1910, when Arlington was the world’s capital for cedar-shake mills. The map includes locations of pioneer communities, mines, logging operations, Stillaguamish tribal encampments, and the sites of old roads, schools and cemeteries.
Museum re-opens Wed. February 1st
Open Wed. Sat. and Sun in Feb. 1-4pm.
Location: 20722 67th Avenue NE, Arlington
Eagle and Salmon Viewing at Squire Creek Park
Squire Creek County Park is located approximately 24 miles east of Arlington towards the town of Darrington. If conditions are right, visitors can view spawning chum salmon in Squire Creek and eagles.
Location: Squire Creek Park, 41415 SR 530, Arlington
www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Squire-Creek-Park-54
Forston Mill Ponds Park
Once the site of a bustling mill and community of over 300 residents, all that remains now of Fortson are some concrete walls and two pretty mill ponds. A fun place to explore. This site is also a trailhead for the Whitehorse Trail.
Read the history here: www.discoverdarrington.com/history-2/historical-places/fortson-mill/
Location: SR 530 to Fortson Mill RD, near Milepost 42 https://snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Whitehorse-Regional-Trail-105
Leque Island—Stanwood Levee Trail
Hike to the top of a berm to a restored tidal marsh on Leque Island, located between Camano Island and Stanwood. Gravel path is 0.7 miles long with great view and birds. Site is managed by WA Department of Fish and Wildlife. Location: Eide Road off of SR 532, follow road to end to parking area.
www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/stanwood-levee-trail
Bird viewing at Big Ditch
WA Fish and Wildlife Water Access Area
Exit 221 from I-5 onto HWY 530 (Pioneer HWY) South for 4 mi., Right onto Old Pacific Hwy, 1st Gravel road on right. Bird sightings include: Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Swan, Goldfinch, Red Tailed Hawk.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/water-access-sites/30492
Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center
Viewing Sites
Head north on State Route 530 to Skagit County for a day of exploration, eagle sightings and a beautiful road trip. Registration is required for guided walks.
Location: Howard Miller Steelhead Park,
52809 Rockport Park Rd, Rockport
For more information and other areas in Skagit County to view eagles, go to: www.skagiteagle.org
