Skagit Information Center — Attraction in Area E (Chilliwack River Valley)

Newhalem, Washington, is a captivating company town nestled in the western foothills of the North Cascades along the Skagit River. Established in 1918 by Seattle City Light, it served as the headquarters for the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. Today, Newhalem remains a company town, inhabited primarily by employees of Seattle City Light and various governmental agencies.  

The town’s rich history is evident in its well-preserved landmarks. Visitors can explore the 1920 General Store, the Gorge Inn, Currier Hall, and the Gorge Powerhouse, now functioning as a museum. A notable attraction is Engine Number 6, affectionately known as “The Iron Horse of the Skagit,” a Baldwin steam locomotive that once transported workers and materials on the Skagit River Railway. Today, it stands proudly on Newhalem’s Main Street, allowing visitors to climb aboard and ring its bell. 

Nature enthusiasts will find Newhalem a gateway to several accessible trails. The Trail of the Cedars offers a serene walk through ancient western red cedar and Douglas fir trees, with interpretive signs detailing the area’s ecology. The Sterling Munro Boardwalk provides panoramic views of the Picket Range, while the Rock Shelter Trail leads to a 1,400-year-old hunting camp nestled beside Newhalem Creek.  

The Newhalem Visitor Center serves as an informative hub, featuring exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural history, a relief map of the area, and multimedia presentations. Adjacent to the visitor center is the Skagit Information Center, offering insights into the Skagit Project’s hydroelectric power and the surrounding communities. 

For those seeking an immersive experience, the Newhalem Creek Campground provides a tranquil setting amidst old-growth forests, with easy access to the town and nearby trails. 

In summary, Newhalem offers a unique blend of historical significance and natural beauty. Its preserved landmarks, informative centers, and scenic trails make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the North...

The Skagit Information Center is in Newhalem-a town that is owned by Seattle City Light, and the residents of this town work for SCL. The town, and the buildings open to the public, and the grounds are so beautiful in all seasons to me, and very well kept. You should see how pretty the planter boxes at the general store look in late Spring and Summer, and the gardens/grounds in late summer/early fall are gorgeous! So are the waterfalls in town and on the way out of town. The 'information center' title is a little deceiving in the sense that this IS a place you can go to obtain information about the area; it's just that in the months that the Park Service gift shop is non operational (it is open usually from around Memorial Day to Labor Day-ish if I recall correctly), you aren't going into a visitor center type building to get information. There are lots of helpful notices and maps and information posted by said gift shop and also across the lot outside of the general store (check Newhalem general store hours on Google; I believe the hours and days open vary from season to season). This is one of a very few places I can think of that still has a pay phone, too. The restrooms are kept very clean and are warm in the late Fall and throughout winter! It's worth a stop here even if you don't need any information about anything just to have a walk on the Trail of Cedars or to Ladder Creek Falls-both trails include very cool suspension bridges! And retired Steam Engine No.6 is always a fun picture stop, with a little playground just behind it for kids who need a break from the car. Please visit respectfully-no litter, no trace hiking practices please, and read the road signs-I see a lot of people not realizing it is a one way through street into the Skagit info center parking area and back out of town😬I hope others will be able to say in the future what I say now-this place is as beautiful as it was over two decades ago when I...

Mike is AWESOME, Devon is so thoughtful.

So better than Yellowstone gift shop. Pat has fabulous taste in merchandising.

This was a cool place to be. People came in for water.

Our car broke down so we had to wait a couple hours in front of gift shop.

Since we live nearby we have been in this shop before, so we have bought books and maps. The t shirts are SO soft.

What was new to us were the toy stuffed birds which added to the joy of the barrels of stuffed wildlife. (Complete your collection here.)

Pat knows what customers want. There were post cards, pins, etc. But also beautiful jewelry and informative displays.

This is not your usual gift shop.

A selection of top of the line items, like chocolate and trail bars. We ate our way through a bunch.

Even husband was impressed. The trail bar was really tasty, and took the edge off waiting in the heat.

Devon got us chairs and stood so we could sit.

But most impressive was Mike O'Regan. He also stood while he offered his seat to us old folks. Mike made sure we rotated in from the outside periodically, so we didn't get heat stroke (over 100 in the shade).

Mike is a gracious host and shared his stories on how he got up here. He made sure we were ok until the tow truck driver came in from Burlington, and the son came from Seattle to pickup the family.

We filled our water bottles from the bottle fountain. And the bathrooms were well stocked and clean. Pat's good management skills are noticed even when he is not there.

Made a BAD day into an adventure.

Thank you Mike, you are exceptional.

This is what customer service is about. 10...