Rasar

Rasar State Park is a 169-acre day-use and camping park located along the banks of the Skagit River in northwestern Washington near the town of Concrete. The park features a mix of forested riverside habitat and open areas, providing access to one of Washington's premier salmon-spawning rivers. Named after the Rasar family who homesteaded the land in the early 1900s, the park serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation in the North Cascades region. Popular activities include fishing, river viewing, camping, and hiking through mature second-growth forests with occasional old-growth Douglas fir specimens.

The park's wildlife is closely tied to the Skagit River ecosystem, with salmon runs attracting bald eagles, river otters, and harbor seals during spawning seasons. Black-tailed deer browse through the forested areas, while black bears occasionally visit in search of salmon or berries. The riparian forest provides habitat for songbirds including varied thrushes, winter wrens, and Pacific wrens, along with woodpeckers such as pileated and hairy woodpeckers. Small mammals like Douglas squirrels, raccoons, and opossums are common throughout the park's wooded areas.

The park's vegetation includes mature second-growth forest dominated by Douglas fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock, with an understory of sword ferns, salal, and Oregon grape. Bigleaf maples and red alders grow along the riverbanks, their roots helping stabilize the shoreline while providing important detritus to the aquatic ecosystem. The forest floor supports a variety of mosses, lichens, and seasonal wildflowers including trillium and bleeding heart. Blackberry thickets and other shrubs create dense cover in more open areas, while cottonwoods and willows line the river's edge.

The park sits within the Skagit River valley, which was carved by glacial meltwater during the last ice age approximately 15,000 years ago. The underlying geology consists of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks overlain by deep glacial deposits of sand, gravel, and silt. The Skagit River continues to shape the landscape through seasonal flooding and channel migration, depositing new sediments and creating gravel bars. The park's relatively flat terrain contrasts with the dramatic Cascade peaks visible to the east, representing the broader geological transition from mountainous terrain to lowland valleys.

Rasar State Park experiences a marine-influenced climate with mild, wet winters and warm, relatively dry summers typical of western Washington. Average annual precipitation is approximately 45-50 inches, with most rainfall occurring between October and March. Winter temperatures typically range from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit, while summer temperatures average in the 70s with occasional peaks into the 80s. The Skagit River valley can experience fog and low clouds, particularly during winter months, while summer brings long days with extended evening light.

The Skagit River valley has been home to Coast Salish peoples, particularly the Upper Skagit Tribe, for thousands of years, who relied on the river's abundant salmon runs and surrounding forests for sustenance. European-American settlement began in earnest in the late 1800s with logging operations and agriculture, transforming much of the valley's original old-growth forest. The Rasar family homesteaded the park's land in the early 20th century, farming and living along the river for several generations. The area's economy historically centered on logging, mining, and agriculture, with nearby Concrete serving as a cement manufacturing town in the early 1900s.

Rasar State Park was established when the Rasar family donated their riverside property to Washington State Parks in 1961, preserving the land for public recreation. The park was developed with camping facilities, picnic areas, and river access points to serve visitors exploring the North Cascades Highway corridor. Over the decades, the park has undergone various improvements including trail development, facility upgrades, and restoration of riparian habitat. Today it operates as a year-round park offering both day-use and overnight camping, serving as a peaceful riverside retreat for locals and travelers passing through the Skagit Valley.

The park features several miles of hiking trails winding through forested areas and along the Skagit River, offering opportunities for bird watching and wildlife observation. River access is a major attraction, with designated fishing areas and launch points for non-motorized watercraft including kayaks and canoes. During winter months, the river viewing areas become popular spots to observe bald eagles feeding on spawning salmon, part of the larger Upper Skagit Bald Eagle Natural Area. The park's mature forests provide pleasant walking trails with interpretive opportunities, while open meadow areas offer space for picnicking and group activities.

Rasar State Park is located approximately 20 miles east of Interstate 5 via State Route 20, accessible from the towns of Burlington or Sedro-Woolley. The park offers 38 standard campsites, 18 utility sites with water and electrical hookups, three primitive tent sites, and restroom facilities with showers. Day-use amenities include picnic tables, fire grills, a group picnic shelter, and a trailer dump station for RV campers. The park is open year-round, with peak visitation during summer months and eagle-watching season from December through February. Reservations are recommended for camping during high season.

The park plays an important role in protecting riparian habitat along the Skagit River, one of the most important salmon-spawning rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State Parks manages the forested areas to maintain mature forest conditions while removing invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry and English ivy that threaten native plant communities. The Skagit River is designated as a Wild and Scenic River, and the park contributes to broader watershed protection efforts including bank stabilization and water quality monitoring. Educational programs focus on salmon ecology, forest ecosystems, and the importance of river conservation, connecting visitors to the region's natural heritage and ongoing environmental stewardship.