Skagit Wildlife Area Headquarters Unit to remain closed to public
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has determined that the Skagit Wildlife Area Headquarters Unit near Conway will remain closed to public access until further notice due to safety concerns. Walk-in access is prohibited.
WDFW hopes to reopen the Skagit Headquarters Unit to the public later in 2024 once critical public safety and habitat protection work is complete.
The area—also known as Wiley Slough—is popular for water access, waterfowl hunting, and bird watching and has been closed for construction since spring 2023. The construction project includes elevating dikes to improve protection of neighboring lands from flooding, renovating the boat launch on Freshwater Slough, and installing an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible loading ramp. Habitat restoration planting is also underway.
The project is not complete, hazards remain on the construction site, and winter rains increase the risk of erosion and damage to soft surfaces including dike trails, a temporary flood barrier, parking areas, the boat launch, and staged construction materials. Use of heavy machinery and other active construction work will resume in spring and may continue through early fall.
Area users are encouraged to recreate on other nearby WDFW-managed lands, including the Fir Island Farm Reserve Unit (no dogs allowed), North Fork Access Area (at the end of Rawlins Road on Fir Island), Leque Island Unit, and Samish Unit. Directions to these and other areas can be found at: wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/wildlife-areas.
More information is available in this WDFW statement from Dec. 15, 2023.
Year-round
Photos
