Hiking at Northern State Ghost Town in Sedro-Woolley, Washington

Looking for more hikes in Skagit Valley?
Check out the trails at Little Mountain Park, including this three-mile loop or the Bonnie & Clyde loop.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Parking is free at Northern State Recreation Area. In addition to the large paved parking lot, overflow parking is available along the road.
• Restrooms, picnic tables, and a covered picnic shelter are located near the parking lot. There’s also the beautiful new Veterans Community Plaza. Additional picnic areas are found elsewhere in the park, including one down the trail on the opposite side of the Northern State Ghost Town barns.
• Please don’t enter the abandoned buildings at Northern State Ghost Town. I know it’s tempting, and we explored one without realizing it was off limits, but these crumbling structures can be unsafe. Better not to risk it.
• Dogs on leash are welcome at Northern State Recreation Area.
• Horses are allowed on some trails.
• Northern State Recreation Area also hosts a large disc golf course. There was a tournament during our visit, with many golfers out on the course.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

Northern State Ghost Town is an intriguing place to wander. Peek into the abandoned barns and imagine what life must have been like for the residents of this former asylum. Perhaps for some it was a relief to have a place where they could belong and be given a purpose. For others, it may have been more like a prison sentence. Sadly, we know mental health care in the past could be downright dangerous. But think of where we are today and consider, are we doing much better?

The hospital closed in the 1970s and the grounds are now open to all under the name Northern State Recreation Area. Trails lead further into the woods and offer a surprising variety of terrain. Take a ramble along Hansen Creek, wander through a cedar forest, and enjoy gorgeous mountain views. The easy trails at Northern State Ghost Town are a joy to discover.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Northern State Ghost Town is a treat to explore with kids. The trails are easy, and there are so many fun surprises to discover. Unfortunately, my older son was still recovering from a cold, so he sat most of this one out — quite literally on a park bench near the start of our hike. The younger one wasn’t into it at first, but ended up enthusiastically exploring the abandoned buildings with the rest of us. It’s a great place to wander without a big agenda, where the only goal is enjoying time spent together in the great outdoors. It’s also a great place to try out disc golf, play a game of catch, or kick around a soccer ball.

I have just one word of caution: as tempting as it is to explore further, please stay safe and keep out of the abandoned buildings.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Northern State Ghost Town is a great destination on its own, or a fun stop when driving the I-5 corridor through Northern Washington. On a camping trip? Consider staying at Bay View Campground on the Salish Sea. We also enjoy hiking at Little Mountain Park in Mount Vernon, where you can check out the Bonnie & Clyde Loop or try this three-mile loop. Another nearby hike to consider is the Skagit Wildlife Area (preferably not during hunting season). Further west, head to Whistle Lake on Fidalgo Island for excellent hiking, swimming, and paddling.

Feeling hungry? We enjoy Railroad Pizza & Pub in nearby Burlington. They make their own delicious malted pizza dough, including a gluten free version, and have an old-fashioned arcade for the kids.

On a mild March day under overcast skies, we set out to finally see Northern State Ghost Town for ourselves. I say finally because this unique place has long been on our list. It’s only a short drive from my brother-in-law’s place in Mount Vernon, so naturally he joined us. Who doesn’t want to explore the ruins of a former state mental hospital?

My older son, J, had no such interest as it turns out. Blame it on the fact he was still recovering from a cold. We started our hike by doing a loop on the wide, flat gravel path encircling the large field near the parking lot. On the far side of the loop, J found his calling: a bench. This, he decided, is where he would spend his time, resting while the rest of us wandered further afield. Rather than push him past his limits, I figured that in this case a rest was probably best.

After some initial resistance, my younger son, T, ran ahead to join his father and uncle. As we came to the edge of the field, a trail branched off to the left. There, struggling under the weight of neglect and abundant blackberry vines, we came upon the former Northern State Hospital cannery buildings. A sign along the path gave insight into their purpose. During its time as an institution, Northern State’s goal was to be self-sustaining, which included growing and canning their own food.

Inside the former cannery, blackberry vines twined through the empty window frames, while moss crept across counters. It held a certain mysterious allure, the way abandoned places always do. The taggers apparently agreed, as this spot, more than any other at Northern State Ghost Town, was riddled with graffiti. Despite the graffiti, there’s something both awful and amazing about how quickly nature consumes a vacant building once humans no longer care to preserve it.

Past the cannery, we caught our first glimpse of the creek. We ambled through part of the disc golf course, passing teams of disc golfers. There was a tournament today, and the parking lot was packed with participants. The course at Northern State Recreation Area is extensive, but it only crosses the trail in a few locations.

We came to another fork in the trail and again turned left. A smokestack peaked above the trees, and we were curious to learn more. As it turns out, that smokestack belonged to one of the formed asylum buildings that is still in use. Across the creek, we spotted numerous other buildings, including the former mental hospital itself, that are now part of the Swift Center and the Cascades Recreation Center. While this area isn’t part of the Northern State Recreation Area, I believe you are still allowed to walk the grounds if you’re curious to see more.

Another sign along the trail pointed toward the pump house, which sounded intriguing, especially to seven-year-old T. Sure enough, a small building perched at the edge of the creek housed a rusty old pump, which connected to a series of pipes crossing the stream. Presumably, this was the source of the former hospital’s water supply. Lured by a newly built bridge, we decided to cross the creek as we continued our explorations.

A newly constructed gravel trail led past a marshy field and slowly wound uphill and into the forest. We caught sight of the creek in the gully below, trickling through the brushy marshland. In one place, skunk cabbages popped up from the marshes, their brilliant yellow blooms standing in stark contrast to the barren grey branches of winter.

As we walked, the forest around us changed, and we found ourselves surrounded by tall cedar trees. The trail was peaceful and serene, although T seemed to be having an existential crisis. Perhaps triggered by the ruins of Northern State Ghost Town, he railed against how we humans thwart nature, clearing forests and pushing out animals to make way for developments. Not to mention the fact that all things must eventually die, which seemed the greatest tragedy of all.

Phew! I did not expect such heavy conversation when I set out on this hike. You never know where nature’s inspiration may lead, I suppose. Thankfully, T’s thoughts turned rosier as we continued on, and he began to find more joy in the nature around him to replace his sorrow.

We reached the end of the trail at a dead-end a half mile or so from the pump house. This new route is still a work in progress. And hey, they’re looking for volunteers, in case you live in the area and are interested. We turned back and soon passed the pump house. This time, we kept to the left and stayed on the trail leading to the main attraction here at Northern State Ghost Town, the asylum’s former barns. It’s a beautiful walk along a wide road, with the foothills of the Cascade Mountains framing the view.

At the barns, we peered into the hollow remains of what was once a busy farm, complete with rows of cows and horses. We then reunited with J, who had enjoyed a peaceful nap and was glad to see us finally return. Hopefully on our next visit he can check out the ghost town for himself. And yes, I’m sure there will be another visit; at Northern State Ghost Town, there is always more to explore.