Jim Creek recreation area near Arlington opens for summer

Active duty military personnel, reservists and retirees can now head to Jim Creek Wilderness Recreation Area, which recently opened for camping season. On April 30, the regional outdoor recreation facility returned to its full summer operations.

By Adam Rudnick • June 9, 2010 10:07 am
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ARLINGTON — Active duty military personnel, reservists and retirees can now head to Jim Creek Wilderness Recreation Area, which recently opened for camping season.

On April 30, the regional outdoor recreation facility returned to its full summer operations.

The Twin Lakes were stocked and re-opened for fishing and boating, overnight accommodations became available seven days a week and regular weekend events and programs also resumed.

Staff at Jim Creek have been busy this spring preparing the facility for summer operations, said Kristin Ching, Naval Station Everett Public Affairs.

Part of that preparation included stocking more than 1,300 rainbow trout in Twin Lakes. The trout range between 7-14 inches in length, said Mike Petrowski, recreation programmer at Jim Creek.

“We’ve been getting our fish for the last 12 to 14 years from J & D Fisheries in Oso,” Petrowski said. “We plan on stocking the lakes three more times this summer.”

On Saturday, May 1, 51 fishermen hosted an angler’s breakfast to kick off the fishing season at Jim Creek.

Ching said the campground and site offers accommodations to suit all tastes.

Tent site are $10 per night for a remote site, located 3/4 of a mile out of camp, and $18 for a site in the lower valley.

Cabins without heat or electricity are also available. Those cabins start at $37 per night.

Heated cabins, which also have electricity, are $55 per night.

Also available are lodge rooms, which range from $43 to $68 per night. The entire lodge, which can accommodate up to 50 people, can also be rented for $950 per night.

Additionally, the Bear and Bobcat dens — apartment-style facilities — are available for $87 and $117 per night, respectively.

“Since we are nestled in the foothills of the North Cascades, Jim Creek has the feel of being a remote campground, but it’s only 30 miles from Naval Station Everett,” Petrowski said.

All of the recreational area’s camp sites are now open, with the exception of the Coyote Campsite, which remains closed for tree maintenance.

Reservations can be made by calling 425-304-5315. For more information, visit www.navylifepnw.com.