Gold Bar

Located on the western flank of the Cascade Mountains, Gold Bar is a charming town in the heart of the Skykomish River valley. Gold Bar got its start as a prospectors' camp in the 1860s. Today Gold Bar is rich with recreational opportunities -- hiking, camping, rafting and fishing.

The beautiful Skykomish River winds along the southern edge of Gold Bar, offering many possibilities for whitewater rafting, river kayaking and fishing. You also can visit the Washington State Fish Hatchery at Reiter Ponds nearby.

Just two miles north of Gold Bar is scenic Wallace Falls State Park, where a 7-mile loop trail leads you through lush forest pass cascading falls to a spectacular 265-foot waterfall. The park encompasses Wallace, Jay and Shaw lakes and sections of the Wallace and Skykomish rivers. Within the state park, there is camping and plenty of wildlife viewing.

Gold Bar's population is about 2,000. The town's outdoor character and historic roots are reflected in its local businesses with outfitters like Alpine Adventures and restaurants named the Prospector's Steak and Ale and the Mountain View Diner. To learn more about Gold Bar's early days as a gold mining and railroad town, stop by the Gold Bar Depot Museum.

Middle Wallace Falls photo courtesy of Anthony Mohr.