Float Skagit is a small, family-owned kayak and canoe rental and shuttle service based in the Skagit Valley, specializing in guided float routes down the lower Skagit River as well as “Grab and Go” rentals for local lakes and ponds. The business launches from two locations in the Skagit Valley, offering a relaxing, no-guide-required way to explore the river.
The core float trips include a 5-Mile Skagit River float from Edgewater Park along the northern edge of Fir Island, a slower-paced 6-Mile route from the Skagit River Fork along the eastern side of Fir Island toward the Wiley Slough Wildlife Area, and a 9-Mile float also starting at Edgewater Park and ending near Wiley Slough. All three are Class I, no-experience-needed trips running roughly 2 to 3 hours, with transportation included so guests just need to show up and paddle. For those who’d rather bring a boat to a nearby lake instead, the Grab and Go option offers daily kayak or canoe rentals for pickup or free local delivery, with rental racks and trailers also available for guests whose vehicles can’t carry a boat.
Every route passes through scenic Skagit farmland with mountain views, and wildlife sightings are common along the way, including river otters, beavers, black-tailed deer, harbor seals, and raccoons, plus notable birdlife like bald eagles (especially in winter salmon season), osprey, great blue herons, and belted kingfishers. The lower Skagit is also home to Chinook, coho, and pink salmon, along with steelhead and bull trout.
Pricing for the 5-Mile trip runs $30 to $80, the 6-Mile trip runs $30 to $85, and the 9-Mile trip runs $35 to $95, depending on group size and boat type. Every rental includes a paddle, PFD, and signaling whistle, and guests receive a safety briefing on kayak basics, the route, and pickup locations before setting out. Trips only cancel (with a full refund) if river conditions are deemed unsafe; light rain or overcast weather won’t stop a float.
For families and paddlers looking for a relaxed, guide-free float down the Skagit River or a simple kayak rental for a nearby lake, Float Skagit offers a well-reviewed, locally run outfitter based in Mount Vernon.
