Rockport is a quiet mountain town with forest views and river access
Rockport is a rural town between the Skagit River and the North Cascades Mountain Range in northwest Washington. With a population of around 100 residents, it offers a quiet atmosphere surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains. Its remote setting has made it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, who have easy access to sprawling parks in the region’s scenic, alpine landscape. “It’s a different kind of living out there," says Realtor Amanda Toscano of Century 21, who grew up in the nearby town of Concrete. "It’s very peaceful and pretty, but you’re also roughing it a little bit. You’re going to need a backup generator. You should be prepared for bears and cougars being around your property, that kind of thing."
Trails and riverfront recreation surround the small town
Rockport is surrounded by the 630-acre expanse of Rockport State Park. This old-growth forest offers 5 miles of hiking trails that wind through the woods, including a path that takes visitors to the summit of Sauk Mountain. Closer to the river, Howard Miller Steelhead Park offers riverside camping, boating and fishing spots on the Skagit. The Skagit Sauk Reach Trail starts near the campground, hugging a former railbed that skirts the river’s edge. “The river is so beautiful. You can just sit and take in the scenery and the wildlife all around you,” Toscano says. Beyond the town are the North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area, featuring expansive wilderness adventures, from backcountry hiking and climbing to camping in remote, alpine hills.
Homes on wooded lots with mountain views and quiet roads
The town has a mix of vintage cabins, farmhouses and timber-framed homes on tree-lined lanes. Many of them are perched on generous lots with up to 5 acres that offer undisturbed views of alpine forests and mountain scenery. Wood siding, front decks and screened-in porches are a common sight here. The streets are typically quiet, with very little traffic, shaded by mature trees and brush. Prices range from around $250,000 to $950,000. Large farmhouses with sprawling lots are at the high end of the range, while older fixer-uppers list for lower prices. Flooding is a regular concern for homes near the Skagit River.
Dining and shopping options are limited but within 10 miles of home
Rockport Bar & Grill, the only restaurant in town, serves bar snacks, pizza, beer and happy hour specials. For everything else, locals head about 10 miles west to Concrete, another small town on the Skagit River. It has a historic downtown area with local shops, retailers and a few restaurants. Cascade Burgers features classic diner fare, Annie’s Pizza Station has wood-fired pizzas, and 5b’s Bakery is the go-to for coffee and pastries. The rustic Skagit General Store sells snacks, camping supplies and produce, making it a convenient pit stop for Rockport residents.
Students commute to Concrete for school
Students will have to make the trek to Concrete to get to school. They can start at Concrete Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade. It gets a C-minus rating from Niche. The next step is B-minus-rated Concrete High School, which covers seventh through 12th grades. The high school has a four-year graduation rate of 79%. It offers a full slate of athletic programs, from cheerleading and softball to football, track and field, and soccer.
Sedro-Woolley and Burlington are the nearest city centers
Rockport has no public transportation options, so locals must rely on personal vehicles. The nearest mid-sized cities are Sedro-Woolley, about 32 miles away, and Burlington, about 37 miles away. Sedro-Woolley is also home to PeaceHealth United General Medical Center, the nearest major hospital. It’s about 110 miles to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the region’s most trafficked airport.
