Horseback riding campground ‘culmination of a big dream’

ROCKPORT – Rainwater filtered down through red cedar leaves above Mike Goodman on Monday as a steady drizzle drenched his 43-acre property near the Sauk River.

Goodman and wife, Doreen, bought the land in 1999 and have gradually transformed it into Sauk River Farm, a campground for horseback riding enthusiasts.

“It’s a culmination of a big dream,” Mike Goodman said as heavy drops of rain pelted his hat. “This was our retirement project since we bought it.”

The Goodmans were standing at one of their primitive campsites adjacent to Bartholomew Slough, which flows into the Skagit River. The campsites, 18 in all, include benches, fire pits and high-line tethers to give horses extra space to roam.

From there, campers can cross the shallow Bartholomew Slough to a 3-mile trail system that leads to the Sauk River.

After reaching the Sauk River, riders can continue along its shoreline until the river connects to the Skagit River. The Goodmans received permission from the state Department of Natural Resources to gain access to that land.

“It’s really a unique facility in Skagit County,” Mike Goodman said. “Depending on your skill level, you can ride the shore all the way to the Skagit River.”

Sauk River Farms caters to those interested in wilderness camping. For instance, a tree overhanging Bartholomew Slough can hold several eagles as the birds hunt spawning salmon, Mike Goodman said.

“Out here you may encounter a bear,” he said. “You’ll encounter bald eagles. Nobody owns anything from here to the Skagit. There’s not a single house, cabin or road on the river.”

The loop campground can accommodate RVs and horse trailers. Sauk River Farm also accommodates day-use riders, for those who don’t wish to camp but want to explore the area.

Getting to this point took the Goodmans, now both retired, about 17 years. They bought half the property in 1999 and the second half a bit later. Mike Goodman said he’d do spurts of work while juggling his full-time job.

Standing next to the slough, its pale green waters slowly flowing toward the Skagit River, Goodman recalled the first time he set foot on the property. He had driven his pickup down an old dirt road before reaching the overgrown piece of land.

“It was overgrown so bad you could not open both doors of the truck,” he said. “It was 8 feet tall.”

Since then, Goodman has hacked through all that brush, fixed the road and cut a trail to the Sauk River.

Not bad for a retirement project.

“It’s been an experience,” he said.