King: Nature, Trails and Waterfalls

A 500-foot suspension bridge over the Snoqualmie River is a prominent landmark in Tolt-MacDonald Park. The park also has twelve miles of forest and riverside trails. In fall, visitors can watch Chinook salmon spawning there. Landscapes in King range from rivers and wetlands to coastline, forest and waterfalls; there are also places with sporting and cultural significance.

River Trails and Seasonal Wildlife Viewing

The Snoqualmie Valley Trail passes working farms and protected open spaces. Along the way, visitors can enjoy views of farms, the North Fork Snoqualmie River and wildlife. The trail connects to the interstate Palouse to Cascades Trail. Those interested in a longer route can find a 19-mile paved trail on the Green River Trail, running from Seattle’s southern edge to the city of Kent. Osprey nests and several covered benches for birdwatching can be found along the banks.

The Soos Creek Trail also combines scenery and wildlife viewing: it passes through wetlands and gently rolling wooded hills and is suitable for leisurely walks, bike rides and horseback riding. South of the parking lot at 148th Ave SE, a heron colony can be seen in the wetlands along the trail in fall and winter. Together with the Chinook salmon at Tolt-MacDonald Park, this illustrates a specific seasonal difference: salmon viewing is described for fall, while the heron colony can be seen in fall and winter.

The Cedar River Trail offers views of and access to Lake Washington and the Cedar River. The river trails therefore showcase different landscapes: the Snoqualmie Valley Trail passes farms and open spaces, while the banks along the Green River Trail offer opportunities for birdwatching. These differences can help you choose the nature experiences that are of particular interest to you during your stay.

Forests, Coastline and Distinctive Landscapes

Soaring Eagle Regional Park encompasses 790 acres of old-growth forest, wetlands and wildlife habitats. Twelve miles of multi-use trails add to the landscape. The Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area protects notable geological features and offers views of the Olympic Mountains. Those interested in geology and distant views, as well as trails and wildlife viewing, will find a different focus here.

Snoqualmie Falls is a 268-foot waterfall on the Snoqualmie River in eastern King County. The site is also historically significant because of its close connection to the traditional cultural heritage of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. Nature and cultural heritage therefore cannot be separated here: the waterfall is both a prominent landscape feature and a place of historical significance.

Maury Island Marine Park is directly on Puget Sound and includes an undeveloped area with more than a mile of shoreline. From Seattle, the park is accessible by the Fauntleroy–Vashon ferry; from Tacoma, by the Point Defiance–Tahlequah ferry. Check the respective ferry schedules when planning your trip. This makes a visit to the coast a different kind of outing to plan than a trip to the river and forest trails.

Parks for Activities and Cultural Heritage

Marymoor Park combines trails with cycling and history. It has walking and biking trails as well as nature trails. The park is also home to Washington State’s only velodrome: a 400-meter cycling track. Clise Mansion is also located in Marymoor Park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park thus offers several different points of interest—from time on the trails to cycling and historic cultural heritage.

At Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, visitors must stay on the trails because of hazards from historic mining activity. Most trails are intended primarily for hikers; horseback riding is permitted on some. Activities offered at Olallie State Park include waterfall viewing, hiking, biking and climbing. The park is also connected to the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. Tolt-MacDonald Park hosts the three-day Timber! Outdoor Music Festival each year; check the specific event dates before your trip.

Explore more destinations: Kent, Federal Way, Shoreline, Tukwila, Kenmore, Enumclaw, Snoqualmie, Normandy Park, Seatac, Burien, North Bend, Baring, Vashon Island, Newcastle, Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Seattle, Woodinville, Redmond, Renton, Des Moines, Mercer Island, Skykomish, Issaquah, Sammamish, Kirkland.

For the broader travel overview: Washington.