Discover Thurston County

In Thurston County, nature experiences range from saltwater beaches to trails through old-growth forests. There are also wildlife areas, museums, and a scenic loop with agricultural, ecological, and cultural stops. You can choose different focuses for your stay—from nature walks to local history.

Parks, Coastal Landscapes, and Wildlife

Parks in Thurston County offer waterfront trails, saltwater beaches, hiking paths through old-growth forests, and peaceful nature preserves. Burfoot Park covers 65 acres and has 1,100 feet of saltwater beach along Budd Inlet. It also features nature trails and beach access.

At Deschutes Falls Park, a trail about a quarter mile long leads from the parking lot to a viewing platform with a railing. At the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, four miles of trails pass through diverse habitats. The trails offer views of native plants and wildlife, including amphibians and mammals. They run along accessible boardwalks and gravel paths; an elevated boardwalk provides views over salt marshes, mudflats, and a tidal river. The refuge is directly off Interstate 5.

The Black River-Mima Prairie Glacial Heritage Preserve, also known as Glacial Heritage, preserves a different kind of landscape: it shows what the land in the Puget Sound region looked like when settlers arrived in the 19th century. Capitol State Forest covers 110,000 acres in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties. It is a popular recreation area as well as a timber-producing forest.

Trails for Different Activities

The Chehalis Western Trail is a 22-mile paved route for biking, running, and walking. There is also an unpaved equestrian trail. The trail provides access to 170 acres of parks in diverse ecosystems. The paved Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail is 14.5 miles long and runs east to west through the southern part of Thurston County. The Ralph Munro Trail is another paved multi-use route for walking, biking, and running.

At Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, half a mile of walking paths wind through 15 acres. Along the trails are cascades, tranquil reflecting pools, and large rocks; footbridges connect the different sections. When comparing routes, the listed differences can be especially helpful: the length and paved surface of the two longer trails, the additional uses of the Chehalis Western Trail, or the shorter walking paths at Brewery Park.

Museums, Architecture, and History

The Olympic Flight Museum showcases aviation history through aircraft ranging from a World War II trainer to jet interceptors, fighter planes, and helicopters. The museum also hosts the annual Olympic Air Show.

The Bigelow House is a Carpenter Gothic-style residence built in the 1850s. Sunday tours of the Bigelow House are listed at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.; check before you go to confirm that these times are still in effect. The Tenino Depot Museum is also housed in a historic building: its sandstone structure was built in 1914 as a Northern Pacific depot. The museum features a printing press used to make historic wooden money, logging and quarrying tools, railroad memorabilia, and local artifacts.

Tours of the Legislative Building take you through representatives’ offices and show you its stately architecture, a Tiffany chandelier, and paintings. The free tours typically last about 50 minutes. Check the schedule before your visit. These different cultural offerings range from architecture and interiors to collections that explore aviation and regional history.

Agriculture and Local Experiences

The Thurston Bountiful Byway is a 60-mile loop featuring agritourism, scenic experiences, and recreational activities. Along the route are more than 50 recommended agricultural, ecological, and cultural stops. Offerings include farm visits, seasonal produce, fruit and vegetable picking, insights into sustainable agriculture, and meals made with ingredients straight from the farm.

Farmers markets in Thurston County offer seasonal produce and ingredients, as well as crafts and other handmade goods. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, deciding what you want to focus on can be a useful starting point: nature trails, museums, and rural experiences each offer different themes to shape your plans.

Explore More Destinations

Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, Rainier, Chelan County, Klickitat County, Grays Harbor County, King

For the main travel overview: Washington.