Looking for an adventure in the Maple Valley area? Join us as we explore Lake Wildnerness Park.
Hello, Explore Washington State readers! Hilary and Roscoe here. Well, technically just Hilary. Roscoe is a dog, and while he’s content to hang out while I write, he has yet to master a keyboard. We’ve recently become Washington state residents coming all the way from Florida. Since moving here, our favorite pastime has been exploring all this state has to offer. Roscoe loves to sniff the world around him and we’re constantly checking out new hikes and trails to explore.
One of our recent favorites is Lake Wilderness Park. Lake Wilderness Park is a 117 acre hidden gem nestled on the banks of Lake Wilderness in Maple Valley. It has everything you could want in a park. Beautiful views of a quiet lake, miles of walking trails, swimming in the summer, fishing, a baseball field, tennis courts and the list goes on. Most important to us though, it’s incredibly dog friendly!
Explore the Arboretum
One of our favorite parts about this park is how it is connected to the Lake Wilderness Arboretum. It hosts five acres of gardens for you to enjoy, 30 acres of forest trails and even a nursery. Meander through the paths and enjoy the plant life the different gardens have to offer. Enjoy reading? See if you can find the little free library! Want to be a little more adventurous? Roscoe’s favorite part of this park is the 30 acres of forest trails behind the Arboretum.
While the park can get busy on a nice afternoon these trails are always serene. There are several access points to the forest preserve. I recommend grabbing a copy of the map before entering. While you’re only steps away from the park it can feel like you’re miles away (in a good way)!
Walk (or Bike) the Cedar River Trail
The Cedar River Trail is one of the most popular outdoor attractions in King County. You can get to the trail by taking the Green-To-Cedar River Trail. It borders Lake Wilderness Park right behind the Arboretum. The trail is approximately 18 miles and runs through Renton, Maplewood, Cedar Mountain, Maple Valley and Rock Creek. The paved trail is always populated with joggers, bikers and dogs taking their humans for a nice brisk walk.
Summer Activities
Roscoe and I arrived as summer was ending and we haven’t had a chance to try out some of the summer offerings. Yet, they’re on the top of the list for when summer comes back around. A great way to spend the day is of course, on the lake! If you get tired of swimming, the City of Maple Valley is offering five different boats to rent. Try out a paddle board, kayak, pedal boat, canoe or rowboat. Another activity I’d love to try, is a round on their Disc Golf Course. Offering 18 holes, the course looks like it would be an exciting and competitive way to spend the afternoon.
Enjoy the View
No matter what you end up doing at the park, you’ll have a great view. Whether you’re sitting on the lawn looking out at the lake, smelling the flowers in the gardens or enjoying the woods in the forest preserve, you’ll have a great view while doing it.
Please remember when exploring the great outdoors to leave it better than you found it. This includes cleaning up after your pet. Leave no trace so we can continue to enjoy our world for years to come.
Roscoe is really cute!! What kind of dog is he?
[…] an annual festival called “Maple Valley Days.” This festival is celebrated each year at Lake Wilderness Park in King County. The events start the second weekend of June and include a variety of […]