Federation Forest State Park

Federation Forest State Park: Cascade Foothills’ Cathedral of Ancient Trees Saved by 1920s Women Conservationists

Federation Forest State Park transforms 574 acres of preserved old-growth evergreens along the scenic White River into Washington’s premier living testament to early women’s conservation efforts, where the pioneering “Save a Tree” campaign launched by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1926 created a magnificent cathedral of ancient trees that visitors explore today through 12 miles of interpretive trails including the Fred Cleator loops honoring early forestry conservation.

This remarkable destination near Greenwater on the Chinook Scenic Byway preserves the vision of forward-thinking women like Jean Caithness Greenlees and Catherine Montgomery, the pioneering educator and acknowledged “Mother of the Pacific Crest Trail” whose $89,000 estate donation funded the interpretive center that educates visitors about ecosystem differences across Washington’s mountains while showcasing native plant gardens featuring edible and poisonous species from diverse regional environments on traditional Muckleshoot tribal territory.

Federation Forest State Park Fast Facts

Park Overview

Federation Forest State Park preserves a magnificent cathedral of old-growth evergreens that serves as Washington’s most significant monument to early women’s conservation leadership, where the visionary “Save a Tree” campaign launched in 1926 by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs saved precious ancient forest from the rapid deforestation sweeping the region during the early 20th century.

The park’s inspiring origin story begins with Everett High School teacher Jean Caithness Greenlees, who recognized the urgent need to preserve old-growth ecosystems for future generations and partnered with club president Esther Maltby to raise $25,000 through innovative fundraising including $1 “Save a Tree” buttons and $100 tree sponsorships with bronze plaques that donors could claim, ultimately receiving critical support from National Park Service director Stephen Mather and National Geographic Society president Gilbert Grosvenor.

This remarkable conservation success story reaches its educational culmination through the Catherine Montgomery Interpretive Center, funded by the $89,000 estate donation from the pioneering educator and conservationist known as the “Mother of the Pacific Crest Trail” for her original concept of the transcontinental hiking route, while the park’s scenic White River location provides the perfect setting for 12 miles of interpretive trails including the Fred Cleator loops that honor early forestry conservation efforts.

Federation Forest State Park’s position on traditional Muckleshoot tribal territory adds cultural significance to the natural heritage preserved through women’s determination to save these ancient trees that now provide year-round educational opportunities for understanding Washington’s diverse mountain ecosystems and the critical importance of old-growth forest preservation.

Activities & Recreation

Federation Forest State Park’s signature experience combines old-growth forest exploration with comprehensive environmental education, where the Fred Cleator Interpretive Trails guide visitors through a magnificent cathedral of ancient Douglas firs, Noble firs, Alaska red cedars, and other evergreens whose fire-scarred bark tells stories of centuries past while interpretive signs explain the complex forest ecosystem relationships.

The Catherine Montgomery Interpretive Center enhances the forest experience by educating visitors about ecosystem differences between eastern and western mountain slopes, early women conservationists’ efforts, and Muckleshoot tribal connections to the land, while the surrounding native plant garden provides hands-on learning about regional flora including identification of edible and poisonous species from diverse Washington environments.

Facilities & Amenities

Federation Forest State Park provides comprehensive day-use facilities including three picnic areas with two reservable shelters without electricity, while the upper picnic area features a covered shelter, braziers, restrooms with running water, drinking fountains, and ADA-compliant accessibility serving families and groups seeking forest recreation experiences.

The Catherine Montgomery Interpretive Center serves as the park’s educational hub with exhibits about mountain ecosystems, early women conservationists, and Muckleshoot tribal heritage, operating June through August on Friday through Sunday from 8 AM to dusk, plus shoulder season weekend hours depending on weather conditions.

Additional amenities include gift shop services at the interpretive center, native plant gardens surrounding the facility, and trail access points connecting to both the White River viewing areas and the 12-mile trail system that accommodates hikers seeking everything from short educational walks to longer forest exploration experiences.

Camping & Accommodations

Federation Forest State Park is day use only. No overnight camping is allowed.

Planning Your Visit to Federation Forest State Park

Federation Forest State Park operates from 8 AM to dusk year-round with Discover Pass required for day-use access, while the Catherine Montgomery Interpretive Center maintains seasonal schedules with full operations June through August on weekends plus weather-dependent shoulder season hours during April, May, September, and October.

The park’s location 18 miles east of Enumclaw along Highway 410 provides convenient access via the Chinook Scenic Byway, making it an ideal stop when traveling to or from Mount Rainier National Park, Crystal Mountain, or other Cascade destinations.

Optimal visiting times vary by interest, with May offering peak wildflower displays including trilliums, July providing lush summer forest conditions, and fall delivering spectacular vine maple color displays, while the year-round accessibility ensures that this old-growth forest sanctuary remains available for educational and recreational experiences regardless of season.

What to Bring & Know

• Interpretive center seasonal schedule awareness for accessing educational exhibits about mountain ecosystems and early women conservationists
• Native plant identification interest for learning about regional edible and poisonous species in the educational garden displays
• Forest hiking preparation for 12 miles of trails ranging from easy interpretive loops to moderate terrain exploration
• Historical appreciation for understanding the 1926 “Save a Tree” campaign and early women’s conservation leadership legacy
• White River viewing opportunities for scenic photography and seasonal wildflower observation along the riparian corridor

Final Word

Federation Forest State Park delivers Washington’s most inspiring combination of old-growth forest preservation and women’s conservation history, where Catherine Montgomery’s Pacific Crest Trail vision and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ pioneering efforts created a magnificent living cathedral of ancient trees for generations to explore and cherish.

This park is part of the Explore Washington State Parks Directory—showcasing all of Washington’s State Parks from the rugged Pacific coast to the Cascade peaks. Whether you’re camping under old-growth forests, hiking scenic trails, or discovering local history, we’re highlighting the places where people connect with the state’s incredible natural and cultural heritage—all year long.

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Explore Washington State has been covering the real Washington for more than a decade. State parks, small towns, back roads, rest stops, and the people who make this place worth exploring. What started as a hyperlocal project covering individual communities grew into a full media project with more than 340 podcast episodes, a weekly newsletter with 3,800 subscribers, and coverage of all 146 Washington State Parks. The content here comes from people who have actually been to these places: locals, regulars, and lifelong Washington residents who care more about getting it right than getting clicks.

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