Olympia’s Best Parks and Trails for Your Everyday Outdoor Routine

Forest Walks: Squaxin Park and Watershed Park

Squaxin Park, formerly known as Priest Point Park, is a strong starting point for anyone who associates Olympia with tall trees and saltwater. Along East Bay Drive, the park combines wooded trails with access to views of Budd Inlet. Its slopes and branching paths make it feel more varied than a simple neighborhood loop. Choose your route before leaving the trailhead, especially if you want a shorter walk: a path heading downhill can mean a noticeable climb on the return. Shoreline conditions change with the tide, so keep beach exploration separate from your basic walking plan.

Watershed Park offers a different forest experience around the Moxlie Creek headwaters, with its main entrance off Henderson Boulevard. Expect a sheltered, green setting with uneven ground, elevation changes, and wooden crossings rather than a flat, paved promenade. It is a good choice when you want to feel away from traffic without leaving Olympia. For either park, wear shoes with traction and consult the city’s current trail information. Wet leaves, slick wood, and storm debris can turn a familiar route into a slower walk, particularly during the rainy season.

Waterfront Walks: Percival Landing and Capitol Lake

Percival Landing is a natural choice for a shorter downtown outing. Its boardwalk setting puts you beside the working waterfront, with boats, public art, and changing views across the water. It works well when your group wants an easy-to-adjust walk rather than a committed hike: turn around when you are ready, or combine the outing with other downtown stops. Although much of the experience is on developed surfaces, anyone using a wheelchair, walker, or stroller should check the specific access point and any posted detours rather than assume every connection is equally convenient.

The Capitol Lake area offers another familiar Olympia walking setting, with open views toward the Capitol Campus and routes around portions of the shoreline. Because the Deschutes Estuary restoration project may affect access over time, check current official project and park notices before planning a particular circuit. Avoid relying on an older map that suggests every segment remains open. When visiting either waterfront area, bring a wind-resistant layer and allow time to find legal parking. An exposed walk can feel quite different from a sheltered forest trail on the same afternoon.

Longer Walks and Bike Rides: The Chehalis Western Trail

For an outing measured in whatever distance you choose, the Chehalis Western Trail is one of Thurston County’s most useful options. This paved former railroad corridor serves the broader Olympia–Lacey area and continues into more rural surroundings. Its generally gentle grades appeal to walkers, runners, and cyclists who prefer a steady route over a hilly forest loop. An out-and-back approach keeps planning simple: choose a public trailhead, travel for a comfortable amount of time, and return the same way. Check the county trail map for access points, parking, and connections.

The Woodland Trail is also worth investigating for trips within the Olympia–Lacey urban area and connections to the regional trail network. These corridors can support exercise and some everyday travel, but a nearby line on a map does not automatically mean a convenient entrance from a particular home. Road crossings, traffic exposure, and the route to the trailhead all matter. On shared paths, keep dogs close, leave room for passing, and signal before overtaking others. Carry water and plan restroom stops rather than assuming facilities will appear at regular intervals.

Beyond Olympia: Tumwater Falls and Nisqually Wildlife Viewing

Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls brings the Deschutes River into focus, with waterfalls, river views, and walking paths in neighboring Tumwater. It is a useful change of pace when you want moving water and a relatively compact destination instead of a long trail day. Do not confuse it with nearby Tumwater Historical Park; they are separate places with different access arrangements. Check the park operator’s current hours and notices before visiting, and expect some grades and potentially slick surfaces. Stay behind barriers and supervise children closely around the river.

For a more expansive landscape, head northeast of Olympia toward Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Wetland trails and the estuary boardwalk offer opportunities to watch birds and experience the transition between freshwater and tidal habitat. This is an exposed outing, so rain protection, sun protection, and binoculars can all earn their place in your bag. Wildlife sightings vary with season, weather, and tide; treat them as a possibility rather than a promise. Check U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service information for current fees, hours, trail availability, and pet restrictions before departing.

Make Park Access Part of Your Home Search

When comparing homes in Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater, test the outdoor routine rather than just measuring distance to a park boundary. Visit the actual entrance you would use. Look for sidewalks, crossings, lighting, bike access, and the effort involved in getting everyone out the door. A park that appears close may require a drive, while a modest neighborhood green space may become your most-used destination. If practical, try the trip at the time you would normally go, whether that is before work, after school, or on a weekend morning.

Build a small rotation: one short local walk, one sheltered forest option, and one longer trail outing. During wetter months, allow for muddy sections and earlier darkness; after strong winds, check closure notices before entering wooded parks. Keep a spare layer and practical footwear handy, and follow posted rules for dogs and trail use. PNW Homes Group can help you consider these everyday preferences alongside the home itself. The goal is not simply to live near attractive scenery, but to choose a location that makes getting outside realistic.

Frequently asked questions