33 votes

Cougar Mountain State Park

18201 Se Cougar Mountain Dr, Issaquah, Washington 98027 USA

Independent

“38 miles of hiking trails!”

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is a regional park in King County, Washington, near the towns of Bellevue and Issaquah. The park was established in June 1983 to protect the central core of Cougar Mountain. With 38 miles (61 km) of hiking trails and 12 miles (19 km) of equestrian trails providing a true wilderness experience on Seattle's very doorstep, the park has grown piecemeal to 3,115 acres (12.61 km2), becoming one of the largest urban wildlands in the United States. Outside the official boundaries of the park are many more miles of trails in city greenbelts or on swaths of private land too steep to patrol for errant hikers, let alone develop. There are four major trailheads within the park. Maps are available at these trailheads, and there are directional signs at major trail intersections. Equestrian access is available at all but the first of these. Bicycles are not allowed on any trails. Wilderness Creek Trailhead (SR 900/Renton-Issaquah Road SE): This small parking area, located on the east side of Cougar Mountain, provides access to the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park trail system via the Wilderness Creek Trail. Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead (SE Cougar Mountain Drive): This area is located close to the top of Cougar Mountain and provides wonderful views to the north (sometimes one can catch a glimpse of Mt. Baker). Many of the wildland park's trails are accessed from this trailhead. Sky Country Trailhead (166th Way SE) is located near the former Nike missile site. Red Town Trailhead (Lakemont Blvd. SE/Newcastle Coal Creek Rd.) provides quick access to many historical mining exhibits in the northwest sector of the park, and also provides access to the adjacent Coal Creek Trail. Among other smaller trailheads which provide on-street parking and access directly or via connecting trails to the park trail system are the following: Newcastle Crosstown Trail Trailhead at SE 85th St near 146th Pl SE in Newcastle Cul de sac at end of 161st Ave SE south of SE Cougar Mountain Way in Bellevue Indian Trail/Licorice Fern Trail crossing of SE Licorice Way above 169th Ave SE on the south side of the park Shangri La Trailhead in the Talus (Issaquah) housing development to the east. Ring Road Trailhead located in the private area above Wilderness Creek Trail

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Reviewed by
FromSea2ShiningSea

395 Reviews
33 Helpful

October 28, 2019

Rated 3.0

The parking lot at Red Town Trailhead was medium to small and pretty full the day we visited in late September. There were a variety of cars there from higher end to basic, so it seems to have a diverse group of people visit. Some visitors had their dogs, so it is dog friendly. This was the first park we stopped at on our trip to Washington. There was green moss growing on some of the trees and some of the trees had knots on them. There was an informational pavilion which had maps, a Mine Hole Safety Notice, and other info. There were a few picnic tables near the pavilion just a short walk from the parking lot. There was also a wildlife warning sign with a picture of a cougar and bear on it. There was a waterfall trail, but one of the hikers we spoke with said he was there the previous week and it was dry so we opted not to take that trail.

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