3 State Parks Near Burien That Are Worth the Trip

Several amazing state parks are just a short drive from Burien, Washington. Washington state’s unique natural environments provide an awe-inspiring journey into landscapes that seem like they could only be found in movies. Instead, they’re actually a great candidate for a day trip. Let’s look at some of the state parks near Burien that are worth the trip.

1) Tiger Mountain State Forest

This state park consists of over ten thousand acres of natural forest adorned with sky-scraping pines and a forest floor covered with moss and ferns. If you’re looking for outdoor activities and recreation, look no further. This park has access to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and even hang gliding.

There are no designated campsites in the park, and camping outside of designated sites is not permitted. Because of this, the park should be considered for day trips only. Thankfully, it’s only 21 miles outside of Burien. 

Before you go, make sure you check the park’s website, which has up to date information on trail closures and recreational activities. Mountain bike and horseback trails are open seasonally.

2) Squak Mountain State Park

This is yet another amazing park that is just a stone’s throw from Burien. Here, you can hike through dense thickets of ferns, around meandering creeks, and stroll past moss-covered trees. Places like this bring you the most peace when you’ve had a stressful week.

Hiking and horseback riding are the only available activities in the park, but that is no excuse to pass it up. Some of the trails take you to the summit of Squak Mountain, where you can take in views of the Seattle skyline. Another trail will take you to the remains of a 1952 stone fireplace. Much like Tiger Mountain State Forest, Squak Mountain State Park is only open during daylight hours.

3) Saltwater State Park

If woodland adventures aren’t up your alley, you should consider Saltwater State Park as an alternate attraction. Getting there is a breeze, as it’s just a seven-mile drive down the coast. The beach is a popular spot in the summer, so don’t expect to find the driftwood-laden coastline unoccupied. Don’t let crowds deter you though. Saltwater State Park has a handful of exciting and unique opportunities for adventure.

This park does have a campground where visitors can enjoy a night outdoors. The location also offers several tidal pools for exploring. There is also a man-made reef where divers can explore underwater wildlife in a one-of-a-kind experience. It should be noted that harvesting from the reef is prohibited. However, you can do some saltwater fishing in other areas of the park.

Planning Your Trip

Before heading out into the great outdoors, it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared. Here are a couple tips to make sure you stay safe when visiting these parks.

If you plan on doing any hiking, make sure you have the most up-to-date trail map, just in case you get lost. You should also let someone know where you’ll be going, and when you should be returning. Lastly, bring a first-aid kit along for any unplanned injuries.

The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy some time in all of the state parks close to Burien, Washington. They’re worth the trip!

Image via Andrew E. Larsen | Licensed by CC BY-ND 2.0

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