ADA-Accessible Recreation in the Mountains to Sound Greenway 

Itinerary

1. Lake Sammamish State Park

   Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah is not only a beautiful place to see riparian habitats in action, it is also a place with many ADA-accessible opportunities that range from kayaking to biking. Outdoors for All runs day-camps at Lake Sammamish State Park during the spring and summer, offering kayaking and paddleboarding for anyone interested in paddling into the large lake at the park. Their Adaptive Cycling Center at Sunset Beach offers free bikes on Saturdays and Sundays for bikers with disabilities to enjoy the 1.5 miles of trails in the park with access to other bike trails in the area.

   

2. McCormick Park

   McCormick Park in Duvall offers a variety of ADA-accessible recreation, including trails and picnic areas. It’s an ideal spot for families, with its open spaces and accessible pathways that invite leisurely strolls or rolls, and outdoor play. The park’s riverside setting provides a tranquil backdrop for a relaxing day out. 

   

3. Mine Creek Day Use Area

   The site features low-impact hiking trails, picnicking opportunities, and kayaking access to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River.  

   The trails include a 0.4-mile barrier-free, five-foot-wide packed gravel trail loop and a 0.3-mile barrier free, three-foot wide packed gravel trail that meander through a now revegetated former campground with several new picnic areas at riverbank access locations to explore. 

   The site is in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area, a conservation landscape that protects wildlife habitat, scenic views, and the river’s upper reaches while offering low-impact recreation on various hiking trails. 

   The forest consists of low-elevation forest of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) with red alder (Alnus rubra) and big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) common along streams and rivers.  

   The Mine Creek Day Use Area was refurbished by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust in 2023 through 2024. 

   

4. Russian Butte View

   This is small day-use area with access to the Snoqualmie River and views of Russian Butte is also located within the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area. The site includes a short barrier-free, three-foot wide packed gravel trail to a secluded spot for views, picnicking and kayaking.  

   The site is in similar forest conditions to those at Mine Creek and has spectacular views of the scenic area’s rugged landscape. 

   The Russian Butte View Day Use Area was refurbished by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust in 2022. 

   

5. Middle Fork Trailhead

   Located at the confluence of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Taylor Rivers within Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, this trailhead provides access to several short-distance barrier free trails.  

   In 2024, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust partnered with the US Forest Service to upgrade and expand picnicking and river viewing opportunities, adding a four-foot wide, barrier free gravel-surfaced trail to an additional viewpoint on the Taylor River. 

   Visitors can explore several options, from visiting view and picnic sites that are located in a stand of old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar, viewing the Middle Fork River from the iconic arched pedestrian bridge, or following the 0.4-mile Snoqualmie Connector Trail (not barrier free at the east end) as an out and back trip. 

   

6. Camp Brown Day Use Area

   Camp Brown Day Use Area is perfect for a day trip with family or friends. The facilities here include ADA-accessible picnic tables and restrooms, ensuring that everyone can comfortably enjoy their visit. The area is well-suited for picnicking, making it a convenient spot for those looking for a quick escape into nature and the perfect place to see the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. The Greenway Trust designed and built the Camp Brown Trail in partnership with the US Forest Service, Northwest Trails, and McClung Construction from 2019-2020.   

   

7. Gold Creek Pond

   Gold Creek Pond is widely cherished, and for good reason. The 1.2-mile loop trail is fully ADA-accessible and offers breathtaking vistas of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. While the paved section is wheelchair and stroller-friendly, the boardwalk is currently deteriorating, and the pond has posed some issues for the endangered bull trout. The picturesque pond at Gold Creek Pond was originally a gravel dig site for the Sunset Highway and I-90 construction, altering the area’s hydrology. Fortunately, the Forest Service is working on a comprehensive restoration project, slated for 2025, to enhance stream flows and revamp the trail for better wheelchair accessibility. During this time, the existing boardwalk will be dismantled, and the paved path will be closed temporarily.  The Greenway Trust and various recreational and conservation organizations are devising a new ADA-compliant system to be implemented post-restoration.   

   

8. Hyak Sno-Park

   Hyak Sno-Park is very popular for family sledding, snowshoeing, and for cross-country skiers who want to start on the north end of the Palouse to Cascades trail that follows the length of Keechelus Lake. It has a wheelchair-accessible restroom with ample room to change and electric heaters to keep off the chill. The handicapped parking is at the south end of the lot and it backs up to the snow for easy access for both para-Nordic skiers and people using Nordic ski walkers. Outdoors for All offers affordable equipment rentals for participants to enjoy the outdoors during the winter. Head to their site to make an appointment for a rental.

   

9. Crystal Springs

   Crystal Springs is the Sno-Park with something for everyone from snowmobiling to cross-country skiing to ski-joring with dogs including winter ADA-accessible recreation. As of winter 2023, it now offers handicapped access for para-Nordic skiers (sit skiers) at the entrance to Parking Lot 4. Skiers can park at designated handicapped signs, access the ADA toilet, and slide onto a spur trail designed to take them to the Palouse to Cascades trail where they can continue north or south, or go to the Erling Stordahl trails via access at the Forest Loop. The trail to the Palouse to Cascades is also used by skiers with dogs and is not tracked.  A Sno-Park pass and a special grooming sticker is required. Click here to learn more about how to get these recreation passes. 

   

10. Picnic Shelter at Salmon La Sac Campground

    The historic picnic shelter at Salmon La Sac Campground is not only ADA-accessible but also steeped in history. Visitors can enjoy a meal in a rustic setting while taking in the natural beauty of the surrounding forest. The shelter and nearby facilities ensure that all visitors can comfortably access this scenic area. 

    

11. Teanaway Campground

    The Teanaway Camping Area is a fantastic destination for those looking to spend a night under the stars. The campsite supports ADA-accessible recreation with toilets and picnic tables, making it easier for everyone to enjoy camping. The area is known for its stunning landscapes and clear skies, perfect for stargazing and outdoor adventures.