Cedar Creek Park

Revised 9/20/2021

King County's Cedar Creek Park is located between the towns of Covington and Maple Valley. Within the 119 acre park is a lush and mature forest with a multi-storied canopy and trees that are as much as 70 years old. In recent years, a extensive trail network has been developed within the park that provides several loop hike possibilities.

Frequent bus service from Kent to the Timberlane neighborhood makes access relatively easy.

Peaceful trail in Cedar Creek Park

Getting There

From downtown Seattle, ride Metro 150 or the Sounder train to Kent Station.

At Kent Station, transfer to Metro 168. Ride to the bus stop at Timberlane Way and 267th Street.

The Hike

Bus access to Cedar Creek Park takes a bit of walking, but my suggested route avoids busy streets and is reasonably pleasant. From the bus stop, walk east on 267th Street along a sidewalk. The under-maintained sidewalk is cracked and root-damaged, but nevertheless provides a welcome walking route a bit separated from traffic. Would that more suburbs provide amenities such as this! The road makes a number of mysterious name changes (from 194th to 262nd to 199th), but just keep following what looks like the main road. In about a half mile, the road turns north and becomes 199th Ave SE. Next to the road is a a grass-covered pipeline right-of-way.

Timberlane gas line right-of-way. Walk on this trail to get to Cedar Creek Park.

Soon the road diverges left; climb over a gate and continue hiking north on the grassy pipeline right-of-way. Follow the right-of-way down a steep hill, much abused by dirt-bike riders. At the bottom of the hill is a fenced-in enclosure with some huge valves and pipes. Walk beyond the enclosure about 200 yards, then turn right onto a side trail heading into the woods. This trail (or old road) heads through a lush forest; side trails branch left and right, inviting exploration. An increasing number of signs have been added to mark the trails, but you will need a map to find your way around. Plain old Google Maps on your smart phone shows most of the trails.

At the east end of the park, a trail leads you to a trailhead and small parking area on SE 253rd Street, a short dead-end lane. Here, return the way you came to the Timberlane Way bus stop. If you are hiking on a weekday, another option is to walk to Lake Wilderness Park and bus stops on SR 169. Walk east on neighborhood streets to Witte Road, then north on Witte to the big traffic circle at SE 248th Street. Walk east on SE 248 to Lake Wilderness Park and Arboretum. Explore to your heart's delight, then walk to SR 169 and catch a bus back to Renton. See the chapter on Lake Wilderness Park for more information.

Getting Back

Return to Timberlane Way and 267th Street, and ride Metro 168 back to Kent Station. Metro 150 or the Sounder train will return you to Seattle.