Spring Lake | Lake Desire | McGarvey
About the Park:
About halfway between Renton and Maple Valley, south of State Route 169, is a large protected natural area consisting of former industrial timber lands brought into King County's inventory of publicly-owned open space over the past thirty years. The largest park in this network of connected forested playgrounds is McGarvey Park Open Space, has 11 miles of multi-use trails within a 400-acre working forest bisected by Bonneville Power Administration power lines and sandwiched between two residential neighborhoods.
Leaving McGarvey Park southwest along the McGarvey West Trail leads to Petrovitsky Park's forested 90-acres and a fun playground for children and families. The McGarvey East Trail cruises through Wetland 14 Natural Area's 40 acres. The east trail continues into Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park, a beautiful 370-acre forested site with a bald rocky outcrop, a peat bog, and three miles of multi-use trails nestled between the two lakes. Hikers can explore the rocky outcrop via the Echo Peak trail up the 900-foot Echo Mountain to catch views of the two lakes and Cascade foothills. Washington Native Plant Society leads seasonal tours throughout the park to observe rare native flora such as Labrador tea and bog laurel.
There is a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife boat ramp for non-motorized vessels on the west bank of Spring Lake.
Partners: Name & Link
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance- Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park
Washington Trails Association - Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park & McGarvey Open Space Park
Park Activities: boat ramp, dog walking, hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, nature observation, parking lot, volunteer
Location: East of Renton near Fairwood. From the Maple Valley Highway, SR-169, or SE Petrovitsky Road, take 196 Ave SE, then SE 183 St to East Spring Lake Dr.
Nearby Bus Stops: 148
Parking:
There are parking areas at the end of West Spring Lake Dr SE and at Maple Valley Heights Park.
For McGarvey Park Open Space: At SW corner of SE 164 St and 188 Ave SE
For Spring Lake /Lake Desire: At the end of East Spring Lake Dr.
Trailheads:
McGarvey Park Open Space: west through Maple Valley Heights Park
Spring Lake/Lake Desire - Rabbit Trail: at end of 190 Ace SE or East Spring Lake Dr.
Spring Lake/Lake Desire - Three Lakes Loop North: at the end of West Spring Lake Drive SE.
Wetland 14 Natural Area: at end of SE 171 Pl
Map:
Spring Lake/Lake Desire/McGarvey Park Map
Spring Lake/Lake Desire/McGarvey Park Mapa en español
Text KING SPRING to 468311 to load the map onto your smartphone.
Park History:
Prior to public ownership, this land was used for coal mining and timber harvest. There are a few legacy trees over 100 years old although there is evidence this area was first clear cut in the late 1800s, the early 19030s, and lastly in the mid 1960s.
The southern and eastern portions of the area are underlain by a network of abandoned coal mines, predominantly the New Black Diamond Mine which was actively worked between 1884 and 1939.
Relevant Links:
May 2011 McGarvey Open Space Forest Stewardship Plan
Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park and McGarvey Park Open Space updates: Click to subscribe to an email newsletter for updates about the park.