BRIDLE TRAILS STATE PARK
Bridle Trails State Park, a 489-acre day-use park, is well-known for its horse trails and equestrian shows. The forested park is on the northeast edge of the Seattle metropolitan area. Sometimes called the wilderness in the city, this park is a popular getaway destination for Seattle residents. The park is known for its riding trails and summer weekend horse shows.
There are 28 miles of well-maintained trails suitable for recreational horseback riding, walking, jogging, nature observing and general spiritual renewal.
The park is a lowland forest, typical of the vegetation which once covered Puget Sound. The woods abound in Douglas-fir and western hemlock, with some western red cedar, big-leaf maple, and alder mixed in.
The park has been under state ownership since the 1880s. By the 1930s, the area was popular as a place for horseback riding, and a trail system had been developed by community riding enthusiasts. Concerned about protecting the land, citizens petitioned the state legislature to make Bridle Trails a state park. The petition was granted, and today local groups, especially those with equestrian interests, work hard to maintain and improve the facility.
The park's two largest horse shows are "C" rated hunter-jumper shows, one the third weekend in May and the other the fourth weekend in June.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
Bridle Trails State Park is located near Bellevue, Bothell and Edmonds
The park has a small picnic area near the show arenas. The picnic area features tables, barbeques, water and a restroom. On show weekends, the picnic area is very busy.
Horseback riding and horse shows are the two activities most common in the park. Horse trails double as hiking trails, though horses have the right of way. Joggers are asked to "speak up" when overtaking horses on trails. Horses must not be left unattended. The park does not provide a horse rental concession.
Birdwatchers can spot species like Pileated Woodpeckers, Barred Owls and Red-tailed Hawks. Other common birds include Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin and Dark-eyed Junco. The park's dense forest provides a habitat for various songbirds too.
Trails
? 28 mi. Hiking Trails
? 28 mi. Horse Trails
Horseback riding and horse shows are the two activities most common in the park. Horse trails double as hiking trails, though horses have the right of way. Joggers are asked to "speak up" when overtaking horses on trails. Horses must not be left unattended. The park does not provide a horse rental concession.
Located on the outskirts of Bellevue, Wash., a few miles northeast of Seattle, Wash. in King County.
Northbound:Take exit #17 off of I-405. At end of off-ramp, turn right and head south on 116th Ave. NE. At four-way stop, continue straight ahead. The park entrance is located at the first opening in the trees on the left.
Southbound:Take exit #17 off of I-405. At end of off-ramp, turn right and cross over freeway. At the first light, turn right again. Head south on 116th Ave. NE. At the four-way stop, continue straight ahead. The park entrance is located at the first opening in the trees on your left .
While a few of the trails are gravelled, many are not and a barefoot hike through the forest is delightful. It is often quite muddy, so there is a faucet by the entrance for cleaning up muddy feet.
the trails get a bit muddy in rain season and bring your old running shoes because of the horse manure. But this gem is so close to my office in Redmond, I run here about 8 months a year, when the days are long enough to run before 730 and after 530. 
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