Trails and Nature Viewing

Taidnapam Park

• A gorgeous setting amid tall trees and native plants such as Oregon grape, salal, red flowering current, sword fern, alder and Western red cedar.
• Wildlife viewing, including bald eagle and osprey.

How to Get There

Taidnapam Park is about 110 miles south of Tacoma in Lewis County, near the town of Morton. From Tacoma, take I-5 south to Highway 12 East (Exit 68). Drive east for approximately 37 miles (5 miles past Morton). Turn right on Kosmos Road, then left onto Champion Haul Road. Drive approximately 4 miles to the park entrance.

An alternate route from Tacoma is to take Highway 7 south to the town of Morton. At Morton turn left on to Highway 12. Continue on Highway 12 to Kosmos Road; turn right and continue as above.

Cowlitz Wildlife Area

Wildlife Watching

Almost all of the shoreline and the highlands visible on the north side of Riffe Lake are part of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area. Tacoma Power created this special area, which is managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, to mitigate habitat losses created by the formation of Riffe and Mayfield lakes. The Cowlitz Wildlife Area features nearly 14,000 acres of high-quality wildlife habitat, and ample opportunities to view birds, deer, elk and other forms of wildlife in their natural habitat.

Bald eagles and osprey nest in trees along the shoreline, and wood ducks nest in wooden boxes attached to shoreline trees.

Whether putting up nesting boxes for birds or controlling undesirable vegetation, Tacoma Power and the state put a great amount of effort into assisting a healthy wildlife habitat. Some of the sensitive animal species protected in this area are bald eagle, great blue heron, pileated woodpecker and osprey. Sensitive plant species such as fringed pinesap and small-flowered trillium are protected here as well.

Whether fishing, hunting, watching wildlife or just taking a nature walk, please enjoy the wildlife area and help us protect our natural resources.

Swofford Pond

If you like hiking and watching birds and wildlife in a serene and relaxing atmosphere, Swofford Pond is the place to visit. Swofford Pond is approximately 4.5 miles east of the town of Mossyrock.  No gasoline boat motors are allowed. The shoreline of the pond is part of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area.

How to Get There

To get there from Mossyrock Park, drive west toward the town of Mossyrock for about one-half mile. Turn left at Swofford Road at the Y, and travel another 1.5 miles in a southeasterly direction. Stay to the left at the second Y. Parking is available in the county parking lot about 300 yards beyond the entrance to the boat launch.

The 1.5-mile Swofford Pond nature trail, part of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area, starts near the boat launch. The trail winds its way around the south side of this pristine pond and passes through a mature forest with beautiful spring wildflowers.

Mornings and evenings are the best times to visit Swofford Pond. Be on the lookout for elk, deer and many different types of birds. Swofford Pond is an especially attractive site for many waterfowl so bird watchers are sure to be delighted.

Riffe Lake

A new 10-mile non-motorized trail will open sometime in 2007 at Peterman Hill, part of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area. The trailhead lies at the end of the Peterman Hill Road about 1 mile south of Highway 12. You'll find parking and a vault toilet at the trailhead. Parts of the trail are new, while other sections of trail are infrequently used forest roads. Watch for black tail deer, squirrels, raccoon and chipmunk in the early evening hours. Barn owls, Canada geese, loons, bald eagles and red tail hawk are also common near the lake.

Mossyrock Park

You and your family can get a little closer to nature by hiking on the two trails that being near Mossyrock Park's primitive group camp area. If you hike or bike the longer trail, you'll travel 4.5 miles round trip through the Cowlitz Wildlife Area. The first mile is ADA accessible; it has a wide, flat gravel surface. There's an ADA-accessible vault toilet and parking near the trailhead. Another half-mile nature trail winds through the forest near Riffe Lake.

How to Get There

Mossyrock Park is about 90 miles south of Tacoma in Lewis County, near the town of Mossyrock. From Tacoma, take I-5 south to Highway 12 East (Exit 68). Drive approximately 21 miles and turn right on Williams Street. Continue several blocks to a "T" intersection in the town of Mossyrock. Turn left onto State Street. State Street becomes Mossyrock Road East, and then Ajlune Road, which leads into the park.

An alternate route from Tacoma is to take Highway 7 south to the town of Morton. At Morton, turn right onto Highway 12. Continue on Highway 12 to Williams Street; turn left and continue as above.

Wynoochee Lake

Wynoochee Lake Shore Trail, a 12-mile-long hiking and mountain bike trail, winds through the forest around the lake. The U.S. Forest Service rebuilt the trail and added a one-mile extension in 2000. The Working Forest Nature Trail, which educates visitors about the forest environment, begins at Loop B at Coho Campground. Information about Forest Service recreation facilities is available from the Hood Canal Ranger District. 

Enjoy your visit!

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