Bridle Trails: Overview
Park overview:
Bridle Trails State Park, a 482-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.Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
The park is open year-round for day use only.
Current alerts:
There have been reports of barred owls behaving aggressively at Bridle Trails State Park. The owls appear to be attracted to moving objects such as mp3 player cables or long hair. Visitors are recommended to wave arms slowly and make noise to avoid an encounter if an owl is sighted. Staff will continue to monitor the situation and are working with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on solutions.
Please report any encounters (including the trail location) to the park ranger. If a ranger is unavailable, please leave a note in the pay station with details and contact information.
The barred owl is a medium owl with brown eyes and no ear-tufts. For more information about owls in Washington state, visit the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
Please report any encounters (including the trail location) to the park ranger. If a ranger is unavailable, please leave a note in the pay station with details and contact information.
The barred owl is a medium owl with brown eyes and no ear-tufts. For more information about owls in Washington state, visit the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
The park has no camping.Park Features
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.
History
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.
Interpretive opportunities
There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.Services/Supplies
| Available in the area | |
| • Auto repair • Gasoline • Groceries • Hardware • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service |
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 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. | ||
Events
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
| Events | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Ongoing | Horse Shows at Bridle Trails: All summer long, the Lake Washington Saddle Club plays host to a number of different horse shows at Bridle Trails State Park. Watch a variety of different disciplines, including hunter, jumper, dressage and western showmanship. Shows for the 2012 season run from March to September. Admission is free to all shows. A full schedule of shows is available online at www.bridletrails.org. For more information about the Lake Washington Saddle Club, visit www.lakewashingtonsaddleclub.org. |
Bridle Trails (425) 649-4276 |
| March 23 | Bridle Trails Open House Gala: Celebrate the 100th birthday of Washington State Parks at a gala open house in Bridle Trails State Park. More information will be available closer to the event. Presented in partnership with the Bridle Trails Park Foundation. |
Bridle Trails (425) 417-7871 |
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park provides 30 picnic tables, two stoves, four braziers, water and a restroom. Picnic sites are first come, first served.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| 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. |
