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.
Campsite Information:
The park has no camping.
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.
Park Winter Schedule
| Campground Closes |
| Campground Reopens |
| Day-Use Closes |
| Day-Use Reopens |
| Watercraft Launch Closes |
| Watercraft Launch Reopens | |
| None |
| None |
| Open |
| Open |
| None |
| None |
|
Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks
Driving Directions
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 .
Park Maps
List of all downloadable Washington State Park
maps.
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
Full list of
events at Washington State Parks
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. | | |
|
Park photo gallery
We'll be adding photos to this page soon.