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Bridle Trails State Park
Seattle equestrians love this forested park near the city. Bridle Trails State Park, located between Kirkland and Redmond, offers extensive horse trails and a horse-friendly culture. Sometimes called "the wilderness in the city," Bridle Trails is a popular getaway for Seattle and Eastside residents.
Sporting four arenas and a calendar full of horse shows and organized rides, Bridle Trails caters primarily to equines and friends, but the park is also friendly to hikers, including those with leashed dogs. In addition to horse-related events, Bridle Trails hosts a plethora of arts, stewardship and educational programs, evening musical shows and the Bridle Trails' Foundation's annual community party. This accessible urban oasis spells fun for the whole family, including family members with four legs and a tail.
Park features
Bridle Trails State Park is a 489-acre day-use park with 28 miles of trails that welcomes equestrians, hikers and visitors. It does not offer bike trails or camping. The park is known as one of the top equestrian parks west of the Mississippi; it does not, however, offer horse rentals.
Please note: Staff at Bridle Trails State Park remind you that dogs are welcome in state parks if they are on leash and under control at all times. We want to provide safety, comfort and enjoyment for all visitors and ensure the protection of wildlife and natural resources in the park. Please keep your dog on leash, and pick up after your pet.
ADA amenities/facilities
- Restroom
Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities.
Picnic & day-use facilities 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.
Activities
Trails
- 28 miles of hiking and horse trails
Interpretive opportunities
The park features a 1.6-mile-long self-guided interpretive trail. Park staff offer programs for local schools, and guided interpretive walks are offered throughout the year on a variety of topics. Special requests are accommodated when possible.
Services & supplies
Surrounding area
- Auto repair
- Gasoline
- Groceries
- Hardware
- Overnight accommodations
- Pay phone
- Postal service
- There are 28 miles of well-maintained trails suitable for recreational horseback riding, walking, jogging, nature observing and general spiritual renewal.
- On-leash dogs are welcome.
- Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed.
- Horses always have the right-of-way on trails.
- There is no horse rental concession.
- Printable park brochure (PDF).
Historical information
Bridle Trails State Park lies within the accustomed territories of multiple Native American tribes. The area that includes the parklands is most closely associated with Duwamish bands of Washington's Southern Coast Salish subdivision.
The lands now comprising the park were among 640 acres reserved as School Grant patent land under the 1853 Organic Act of Washington Territory. 482 acres of these lands remain in public ownership today.
Initial park development dates to 1933 when Civil Works Administration employees and federal relief workers were employed in state parks as part of the New Deal program. Work included burning logging debris, clearing brush and building trails and fences.
Local advocacy led to the establishment of Bridle Trails as a state park in 1932. In 1945, park proponents organized the Lake Washington Saddle Club. For many years the group actively helped manage the park and partnered with the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to develop and construct new facilities.