In Thurston County, the range of nature experiences stretches from saltwater beaches and waterfront trails to old-growth forests and quiet nature preserves. Paved multi-use trails, viewpoints, and historic sites are also part of the mix. This gives you different ways to get to know the landscape: on foot along a trail, looking out over a wetland, or visiting a place that puts the region’s history front and center.
Beaches, Nature Preserves, and Expansive Views
Burfoot Park combines beach and nature trails across 65 acres. On Budd Inlet, the park has 1,100 feet of saltwater shoreline, along with nature trails and beach access. These figures describe two different aspects of the park: its area and the length of its shoreline. Parks in Thurston County also feature waterfront trails, hiking paths through old-growth forests, and quiet nature preserves.
At Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, four miles of trails pass through diverse habitats. From there, you can see native plants and wildlife, including amphibians and mammals. An elevated boardwalk offers views over salt marshes, mudflats, and a tidal river. The routes follow accessible boardwalks and gravel paths; the refuge is right next to Interstate 5.
Deschutes Falls Park also offers a well-defined viewpoint: a railing-equipped observation platform can be reached from the parking lot via a trail about a quarter mile long. Check the latest visitor information before your visit. Black River-Mima Prairie Glacial Heritage Preserve, also known as Glacial Heritage, offers another way to read the landscape. It preserves a landscape that shows what the land in the Puget Sound region looked like when settlers arrived in the 19th century.
Trails of Varying Lengths
Two trails are especially well documented for comparing longer paved routes: the Chehalis Western Trail is 22 miles long and designed for cycling, running, and walking. There is also an unpaved equestrian trail. The trail also provides access to 170 acres of parks in diverse ecosystems. The paved Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail is 14.5 miles long and runs east to west through the southern part of Thurston County.
The Ralph Munro Trail adds another paved multi-use route for walking, cycling, and running. A shorter option is Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls: the 15-acre park has half a mile of walking trails. Along these trails are cascades, quiet reflecting pools, large rocks, and footbridges. Capitol State Forest offers a different scale. It covers 110,000 acres, lies in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties, and is both a popular recreation area and a timber-production forest.
Cultural Sites and Regional Discoveries
During tours of the Legislative Building, you’ll see legislators’ offices, impressive architecture, a Tiffany chandelier, and paintings. The free tours typically last about 50 minutes; check the latest tour information before your visit. At the Olympic Flight Museum, aviation history ranges from World War II trainers to jet interceptors, fighter planes, and helicopters. The museum also hosts the annual Olympic Air Show.
Bigelow House offers a glimpse of residential architecture from the 1850s. The house was built in the Carpenter Gothic style. At Tenino Depot Museum, by contrast, the focus is a sandstone building constructed in 1914 as a Northern Pacific depot. Museum exhibits include a printing press used for historic wooden money, tools from logging and quarrying operations, railroad memorabilia, and local artifacts. The two places bring history to life in different ways: one through the architecture of a residence, the other through a former railroad station and its collections.
The Thurston Bountiful Byway is a 60-mile loop featuring agritourism, scenic experiences, and recreational activities. Along the byway are more than 50 recommended agricultural, ecological, and cultural stops. Thurston County’s farmers markets offer a fitting complement, with seasonal produce, ingredients, crafts, and other handmade goods. Together, nature, culture, and agriculture offer different facets of a stay.
Discover more destinations: Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, Rainier, Walla Walla, Clark, Grant County, Grays Harbor County.
See the main travel overview: Washington.
