Photo by Bruce LivingstonDiscover a Capitol Land Trust public access preserve—where curiosity blooms and connections to nature grow. Whether you’re spotting salmon in the fall, listening for bird song in the spring, or simply enjoying time outside with loved ones, our public access preserve are designed to inspire discovery, care, and lasting memories.
Parking is free. Plan to pack out all garbage. Learn more below!
Witness the transformation from golf course to nature preserve at Bayshore Preserve! Visitors are welcome to come and enjoy views of Johns Creek and Oakland Bay while witnessing Bayshore Preserve’s transformation from golf course to nature preserve. Long-term plans for the preserve include more accessible trails and viewing platforms to support environmental education programming already taking place here.
Fishing is not allowed on the property, but Capitol Land Trust does provide access via a trail to public land for fishing at the mouth of Johns Creek – see maps on kiosk for directions.
Guidelines:
Open from dawn till dusk.
Keep pets on leash and dispose of waste properly.
No hunting or fishing, boat launching, fires/fireworks, camping or biking.
No removal of vegetation or mushrooms.
Avoid walking in active restoration areas – stay on existing trails.
Location:
3800 WA-3, Shelton, WA 98584. Free parking to the right of the gate facing a wood and metal mesh fence as well as along the concrete blocks to the left of the fence. Alternative parking is available at the WDFW parking lot to the north of Bayshore Preserve with a Discover Pass. Please do not block the metal gate at the main entrance.
Transit Options:
Mason County’s free Dial-A-Ride service. Mason County Transit Route 1. There is no marked bus stop at the preserve, so let the driver know when you plan to get off.
Bathroom Information:
There is an ADA-compliant portable toilet with hand sanitizer.
Trail Information:
Bayshore Preserve Trail Map
Self-guided interpretive Google map
Bayshore Preserve photo monitoring project
The trail system is about 1.5 miles total. The Main Loop Trail is mostly flat and a mixture of dirt and gravel. Most of this trail was used as a road in the past. The Lookout Trail goes down a short hill and across a wide bridge crossing Johns Creek. From there, it heads up a short but steeper hill to a relatively flat trail. Johns Creek Trail is a narrow dirt footpath and has several smaller hills, especially when it meets the Main Loop Trail on the south side of the trail. The Johns Creek Estuary Trail is a dirt path with a dip about halfway down. It can get muddy and wet along this trail, especially during high tide. The Shoreline Overlook Trail is a dirt trail that is relatively flat, but dips slightly towards the water.
Darlin Creek Preserve protects 312 acres near Delphi Valley. Within its boundaries are more than 200 acres of recovering forest, 70 acres of diverse wetland habitat, Lake Lucinda, and important wildlife habitat for state and federally listed species. The Preserve also contains more than 2 miles of fish-bearing tributaries to the Black River: Darlin, Dempsey, and Pants Creeks. Please note that this preserve is at the end of a private neighborhood. Please drive slowly through the neighborhood on your way to the preserve.
Guidelines:
Open from dawn till dusk.
Keep pets on leash and dispose of waste properly.
No hunting, fires, fireworks, camping or motorized vehicles.
No removal of vegetation or mushrooms.
Stay on designated trails.
Location:
8910 Lake Lucinda Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98512. Free parking is available at the site.
Bathroom Information:
There is a portable toilet with hand sanitizer.
Notice:
Cell reception can be limited.
Trail Information:
Darlin Creek Preserve Trail Map
The trails are a mixture between dirt, gravel, and old roadbed.
Lake Loop Trail is 1.3 miles long. Heading south from the parking area and following the trail clockwise (see map), the trail follows a level old logging road until the trail splits off from the Wetland Forest Loop Trail, heading southwest (to the right). The trail gently slopes downhill to a narrow footbridge before leveling out again. It gains elevation when it meets back up with Wetland Forest Loop Trail on the west side of the preserve. Continue right to complete the loop along a flat old railroad grade (can be muddy in spots). The trail splits from the railroad grade to head east to Lake Lucinda (to the right). The trail is narrow and slightly downhill to the lake, and then runs across the level top of the earthen dam, and then has a gradual incline back to the parking lot. There is one bench on the west side of this trail.
Wetland Forest Loop Trail is about 2 miles long. Heading clockwise from the parking area, the trail is flat until a slight decline in elevation to a large bridge crossing Darlin Creek. cross the bridge near the Beaver Pond. Check out the flat spur trail just after the bridge for a look at a beaver dam and the pond behind it! After the bridge, the trail increases in elevation and follows an old logging road, with uphill and downhill sections and some uneven footing. At the end of the old logging road, the trail bends north to cross a footbridge (look for the nearby beaver dam!) and connect with an old railroad grade. The railroad grade is very level but may be muddy in spots. After a short distance, the trail reconnects with the Lake Loop Trail and passes by Lake Lucinda (see above description). There are three benches along the Wetland Forest Loop Trail, one at the Beaver Pond, one at the South Beaver Pond, and one along the western portion of the Lake Loop Trail.
The Piedra Trail is about 1 mile long and varies in elevation changes. It is a narrow, mostly dirt path. It ends on Piedra Drive. There is no parking along Piedra Drive, please park in the designated parking lot.
Hilburn Preserve protects 10 acres of forested land west of Shelton, adjacent to Goldsborough Creek, and just below the old Goldsborough Dam site. The Goldsborough Dam was removed in 2001, opening 25 miles of stream channel to fish access. Plan a visit to Hilburn Preserve today!
Guidelines:
Open from dawn till dusk.
Keep pets on leash and dispose of waste properly.
No hunting or fishing, boat launching, fires/fireworks, camping or biking.
No removal of vegetation or mushrooms.
Stay on designated trails.
Location:
W Hulbert Road Shelton, WA 98584. Free parking is available at the site.
Bathroom Information:
There is no bathroom at Hilburn Preserve.
Trail Information:
Hilburn Preserve Trail Map
The trail is approximately 0.5 miles and varies between mulch, dirt, and gravel. The trail starts relatively flat, but has several small sets of steps to help visitors navigate the elevation changes. There are three benches along the trail closest to Goldsborough Creek.
Looking for a short stop on the outskirts of Olympia? Stop by Randall Preserve—seven acres of transformed wildlife habitat. Plan a visit to Randall Preserve to stretch the legs, enjoy the scenery and wildlife!
Guidelines:
Open from dawn till dusk.
Keep pets on leash and dispose of waste properly.
No hunting or fishing, boat launching, fires/fireworks, camping or biking.
No removal of vegetation or mushrooms.
Stay on designated trails.
Location:
4939 Mud Bay Road NW, Olympia, WA 98502. Free parking is available at the site.
Transit Options:
Grays Harbor Transit route 40. Mason County Transit route 6.
Bathroom Information:
There is no bathroom at Randall Preserve.
Trail Information:
Interpretive Trail at Randall Preserve Map
The approximate trail distance is 560 feet / 0.1 miles. The Interpretive Trail is a flat trail covered in bark mulch and is flat. There is a bench at the viewpoint.
