Moss Lake

Moss Lake Natural Area is extremely valuable from an ecological standpoint. The lake and associated bog and wetland comprise a rare habitat in King County, and the relatively unaltered nature of the area make the site a unique resource.

In addition, the surrounding upland forest provides valuable wildlife habitat for several King County “species of concern,” including bald eagle, Vaux’s swift, red-tailed hawk, pileated woodpecker, band-tailed pigeon, western toad and Beller’s ground beetle.

The trail heads a short distance from the parking lot to a natural art installation, “Axelilia,” that was created in 2001 by Chuck Greening and incorporates native plants and a viewing berm with stone benches provided for the quiet contemplation of nature. Here visitors will find a gravel path to the water, where they can take in spectacular views of the lake and surrounding wetlands, or even launch a canoe to further explore the park.

The trail continues southeast past the lake through a conifer forest and into more open areas of alder and cottonwood, eventually climbing back northeast of the lake where it ends at private forest land.

Moss lake Natural Area is open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. There is also a gravel access path to the lake where users can launch small non-motorized boats. The park is popular for bird watching and nature
observation.

Moss Lake Natural Area is located five miles southeast of Duvall, 3.5 miles northeast of Carnation, and one mile east of Lake Joy in the Cascade foothills. The site comprises 372 acres of high-quality wetland and forested upland habitats. An extensive 150-acre wetland complex encompasses a large sphagnum bog and also features beaver dams and includes a 6.5-acre cattail and spirea-fringed lake.

Moss Lake was acquired in three phases from 1990-2002, with the initial 275-acres purchase representing the first major acquisition under the 1989 Open Space Bond approved by King County voters.