Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Quick Facts
- Location
- USA, Seattle
- Category
- Sightseeing
- Duration
- 3-5 hours; full day with extended hiking
- Opening Hours
- Daily Dawn to dusk · Published at kingcounty.gov on 5 November 2026: open daily from dawn to dusk. Trails close at night and entry is prohibited after dusk; the park is free year-round with no entrance fee or Discover Pass. Trailheads include Red Town, Sky Country, Harvey Manning and Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak, reached via I-90.
- Ticket Price
- Free Admission: Free year-round, no entrance fee · King County regional wildland park is free all year with no entrance fee and free parking (no Discover Pass required). Checked 5 November 2026 at kingcounty.gov.
- Address
- 18201 Southeast Cougar Mountain Drive, Renton, WA 98059, United States
- Coordinates
- 47.5280, -122.1038
Introduction
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is the most expansive wilderness preserve in Seattle's eastern suburbs, spanning about 3,000 acres with over 36 miles of winding trails, a rare destination for deep hiking near a major Pacific Northwest city. Centered on 480-meter Cougar Mountain, named for cougars that roamed here in the 1800s, the park still hosts black-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes and various raptors though large cats are now rare. Trails pass through dense old-growth Douglas fir and western hemlock forest, past abandoned 19th-century coal mine sites and anti-aircraft missile base ruins, weaving natural ecology with Cold War history. The summit offers views of Lake Washington, Bellevue skyline and distant Mount Rainier, making it Seattle residents' favorite weekend escape into wilderness.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Opening Hours
| Monday | Dawn to dusk |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Dawn to dusk |
| Wednesday | Dawn to dusk |
| Thursday | Dawn to dusk |
| Friday | Dawn to dusk |
| Saturday | Dawn to dusk |
| Sunday | Dawn to dusk |
Published at kingcounty.gov on 5 November 2026: open daily from dawn to dusk. Trails close at night and entry is prohibited after dusk; the park is free year-round with no entrance fee or Discover Pass. Trailheads include Red Town, Sky Country, Harvey Manning and Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak, reached via I-90.
Ticket Information
| Free Admission | Free year-round, no entrance fee |
|---|
King County regional wildland park is free all year with no entrance fee and free parking (no Discover Pass required). Checked 5 November 2026 at kingcounty.gov.
💡 Tips
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park?
Monday: Dawn to dusk; Tuesday: Dawn to dusk; Wednesday: Dawn to dusk; Thursday: Dawn to dusk; Friday: Dawn to dusk; Saturday: Dawn to dusk; Sunday: Dawn to dusk; Published at kingcounty.gov on 5 November 2026: open daily from dawn to dusk. Trails close at night and entry is prohibited after dusk; the park is free year-round with no entrance fee or Discover Pass. Trailheads include Red Town, Sky Country, Harvey Manning and Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak, reached via I-90.
How much is the admission for Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park?
Free Admission: Free year-round, no entrance fee; King County regional wildland park is free all year with no entrance fee and free parking (no Discover Pass required). Checked 5 November 2026 at kingcounty.gov.
Any practical tips for visiting Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park?
Trailhead Direct app offers real-time trail maps and navigation Trails are muddy and slippery in rainy season; wear waterproof boots
How long should I spend at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park?
A typical visit takes 3-5 hours; full day with extended hiking.
