Parks & Trails

Parks & Trails in Lewis County, Washington

Looking for a playground, walking trail, picnic spot or just somewhere to get outside?

Lewis County has dozens of public parks, trails and natural areas, from neighborhood playgrounds in Chehalis and Centralia to forested state parks and waterfront recreation areas throughout rural Lewis County.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to take the kids, walk the dog, have a picnic or spend an afternoon exploring, there’s probably a park nearby.


Parks in Chehalis

Recreation Park & Penny Playground

One of Chehalis’ primary recreation destinations, Recreation Park is home to the popular Penny Playground as well as athletic facilities and the seasonal Gail and Carolyn Shaw Aquatics Center. It’s an especially good destination for families with younger children.

Good for: Playground • Kids • Families • Sports • Picnics

Stan Hedwall Park

This large Chehalis park along the Newaukum River is a major local destination for sports and outdoor recreation, with athletic fields and plenty of room to spread out.

Good for: Sports • Walking • Families • Outdoor recreation

Westside Park

A neighborhood park serving Chehalis’ west side, offering an easy place for nearby families to get outside without leaving town.

Good for: Neighborhood recreation • Kids • Families

Chehalis Airport Park

Located near the Chehalis-Centralia Airport, this park provides another convenient public green space in the Twin Cities area.

Good for: Families • Outdoor recreation • Casual outings

Henderson Park

A neighborhood park in Chehalis offering public green space and recreation close to home.

Good for: Kids • Families • Neighborhood recreation

Alexander Park

A longtime Chehalis park along the Chehalis River, Alexander Park offers a peaceful place to enjoy the outdoors close to town.

Good for: Picnics • Families • Riverfront • Relaxing outdoors

McFadden Park & Dobson Trail

McFadden Park and the Dobson Trail offer an opportunity to walk and explore a more natural side of Chehalis.

Good for: Walking • Trails • Nature • Outdoor recreation

Chehalis Industrial Park Area

The Chehalis Industrial Park area includes public spaces and connections that provide additional opportunities for walking and outdoor recreation.

Good for: Walking • Outdoor recreation


Parks & Trails in Centralia

Fort Borst Park

One of Centralia’s largest and best-known parks, Fort Borst Park combines recreation facilities with local history. The sprawling park offers athletic fields, playground and picnic areas, trails and historic features.

Good for: Kids • Playgrounds • Sports • Walking • History • Picnics

Rotary Riverside Park

Located along the Skookumchuck River, Rotary Riverside Park provides a convenient green space close to downtown Centralia.

Good for: Walking • Picnics • Riverfront • Families

Schaefer Park

Schaefer Park offers a quieter natural setting along the Skookumchuck River on the outskirts of Centralia.

Good for: Nature • River access • Picnics • Relaxing outdoors

Pearl Street Spray Park & Playground

When the weather gets hot, Centralia’s Pearl Street recreation area offers a playground and seasonal spray park for kids.

Good for: Kids • Playground • Water play • Families • Summer

Seminary Hill Natural Area

Just minutes from downtown, Seminary Hill Natural Area preserves more than 70 acres of forest with a network of walking and hiking trails.

It’s one of the easiest places in the Twin Cities to trade city streets for a forest hike without actually leaving town.

Good for: Hiking • Walking • Nature • Wildlife • Free activities

Brick Wagner Park

A neighborhood park providing recreational space for residents in Centralia.

Good for: Kids • Families • Neighborhood recreation

Wilbur Parkins Park

Located in Centralia, Wilbur Parkins Park offers another neighborhood destination for outdoor recreation.

Good for: Families • Outdoor recreation

Discovery Trail

Centralia’s Discovery Trail provides an accessible local option for walking, running and enjoying the outdoors.

Good for: Walking • Running • Trails • Exercise

Agnew Mill Pond / China Creek Park

This natural area surrounding the historic mill pond and China Creek provides an interesting pocket of nature near downtown Centralia.

Good for: Walking • Nature • Wildlife • Local history


Parks Around Lewis County

Get outside the Twin Cities and Lewis County opens up dramatically. Rural parks range from neighborhood playgrounds and community parks to forests, lakes, rivers and state parks worth making a day trip out of.

Back Memorial Park

Located in Adna, Back Memorial Park provides a community recreation area for families and local activities.

Good for: Families • Community recreation • Outdoor activities

Rose Park

Rose Park provides another public recreation option for residents and visitors in rural Lewis County.

Good for: Families • Kids • Outdoor recreation

South Lewis County Park

South Lewis County Park provides outdoor recreation in the southern portion of the county.

Good for: Families • Picnics • Outdoor recreation

Gus Backstrom Park

Located in Morton, Gus Backstrom Park provides community recreation space surrounded by the scenery of East Lewis County.

Good for: Families • Outdoor recreation • East Lewis County

Winolequa Park

Located near Winlock, Winolequa Park is a popular South Lewis County recreation area with plenty of room for community activities and outdoor fun.

Good for: Families • Sports • Community recreation • Picnics

Mayme Shaddock Park

Located in Napavine, Mayme Shaddock Park provides recreation space close to the center of the community.

Good for: Kids • Families • Community recreation

Lewis & Clark State Park

Lewis & Clark State Park near Toledo protects a beautiful stand of old-growth forest and offers trails, camping, picnicking and equestrian recreation.

It’s an especially good destination for visitors who want to experience Southwest Washington’s forests without heading deep into the Cascades.

Good for: Hiking • Camping • Picnics • Nature • Horses

Matilda Jackson State Park

This small state park near Toledo provides a peaceful roadside destination among large trees along Jackson Highway.

Good for: Picnics • Nature • History • Short stops

Mossyrock Park

Located along Riffe Lake, Mossyrock Park is a major East Lewis County recreation destination offering camping and access to outdoor activities around the reservoir.

Good for: Camping • Water recreation • Families • Picnics

Rainbow Falls State Park

Located west of Chehalis near Dryad, Rainbow Falls State Park provides camping, hiking, picnicking and access to the Chehalis River in a forested setting.

Good for: Hiking • Camping • River • Nature • Picnics


Find a Park for What You Want to Do

Not sure where to go? Lewis County parks offer options for just about every kind of outdoor day.

Playgrounds & Kids: Penny Playground • Fort Borst Park • Pearl Street Playground & Spray Park

Walking & Hiking: Seminary Hill • Discovery Trail • Dobson Trail • Lewis & Clark State Park • Rainbow Falls State Park

Picnics: Fort Borst Park • Alexander Park • Lewis & Clark State Park • Matilda Jackson State Park • Rainbow Falls State Park

Water & Summer Fun: Pearl Street Spray Park • Shaw Aquatics Center • Mossyrock Park

Nature: Seminary Hill • Schaefer Park • Lewis & Clark State Park • Rainbow Falls State Park


Get Outside — or Find Something Else to Do

Lewis County’s parks are also home to concerts, festivals, sports, community celebrations and other activities throughout the year.

Check the LewisCountyEvents.com calendar to see what’s happening at local parks today, this weekend and throughout the year.