Lewis Creek Park

Situated on the northwestern slope of Cougar Mountain on the southern end of Bellevue, the diminutive Lewis Creek Park is one of the most well-maintained and diverse parks in the Seattle metro area. The park protects native habitat, but it also provides an infrastructure for outdoor recreation. According to the City of Bellevue:

The Lewis Creek Park and Visitor Center serve as community gathering places for environmental education and recreation. More than 80 percent of the 55-acre park is preserved in its natural condition. The park is situated at the headwaters of Lewis Creek and offers three diverse habitats to explore - wetland, grassland and forest - all accessible by boardwalks and soft-surface trails. In addition to the nearly three-mile trail system, the site includes a visitor center, separate play areas for younger and older children, basketball court, soccer/baseball fields that can be reserved for practices and games, and restrooms that are open from dawn until dusk, seven days per week.

The Lewis Creek Visitor Center is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and holidays). The 2,500 square-foot, multipurpose interpretive center provides visitors with Bellevue Parks and regional system information, family programs and recreational opportunities. Stop in to check out a pair of binoculars or grab a book from the library and relax in the seating area.

What's more, the visitor center and park are also host to a series of ranger-lead events, hikes, and interpretive programs hosted by the Eastside Audubon Society, the Eastside Heritage Center, and the Bellevue Stream Team.

Note: The visitor center can be rented for private events during non-open hours and has enough chairs and tables to accommodate a maximum of 50 people. To make reservations for the visitor center, picnic shelters, or the park's playing fields, contact the parks scheduling office at 425.452.6914 or email [email protected]. For more information on the parks events and programs, visit the City of Bellevue website.