Thurston County is home to many unique natural sites that are wonderful to explore. From bioluminescent kayak floats in the Sound to walking trails in the Glacial Heritage Preserve that give you a glimpse of what Puget Sound looked like in the 1800s. If you are looking for walking trails near Olympia, check out the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve. These walking trails show you a rare landform – the Mima Mounds – and the chance for bird watching in Thurston County.
How to Get To Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve
Ready for a hike near Olympia? From north or south, take 1-5 to exit 95 and head west on Maytown Road towards Littlerock. Drive through Littlerock (straight at the stop sign) and continue onto 128th Avenue until the road ends at a T intersection. Turn right on Waddell Creek Road. After .8-miles, turn left. There will be a sign for the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve. The second parking area has the bathrooms.
Visiting Mima Mounds Walking Trails
Be sure to get your Discover Pass for parking at the trailhead at Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve. Before you go, there are a few other things you need to know about walking at this Thurston County Natural Area Preserve:
- No dogs, except service animals, are allowed
- No bicycles either – there is a bike rack by the paved trailhead
- One path is paved and ADA accessible
- Great for kids
- Be prepared to pack everything with you, so if you bring snacks, be sure to have something to put your waste in – leave no trace!
- Do not wander from the trails
- Hunting and shooting are prohibited in the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve
The first parking area you get to is for the picnic area. There are several picnic benches tucked into the forest and even up on mounds, making it a great place to stop for a picnic – for those that cannot climb the rather steep mounds, there is a table out on the field by the fence. It’s a great place to sit, enjoy nature and a have a picnic in Thurston County.
If you head further in, there will be a one way sign, follow that to the second parking area. There are bathrooms there.
While Discover Passes are required, they do have a couple 15-minute parking spots at both parking areas that have no fee, if you just want to get a quick view of the mounds!
This nature preserve near Olympia has three walking paths. The paved trail is a .5-mile loop that is an interpretive trail system. It’s great for learning about the mysterious Mima Mounds and the glacial prairie! You can head to the observation area that has information, as well as a second-story observation deck that gives you a good view of the mounds.
The other two paths are gravel and are north and south of the paved loop. The south loop is about 1.5 miles, and the north loop is another half-mile trail. Each trail will give you something different to look at, so it’s worth exploring all three.
The preserve is home to many native and protected plant species, including Roemer’s fescue, Garry Oak trees and more. If you are looking for birdwatching near Olympia or love butterflies, you will often find both, depending on the time of year you visit. Migratory birds will be found in the fall and spring.
Spring and early summer are great times to visit because the wild flowers are in bloom!
What are the Mima Mounds In Thurston County?
Of course, the major draw are the mounds themselves. The Mima Mounds are small hills that average anywhere between 2 and 7 feet tall and 8 to 40 feet long. The name Mima comes from two Chehalis words meaning “newness,” and “to be surprised.”
As for what created the mounds – that hasn’t been decided. There are many theories, ranging from gophers, earthquakes and glaciers to even aliens. Walk the trails, read the interpretive signs and see which theory seems most probable to you! The local Tribes have a legend that the mounds are dolphins and whales that got stuck when water was covering the area – whale bones have been found nearby on the banks of the Chehalis River.
These trails are a great place to take kids. You can even turn it into a learning opportunity with the DNR’s downloadable Mima Mounds worksheet. It has photos, information, space for notes and drawings, and even discussion questions.
Take some time to walk these incredible historic trails near Olympia. You will be glad you did!
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