Trails and Preserves
Land Trust Owned and Managed Preserves
Shinglemill Creek and Fern Cove
219 preserved acres of forested ravine, estuary, and Vashon Island's second largest creek. The preserve is home to 2.6 miles of trail, lovingly built and stewarded by the Land Trust’s Stewardship Team.
Shinglemill Creek welcomes wildspawning Chum and Coho salmon each fall and is beloved by Island birders.
On-leash dogs are welcome on the Shinglemill Trails. Dogs are not permitted at Fern Cove.
Judd Creek
The Land Trust has been hard at work in Paradise Valley for decades. The Judd Creek Preserve is made up of 160 acres and is the result of years of careful land acquisitions, trail building, and habitat restoration. The trails allow visitors to meander through riparian areas, maintained meadows, and forest land.
On-leash dogs are welcome at the Judd Creek Preserve. Please keep boots and paws out of the creek; salmon live here year-round!
Hiking trails, beach access at Fern Cove.
Fisher Pond
Fisher Pond is Vashon’s largest open-water pond and one of the top island birding spots. It is the headwaters of Shinglemill Creek. The Fisher Pond Preserve consists of 150 acres and boasts a trail system that winds around the pond and extends to Agren Park to the east and Cove Road to the northwest.
Dogs are not permitted on Fisher Pond Preserve trails.
North Maury Wildlands
There are no trails at the North Maury Wildlands.In 2026, the Land Trust purchased 51 acres in North Maury to serve as an oasis for the area's abundant wildlife. The North Maury Wildlands hosts unique features found in very few places on Vashon. Our Stewardship Crew will monitor the property and tackle non-native plants in the forests, but otherwise we will leave the preserve as is so it can remain undisturbed habitat.
The Hemlock forests of The Wildlands are home to flying squirrels, and the shoreline is excellent habitat for forage fish, Belted kingfishers, and Pigeon guillemots.
Christensen Creek
Christensen Pond is the headwaters of Christensen Creek. It’s one of the most diverse and wild watersheds on the island. The 81 acres of preserved land are home to some of the last standing old-growth Douglas firs, as well as healthy swaths of Devil’s club.
Christensen Pond is a nursery for our Island amphibians. In the spring, egg masses from Rough-skinned newts and Northwestern salamanders can be found nestled among sturdy plant stalks.
Dogs are not permitted at Christensen Pond.
There are no trails at Tahlequah Creek at this time.
Tahlequah Creek
Nestled in the ravine just west of the ferry line, Tahlequah Creek is one of the island’s largest and most pristine watersheds. The ravine's steep terrain has largely prevented development in the area, and the Land Trust has preserved 35 acres of this crucial watershed since 2023.
The forested ravine is home to large Douglas fir and Big leaf maple — some topping out at 150 ft. The creek is home to Sea-run cutthroat trout and is a prime candidate for restoration work that will help recharge the aquifer in this beautiful Southend preserve.
Whispering Firs Bog
The preserve that formed the Land Trust! Whispering Firs Bog is a sphagnum peat bog that is 12,000 years old and one of the few remaining in lowland Puget Sound. Over the years, the Land Trust has preserved the 19 acres of remaining peat bog, protecting it from development forever.
The Land Trust offers limited guided tours of The Bog to its members annually.
Due to its extremely fragile nature, Whispering Firs Bog is not open to the public. 
Matsuda Farm
Matsuda Farm is one of the last remaining historic Japanese American farms on Vashon Island. In 2015, Miyoko Matsuda offered the Land Trust an exclusive negotiation to purchase the last 12 acres of Matsuda Farm. In 2022, Ray Gruenewald donated five forested acres of the farm to the Land Trust, the Mary Matsuda Gruenewald Forest. Today, the day-to-day operations of the farm are in the capable hands of the fine farmers at Makanai Farm.
There are no trails at Matsuda Farm at this time.Partner Trails and Preserves
Island Center Forest
Known by old-timers as “The Statelands”, Island Center Forest’s acquisition by King County Parks was truly a community effort. A total of 496 acres have been conserved since 2002, with the Land Trust holding key negotiating and fundraising roles for many of the acquisitions.
On-leash dogs are welcome at Island Center Forest, but please avoid Meadowlake and Mukai Ponds with your pups; the ponds are important breeding and rearing habitat for Island birds!
Frog Holler Forest
Frog Holler Forest is the largest working forest on Vashon Island. Over the years, the Land Trust has assisted with negotiations, purchased and held property for King County, and sold parcels to the County that were donated to the Land Trust. This powerful partnership has conserved 255 acres of forests and former pasture.
On-leash dogs are welcome at Frog Holler Forest.
Maury Island Marine Park
Maury Island Marine Park was an early acquisition by King County Parks, made possible by the Conservation Futures Fund. Since 1994, the park has grown to 324 acres, and its sweeping views of Mt. Rainier and its beautiful stands of madrones have made it a destination for locals and visitors alike.
On-leash dogs are welcome at Maury Island Marine Park.
Mileta Creek Wildlife Refuge
There are no trails at Mileta Creek.Mileta Creek is one of the earliest Land Trust preserves, all 15 acres were conserved by 1992. Prior to purchase, this stretch of creek and its alder forest served as an expansive rookery for Great Blue Herons. By the time the ink had dried on the land purchase, the herons had dispersed and found other areas on the island to nest, but these protected trees are ready to host a new generation anytime should they decide to return!
Mileta Creek is now owned by King County Parks and is managed by the Land Trust’s Stewardship Team.
Dockton Forest and Maury Island Natural Area
Dockton Forest and the Maury Island Natural Area, at 472 acres, represent the largest swath of conserved land on Maury Island. Dockton Forest boasts 12 miles of multi-use trails, as well as three miles of mountain bike trails. Maury Island Natural Area was once a sand-and-gravel mine and is the longest undeveloped stretch of Puget Sound shoreline in King County.
On-leash dogs are welcome at Dockton Forest and the Maury Island Natural Area
There are no trails at Lost Lake.
Lost Lake
Lost Lake is one of the Island’s oldest preserves. The peat in this young bog has been dated back to the 1700’s, when a major earthquake was recorded in local tribal stories. It is likely that this earthquake reduced the lake's size and created conditions for sphagnum moss to grow and accumulate.
The 61 acres of upland forests and wetlands are owned by King County Parks and monitored by the Land Trust’s Stewardship Team.