Forest Park - Everett

With several miles of wooded trails, a self-guided nature tour plus hill climb and orienteering courses, Forest Park gives you plenty of reasons to get outdoors without leaving the city.

Forest Park is the largest park in the City of Everett with 197 acres to explore. Built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration of Roosevelt’s New Deal, you can still admire their well-built structures today as you navigate trails on the terraced hillside in North Everett. 

The trail system is a mix of soft wooded trail, moss-lined stairs, aged service road and boot path. Design your own route a la a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' book, or follow a combination of the 13 hill climb courses in the park for up to 4.9 miles and 1,105 feet of gain. 

There are mapped kiosks that show the routes, all designated with numbered markers. If you want a more relaxed outing, you can wander instead on the upper ridge trail, learning about nature aspects noted by a local Boy Scout troop. For the more adventurous, use the wooden posts marked with orienteering control descriptions on the two permanent courses the park offers to practice navigation skills for any upcoming wilderness escapades.

If the variety of trails isn't enough for you, use the playground monkey bars for upper body strength and the lengthy parking lot curbs for balance training. And if your timing is right, you can take a swim in the indoor pool or summer offers a spray park for cooling down. Whether you only have a short amount of time or want to stretch your legs before or after a ride on the Mukilteo Ferry, Forest Park is the perfect urban option!

WTA Pro Tip: Make it easier to work in a visit to your local park after work, before you get home and become distracted with other tasks. It's easier when you keep trail shoes in the car, too!