Moss Lake Natural Area is a King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Ecological Land. The site is located 5 miles southeast of Duvall, 3.5 miles northeast of Carnation, and 1 mile
Moss Lake Natural Area is a King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) Ecological Land. The site is located 5 miles southeast of Duvall, 3.5 miles northeast of Carnation, and 1 mile east of Lake Joy in the Cascade foothills. The site is comprised of 372 acres of high-quality wetland and forested upland habitats. An extensive Class 1 wetland complex encompasses a large sphagnum bog, beaver dams, open water and forested wetland.
In November of 2024, the Tulalip Tribe purchased the land immediately north and east of the Natural Area boundaries. The tribe shares:
"The Tulalip Tribes respectfully ask the public to honor the boundaries of our “Skyline” forestlands, which are currently closed to public access. In November 2024, the Tribes acquired approximately 18,000 acres of the Snoqualmie Tree Farm — a landscape of deep ancestral significance. This land will be cared for as a working forest, supporting tribal programs and restoring the ecological richness in a way that would be recognizable to our ancestors.
As descendants of the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and allied peoples who signed the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott, our connection to these lands runs deep. We kindly ask that visitors refrain from entering Tulalip lands via adjacent areas such as DNR’s Marckworth Forest, the City of Seattle’s Tolt Pipeline Trail, King County’s Moss Lake Preserve, or neighboring timberlands. Campbell Global recreation permit holders are asked to remain south of the North Fork Tolt River on designated Campbell roads and lands.
The Tulalip Tribes are committed to working collaboratively with neighboring communities, agencies, and nonprofit partners to steward this forest with care and intention. If you have questions or would like to learn more, please reach out to forestry@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov."
How to Find It
From WA-203, turn up NE Stillwater Hill Road (will be a right if you're heading towards Carnation/Duvall from the south, or a left if you're coming from the north). NE Stillwater becomes Kelly Road NE. Take a right onto NE Lake Joy Road where it veers off of Kelly (about 2 miles). About 2 1/2 miles down, make a left onto NE Moss Lake Road. Watch your speed; Moss Lake Road is gravel and there are a few mean potholes at the transition. Go to the end and park in the lot.
You can find the trails by heading out on the obvious doubletrack and walking your bike around the metal gate.
Typical Conditions
Classic Pacific Northwest lowlands XC. Here you'll find a mix of service road, doubletrack, and lush, twisty singletrack. Roads and doubletrack will generally be drained and brushed. The singletrack can be quite lush during the spring months. These trails don't get a ton of riding action, so the bench can be quite soft and loose. Drains reasonably well. Dress appropriately for mosquitos and nettle in spring. Lots of salmonberry, sword fern, and moss.
Turn by Turn
Generally you'll start out on the doubletrack from the parking lot (past the gate) and stay on the main road/trail past the first few singletracks you'll see on the side. Climb up a moderate grade (wooden ladder WTA-style) headed north, and either take the singletrack to the west (Loop Trail) or continue deeper into the park. If you continue to head north, you'll eventually come out on the Tolt River Pipeline road.
