Lake Lois Park And Habitat Reserve
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Lake Lois Park and Habitat Reserve is a 120-acre natural area located in the state of Washington, offering visitors a chance to experience the region's unique flora and fauna.
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Summary
The park is a popular destination for hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking, and is open year-round.
One of the main attractions of the park is its namesake, Lake Lois, which is a small, shallow lake that is home to a variety of aquatic life, including fish, turtles, and waterfowl. Visitors can explore the lake by kayak or canoe, or simply enjoy the scenic views from the shore.
Another highlight of the park is its extensive network of hiking trails, which wind through forests of Douglas fir, cedar, and hemlock trees, and offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The trails range in difficulty from easy to moderate, making them suitable for hikers of all skill levels.
One interesting fact about the park is that it is home to several rare and threatened species of plants and animals, including the Western pond turtle and the Pacific Northwest tree octopus. Visitors can learn more about these unique creatures and their habitat at the park's interpretive center.
The best time of year to visit Lake Lois Park and Habitat Reserve depends on what activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are ideal for hiking and exploring the lake, while fall offers the opportunity to see the park's colorful foliage. Winter is a great time for birdwatching, as many migratory species can be spotted in the area.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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