Mercer Slough Nature Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Mercer Slough Nature Park is a 320-acre park located in Bellevue, Washington.


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Summary

It offers an abundance of natural beauty and wildlife, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park contains a variety of habitats, including wetlands, forests, and meadows, and is home to more than 170 species of birds, as well as beavers, otters, and other wildlife.

There are several good reasons to visit Mercer Slough Nature Park. It offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, with miles of trails for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. The park also offers educational programs and guided nature walks to help visitors learn more about the area's flora and fauna.

One of the park's main points of interest is the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, which features interactive exhibits and educational displays on the area's ecology and conservation efforts. The center is also a great starting point for exploring the park's trails and natural areas.

Other notable points of interest in the park include the Blueberry Farm, a historic farmstead that has been restored and converted into a community garden, and the Mercer Slough Blueberry Festival, an annual event that celebrates the park's rich agricultural heritage.

Interesting facts about Mercer Slough Nature Park include the fact that it is one of the last remaining wetland areas in the Lake Washington watershed, and that it has been designated a National Urban Wildlife Refuge by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The park is also home to a variety of rare and endangered plant species.

The best time of year to visit Mercer Slough Nature Park is during the spring and summer months, when the park's trails are at their most vibrant and colorful. Visitors can enjoy blooming wildflowers and the sounds of migrating birds, as well as the park's many recreational activities and events.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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