Redmond Watershed Preserve
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Redmond Watershed Preserve is a 800-acre natural area located in the state of Washington, just outside of Seattle.
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Summary
The preserve is home to a variety of plant and animal species, and offers visitors a chance to hike, bike, and explore the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
One of the main reasons to visit Redmond Watershed Preserve is to experience the natural beauty of the area. The preserve is home to a number of trails that wind through forests, wetlands, and meadows, offering visitors a chance to see a variety of wildlife and plant life up close.
Some of the specific points of interest to see at the preserve include the Salmon Viewing Platform, which allows visitors to watch the annual salmon run in the area's creeks and streams. The preserve is also home to a variety of historic sites, including old logging camps and homesteads that offer a glimpse into the region's past.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the preserve serves as an important source of drinking water for the nearby city of Redmond. Additionally, the area is home to a number of endangered and threatened species, including the northern spotted owl and the western pond turtle.
The best time of year to visit Redmond Watershed Preserve is in the spring and summer, when the weather is mild and the area is at its most beautiful. Visitors should be sure to bring appropriate hiking gear and plenty of water, as the trails can be challenging and the area can get hot during the summer months.
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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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