Have you explored the Silver Creek Trail in Puyallup?
If you’ve never heard of this nature trail just a minute or two from the Puyallup fairgrounds, you’re not alone! I found it on the city website a while back, but the trail is tucked into a quiet, residential neighborhood-you won’t find it by accident! You also wont’ find a map of the Silver Creek Trail to speak of, so I’ll try to help out with that here!
There are two segments to this trail. Both are short and flat-not long enough to be a hike, but perfect if you want to get a toddler out on a little nature ramble without going too far away.
You’ll find the first segment just down the street from where 12th Ave and 11th Street SW meet up. The first bit goes right next to some houses. The path is old pavement next to fields. Soon, you find pretty Silver Creek (it’s protected, so don’t let the kiddos go in it, even though they’ll want to). This bit is super short, but it smells amazing right now, I think from honeysuckle. There were also bees all over it, but they were sticking to the flowers-just don’t try and pick one!
The second segment is a few yards down the road on the opposite side. You can also enter this part from the other end off 10th Ave SW. It starts next to the creek, but quickly turns into woods. There is an informational sign at both entrances, as well as a couple of benches.
When you reach the 2nd bench, you can go left and skirt between houses until you meet the street. Here you’ll see a sign pointing the way to Another creek trail-this one Meeker Creek. If you want to extend your walk, cross the street and follow that sign along another short, flat path.
Length wise this is a short outing-definitely a nature walk, not a hike. You’re also always in site of rooftops, so it doesn’t exactly feel like the wilderness. I think it’s just perfect for my Puyallup area friends with toddlers and preschoolers who want to walk by themselves, but don’t want to go far. We saw and heard a hawk, and spotted plenty of songbirds, and even a frog! It’s a lot of nature without much effort at all.
If you go: Entrances are where 12th Ave and 11th Street SW meet-look for the signs. Alternatively, the longer of the two trail segments can be entered from 10th Ave across from the Meeker Creek Trail. There are no bathrooms. There are bags provided to pick up after dogs. You can park along the shoulder; it’s a quiet, residential area. If you go with pals, try to carpool. The trails here are part of an extensive restoration project. If you’re interested, you can read more about that here.
If this one leaves you wanting more, you’re super close to the historic fish hatchery, which is open to the public for free exploration, as well as Clarks Creek South, a good place for play and hiking, and even DeCourssey, which has a short walk around a pond and a fun playground.
If this isn’t near you, try our post on 10 Great Nature Walks for Kids. It has fun choices all over!
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