Parks in Kent: Where to Go and What to Do
There are many things that draw people outdoors, from the sweet sounds of nature to the games best enjoyed in the open air. Kent, WA has parks on all sides, from green fields and outdoor sports zones to natural areas ideal for hiking. Parks are in-demand as people seek safe, socially distant activities outside of the home. Each park in Kent offers something different: explore the options below to find the right park for the moment.
For Sports & Activities: Hogan Park at Russell Road
Commonly called Russell Road Park, Hogan Park likely has the most amenities of any park in Kent. Outdoors, there are 5 baseball and softball fields, a playground, picnic shelter and various picnic tables, BBQ grills, and a wheelchair-accessible trail. Indoors, there are multiple types of rooms available for rent including a full-scale gymnasium, dance studios, and classrooms. Hogan Park is across the street from Kent Valley Ice Centre and Kent Valley Miniature Golf. People of all ages can easily spend the whole day at this park and the nearby attractions.
For Hiking & Fishing: Lake Fenwick Park
Lake Fenwick Park is a wooded area on the Northwestern side of Kent, centered around Lake Fenwick. There are meandering trails throughout the park, with a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk over the lake. The park also connects with the Green River Trail which is 20 miles total in length, following the river around the rim of the city. A popular fishing locale, Lake Fenwick is the place to catch rainbow trout, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullheads, and yellow perches. For cardio, visitors use the 177-step flight of stairs with a charming woodland view. Other highlights are a tennis court and skate park in the northwestern corner, and a disc golf course to the west of the lake.
For Water Activities: North Lake Tapps Park
Lake Tapps Park is a sprawling 135 acres, with a 10,000 foot waterfront. 30 minutes south of Kent, the lake is most popular for swimming, and provides picnic tables and grills for visitors. The area was recently renovated in June 2020, including a long boat ramp and a pocket beach for additional swimming access. Lake Tapps Park is six minutes away from Tapps Island Golf Course, a 9-hole golf course with unique water-based challenges. The golf course is following strict social distancing rules including no sharing of clubs and no use of flagsticks, so you can rest easy during your visit.
For a Long Hike: Tiger Mountain State Forest
Tiger Mountain Trail is a 15.2 mile hike through dense forest, open to visitors with on-leash dogs. A wooded mountain trail, it’s not without difficulty, with 2,360 feet in total elevation gain throughout the hike. Creeks meander throughout the forest with wildflowers growing nearby, making it ideal for wilderness photography or simply immersing yourself in nature. Instead of walking, visitors can drive to the summit by entering the park on WA-18 E, or ride a mountain bike to the top via the E Tiger Summit Trail. At the top of Tiger Mountain are scattered picnic tables with a view of the forest all around.
For Adventure: Mount Rainier National Park
Kent is 90 minutes north of Mt Rainier National Park, home to the tallest mountain in the Cascades. Mount Rainier is a beloved mountain climbing locale for those who enjoy a challenge. The most glaciated mountain south of Canada, scaling the mountain requires gear and expertise, taking between 1 and 3 days to complete with the most traffic in July and only a few daring climbers in the winter. While not everyone may be up for the climb, there are low-elevation trails with wildflower and mountain views, and guided hikes and snowshoe tours throughout the year.
Nature-lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts visit Kent for the variety of surrounding parks. If you fall in love with the parks in Kent, consider touring our newly renovated Kent, Washington apartments, with multiple indoor and outdoor spaces including a swimming pool, playground, and two spacious dog parks.
