Des Moines Creek Trail

It’s not a very long trail but great for beginner runners, walkers & even kids that are just learning how to ride a bike. Not very crowded either, which is nice. I often see cyclist on the trail going too fast. Cyclists, please slow down… it’s not the street! There’s pedestrians using this trail too. You’ll past the sewage plant but it doesn’t smell too funky. Both ends of the trail has plenty of parking. The upper end is in Sea-​Tac/​North Des Moines and the other end has plenty of parking and is also next to the Marina.

A beautiful trail! Quiet, hardly any people, and good weather. We only walked to the .5 mile marker and since the trail doesn’t loop back to the park, we turned around. Otherwise it’s about 2 miles long so it ends up being a 4 mile walk/​run total. Lots of trees and a creek (hence the name). Plenty of parking and picnic tables for a day trip.

Love that this place is on the south end. Although the trail is only 2 miles, you can deviate from the concrete path into one of the dirt trails to create a longer, more scenic route.

I love this trail since it’s close by work, so I can go on a run or walk right after — because it’s such an effort to leave the house once I’m there! It’s rarely crowded even on really sunny days, and the path is shady so it’s great when it’s too hot to be at Seward or other exposed trails.
I usually start at the trailhead on 200^th and end up at the Marina, which is great. Slightly downhill and there’s a beautiful, relaxing view at the end. I usually don’t stop along the trail but I know a lot of people enjoy taking a break and playing by the water specially if they have dogs or kids. Right now there are a bunch of bunnies all over the trail, too, which is always a nice thing to see.
The trail is 2 miles and has markers every quarter mile. You can branch off as well and cross the bridge that eventually leads you out to 216^th. It is paved the entire way although you may get some water/​mud across the path at some points if it’s been raining.

If you follow this trail from the Des Moines marina there is a creek that runs along the first half. Large park with shelters and benches, even a rental park house for private events. Has two port-​a-​potties available. (So pee now, or forever hold your p*ss.)
The trail leads to a small parking lot after about 2 ½ miles.
About half way there is a very stinky (sewage?) plant… Motivates you to run faster if you’re a runner.
I’ve seen tons of different bird species here. Wood peckers, humming birds and more common birds, of course.
It’s mostly shaded by a canopy of trees, I like to stroll here on hot days.
Smooth well kept trail. Plenty of parking in various lots.

Enjoy running on the trail, and many of the locals are very kind. It is nice to go on a local trail and not having to avoid dog poop every other step.

Decent trail for anyone looking to go through various terrains. I honestly can’t wait until I get my bike so I can go through this place once again. I can’t quite give it a 5 star because it didn’t wow me, but I can say it’s a great and peaceful place to go take care of yourself.

The Des Moines Creek trail is about 2.5-mile, gravel bicycle and pedestrian trail connects three park systems — the 70-​acre Des Moines Creek Park, the 22.5-acre Des Moines Beach Park Historic District and Tidelands, and the 14-​acre Des Moines Marina. Old growth forests (one tree was so water logged last winter that 1 minute earlier it would have fallen on top of us) and areas with salmon spawning grounds and a fish ladder (they are building this section up), it has two historic landmarks and a mountain bike facility, before ending at the Marina waterfront. This trail connects Des Moines neighborhoods, recreation facilities and schools, SeaTac, SeaTac Airport, and I think the King County Regional Trail System to the Puget Sound in downtown Des Moines.
Summer, Spring, Fall or Winter, love to kill time walking this very nice trail system.