Four Springs Lake Preserve

Explore a former farm in the heart of Camano Island

Quick Facts:

Location: Camano Island

Land Agency: Island County Parks

Round Trip: 1.5 miles of trails

Elevation Gain: up to 200 feet

Contact: Island County Parks

Detailed Information: Urban Trails Everett (Mountaineers Books)

Notes: Dogs permitted on leash. No map online but available in pamphlet, Walking The Camano Island Trails-$1.00 donation-see Friends of Camano Islands Parks website for pamphlet outlets.

Access: From I-5 Exit 212, head west on SR 532 for 10 miles (passing through Stanwood) to Camano Island. At traffic light continue straight on NE Camano Drive. After 2.6 miles bear right onto N Camano Hill Road. Continue 2.4 miles and turn right onto Lewis Lane. Then drive 0.2 mile to trailhead.

Good to Know: kid-friendly, snow free winter hikes, historic, trail less traveled

A former farm and homestead in the heart of Camano Island, Four Springs Lake Preserve is now a quiet place to take a short hike. A spring-fed pond (not really a lake), an old barn, vintage farm equipment, wetlands, mature forest and a small little ravine—all await you at this 50-acre preserve.

At the center of the preserve sits the Four Springs House overlooking the tiny Four Springs Lake. The house is the former home to the previous owners of this parcel before it was bought in 2001 for a new park. The house hosts weddings and other functions throughout the year. But the trails are usually pretty sedate.

            You can start on the Perimeter Trail which as its name suggests travels (mostly) around this squared parcel. This trail passes through an old pasture and old orchard, crosses a small stream, goes up and down through mature second growth forest, and passes by the Four Springs Lake. The trail ends in a ravine housing the lake and its outlet creek.

            You can then hike back to your start via the Ravine Drop Off Trail to an old barn and corral and return to the parking area. Do check out the barn and its old equipment and the short Holton Wetland Interpretive Trail and North Loop Trail to your hiking mix. The trails can get a little slick during the rainy season, especially in the ravine. But the rains help keep the little creek flowing and the ravine wetlands lush.

For detailed descriptions (including maps) for this hike as well as others on Camano Island, Whidbey Island, and Western Snohomish County, pick up a copy of my best selling Urban Trails Everett (Mountaineers Books).