Disclaimers

Quick-and-dirty version

Access: Main Entrance (park info)
Round Trip: 8.1 miles
Elevation Range: 200′-300'
Essential Gear: none
Dog-friendly: yes

Even though winter hours were from 8 AM to dusk, the main gate was open when we showed up at 6:30. The north entrance off Tilley Road was gated until after 8. We hung out until then before pulling into the first parking area by Deep Lake.

As with any in-city parks, it's best to show up early (yes, at the crack of dawn) to enjoy peacefulness. The dog and I met half a dozen folks and a few dogs before wrapping up the walk. The lots were nearly full when we finished before 11.

THE TRAILS:

• Overall excellent but occasionally muddy over some parts due to recent rain.
• Every trail fork had a map stand to indicate the exact location and to keep people from getting lost.
• The first span of Fen Way Boardwalk past the third south lot as slick due to the wetness. The second stretch was covered in a thin metal grating to keep from slipping and felt way safer.
• To make the long drive worthwhile, we covered nearly all the trails, a little over 8 miles,
• The half-mile stretch from the third south lot to the retreat center was off-limits to hikers.

Our Route

1. From the main entrance, go west and clockwise through the park using different combos of trails.
2. Quarry Pond in the southwest corner can be accessed from anywhere without warning signs.

Highlights

• Doggy bags and paper maps available at the bulletin board
• Expansive view of Deep Lake from the main entrance through the north shore
• The smaller and serene Quarry Pond in the southwest corner
• Early morning solitude and partly sunny

Lowlights

• Muddy areas throughout

My 75th trip report! I've lived in the Olympia area are 7 years, but had never made it out to Millersylvania State Park just south of town. So, I decided to head over and check it out! There are quite a few trails (and helpful sign maps at each intersection!), so you can make your own loop. I chose to take the trail along Deep Lake over to the Maple Glade Loop, then along Old Growth Lane, and finally over to the Perimeter trail for a 3.65mi loop with about 210ft of elevation gain.

Info about the trails: The trails are in good shape! They vary between dirt roads, boardwalks, and narrower paths. It is mostly flat with some areas of elevation. There are little bits of Fall color coming out, but it's definitely a few weeks off. I was looking for interesting mushrooms, but surprisingly didn't see much! It looked like a few logs had already had some mushrooms scraped off and I also saw one tree off the trail in the Maple Glade area that has huge shelf mushrooms! A couple of things that I didn't like were having to walk through day use areas with parties and baby showers along the lake and hearing gunshots near parts of the trail. 

I recommend checking it out if you are in the area!

GREAT DAY IN THE WOODS

If you like old growth cedar and Douglass Fir, shady sword ferns and mosses, lazy streams running through verdant wetlands, or sunny beaches on a deep cool lake, Millersylvania is the perfect spot. The Perimeter trail starts right at the entrance to the park (across from the Ranger residence) and provides 4.5 miles of easy, low-elevation delights. Bring your Discover Pass and park in the day use area by Kitchen #2, then hike past the lake to the entrance. If you want the entire experience just keep turning right wherever you find a fork in the trail! There are also helpful maps at almost every junction to keep you on track. Best of all, when you finish up there is an ice cream stand AND a brand new taphouse serving pizza and cold beverages (including adult ones) a stone's throw from Kitchen #2 that will give you a perfect end to your hike. Highly recommended!

Beautiful trail, lots of options to take, maps placed throughout so you know where you are. The trees are tall and the shade is so nice under the sun, the lake is huge, paths are very open and nothing is strenuous so I'd say it's friendly to all hiker levels. It was very serene and peaceful, lots of little rabbits so please between them and other dogs keep your dogs leashed!! And if you find anything to forage, be the kind to leave enough for other humans and animals :)

Some mud but it has been drying out over the week. Otherwise everything in good shape.