Lake Sylvia State Park

At first glance, Lake Sylvia State Park looks like a simple park with a lake, a beach and some camping. With the park being located inside the city limits of Montesano, who would expect there are miles of trails to hike leading out from the park into the surrounding forests, all maintained and owned by the City of Montesano. Starting with the lake, we find it is actually Sylvia Creek, dammed up by a homesteader in 1871. He built a sawmill operated by water power. The current larger dam was built in the 1920's to generate power for Montesano. Many interpretive signs around the park help explain the rich history that is involved in this small location. Many say the lake is good for fishing, there is a boat ramp for electric, non gasoline-powered boat motors. Lake Sylvia State Park has around 30 tent spots and just a few RV spots. The park looks good for picnicking and has a prime group camp area. There are even two primitive tent sites for hikers and bicyclers.

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This is the most promoted trail in the park since it loops around Lake Sylvia. The trail is 1.5 miles long. The west side is an old railroad grade so it is flat, has the most views and is open to mountain biking. The east side of the lake has some ups and downs, is more trail like, and for hikers only. The east side features some nice forests in places and a unique covered bridge.

The municipal watershed of Montesano is located at the head of the lake, accessible by the Chapin Collins Memorial Forest trail. When you reach the end of the lake, you hit the B-Line Road. From there, multiple hiking loops can me made walking forest roads and hiking trails. See the map at the bottom of this page.

The Sylvia Creek Forestry Trail is a 2.25-mile interpretive loop. It meanders down the valley, crosses Sylvia Creek and then climbs back to Lake Sylvia. Signs along the trail explore the plants, animals, history and logging practices of the Montesano City Forest and the Lake Sylvia area. The first half mile is along an old logging railroad grade adn is ADA compliant, the remaining 1.75 miles is moderately strenuous. Allow two hours to complete the loop trail. The Sylvia Creek Forestry trailhead is located past the south end of the parking lot. The two-mile interpretive trail is a cooperative project of the City of Montesano, Grays Harbor County, WSU Extension, Weyerhaeuser, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Fisheries, Stouffer Lumber, Bonnell Logging, and the Army Reserve. It was built in 1991 by the DNR Cedar Creek trail crew and is maintained by the City of Montesano forestry and public works departments and volunteers.