Old Growth Cedar Preserve Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

The parking area has an ADA accessible portable toilet.

Take this beautifully-crafted ADA accessible boardwalk through a remnant of coastal old-growth cedar wetlands right in town. The Old Growth Cedar Wetland Preserve, originally donated to the town of Rockaway Beach by the Nature Conservancy, showcases a beautiful wetland full of native plants and huge sitka spruce.

With a newly renovated parking area just off Highway 101 that has handicap spaces and an ADA accessible portable toilet, you'll find a convenient place to start the adventure.

The boardwalk lets you stay above the mud and cross the creeks without getting wet while being surrounded by salal, skunk cabbage, salmonberry, and sedges. The boardwalk has curbs for safety and railing when crossing creeks or in places where it is higher off the ground. The boardwalk splits after a short distance. The left-hand path leads to a wetland observation deck with benches and picnic tables, perfect for a snack or lunch. School groups use this area to teach the students about the wetland habitat.

The right-hand path, newly built in Spring of 2020, leads on to the Big Cedar, heading slightly uphill (still ADA accessible) into drier old-growth forest. The path crosses a long bridge over the creek before reaching the Big Cedar. The boardwalk circles the huge old tree, with a wider viewing platform on one end. The elevated boardwalk protects the tree from root damage due to soil compression and makes it accessible to all ages and abilities. Enjoy this beautiful specimen from behind the railings and protect it for visitors to enjoy for another 100 years.

Follow the boardwalk over wetlands and Saltair Creek to discover all types of flora and fauna.