The parking lot at Tiger Mountain Summit trailhead will close this summer for major upgrades, increasing its capacity by more than three times by fall. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the closure will last from June 9 to November 1. During this period, the trails will remain open for public use.
The renovation will expand the parking lot from its current 50 spaces to 170 spaces, including a doubling of ADA-accessible spots, said Michael Kelly, DNR communications director. Although designed for 50 vehicles, the lot sometimes holds up to 80 cars. An overflow parking area known as the “lower lot,” with 90 additional spaces, will stay open throughout the project.
The renovation is funded by the 2024 state capital budget and is expected to be finished by October 31.
The timing of the upgrade is coordinated with upcoming work on Highway 18. The Washington State Department of Transportation will improve the highway’s entrance and exit near Tiger Summit. This highway project may affect parking areas close to the road, according to a DNR news release.
Kelly explained that outdoor recreation surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing demand on facilities like trailhead parking lots. While the Tiger Mountain lot is closed, he encourages visitors to explore other nearby trails, such as those in Raging River State Forest.
Tiger Mountain is a popular destination for hiking and mountain biking, featuring over 100 miles of trails. More than half of these trails can be accessed from the Tiger Summit trailhead. Eddie Espinosa, executive director of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, said parking, not trail space, is the main problem during busy weekends. He noted that both parking lots at Tiger Summit often fill up completely on sunny weekends.
Just a few highway exits from Tiger Mountain, Raging River State Forest offers nearly 50 miles of mountain biking trails.
Espinosa said he has never seen parking issues there. He also suggested that visitors use this closure as a chance to discover other trails around Washington, such as Tennant Trailhead Park in North Bend, ideal for beginner riders, and trails near Bonney Lake and Bellingham.