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Public boating and fishing access along the Cedar River

Public boating and fishing access along the Cedar River

Recreational land use liability disclosure statement
King County, the City of Renton and the City of Seattle make no representation or warranty as to the suitability of the sites or water access points for these recreational activities. Persons using such sites or engaging in such activities should have adequate skill, knowledge, experience and judgment to safely enjoy these pursuits. King County, the City of Renton and the City of Seattle hereby disclaim any responsibility for, and shall not be held accountable for any loss, damage, or injury that may be suffered by users or visitors to the sites described in this Web site. Visitors and users assume the risk for their own safety when using the sites indicated on this guide. Please consult the county's known hazards web pages.

The Cedar River flows from the Cascades east of Maple Valley to Lake Washington in Renton, hosting populations of sockeye, coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead and trout. The Cedar River is a prime location for fishing in season, non-motorized boating and nature viewing.

This guidance was produced by the Cedar River Council working with King County, City of Renton and City of Seattle to inform the public of places where the Cedar River and its shorelines may be accessed for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities. Many of these remain undeveloped and are neither designed nor maintained for public recreational use or access. Accordingly, many of these sites do not provide boat launches or ramps, facilities for visitors, or designated off-street parking for vehicles, and do not meet ADA standards for accessibility in connection with recreational activities.

The Cedar River Regional Trail runs parallel to the river from Renton to Landsburg at the western edge of the City of Seattle's Cedar River Watershed. It is located atop an abandoned rail line built to haul coal from mines in the Cascade foothills to settlements in the lowlands. This scenic trail provides visual and physical access to the river in many locations and is adjacent to many of the following public access sites. The trail is paved from Lake Washington to Maple Valley with compacted gravel the remainder of the distance.

Use the links below for information about public access, starting with those sites located farthest downstream. River right and river left orientation are based on looking downstream. River miles are listed from the mouth of the river, going upstream.

Cedar River Access Map Cedar River Boathouse (Developed Park) Cedar River Trail Park (Developed Park) Riverview Park (Developed Park) Cedar Mountain Bridge (Undeveloped Natural Area) Maplewood Roadside Park (Undeveloped Natural Area) Buck's Curve (Undeveloped Natural Area) Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area (Undeveloped Natural Area) Cedar Grove Natural Area (Undeveloped Natural Area) Cedar Grove Road Natural Area (Undeveloped Natural Area) 233rd Place SE-Maxwell Rd Extension (Undeveloped Natural Area) Maple Valley Rotary Park (Developed Park) Upper Dorre Don Way SE (Undeveloped Natural Area) Big Bend Natural Area (Undeveloped Natural Area) Landsburg Trailhead Park (Developed Park) Landsburg Park (Developed Park)

The following symbols indicate the facilities and activities available at these sites:

Fishing

fishing in season

Boating

non-motorized boat put-in or pull-out point (many access points are unimproved low bank without a boat ramp)

Restrooms

restroom or outhouse facilities at site

Parking

designated parking area at site

Cedar River Boathouse (external link)
City of Renton, River mile 0

Cedar River Boathouse Map and Directions (external link)
Paddle over to Gene Coulon Beach Park (external link) or up the gently flowing Cedar River. Explore the waters around the shoreline of South Lake Washington and watch the wildlife as you float along. The Boathouse, built on pilings over Lake Washington, is located at the north end of the Cedar River Trail at 1060 North Riverside Drive and across from Renton Airport. The Cedar River boathouse does not include a motorized launch. Boating includes canoe and kayak rental. To report problems at site call 425-430-6600.

Fishing Boating Restrooms Parking

Cedar River Trail Park (external link)
City of Renton, River mile .63

Cedar River Trail Park Map and Directions (external link)
Cedar River and North 6th Street, across from Renton Airport. The Cedar River Trail stretches for more than 16 miles. The picnic area is close to the water's edge and near play equipment and a non-motorized boat launch. The Cedar River Boathouse is in walking distance of the shelter and provides kayak and canoe rentals as well as instruction. To report problems at site call 425-430-6600.

Fishing Boating Parking Restrooms

Riverview Park (external link)
City of Renton, River mile 2.5

2901 Maple Valley Highway - Riverview Park Map and Directions (external link)
South side SR 169 (Maple Valley HWY) at SE 5th Street; River right.
Riverview Park boating is non-motorized only and the launch area is for hand carried crafts only. Riverview Park restrooms are seasonal, however the City provides portable toilets from November through March. To report problems at site call 425-430-6600.

Fishing Boating Restrooms Parking

Maplewood Roadside Park
City of Renton, River mile 3

3201 Maple Valley Highway (South side of SR 169 at SE 7th Street; River right under Cedar River Trail trestle.) Amenities include parking, grass area, picnic tables, fishing, and access to Cedar River Trail. To report problems at site call 425-430-6600.

Fishing Parking

Bucks Curve
King County, River mile 6.2

South side Jones Rd at approx. 158th. River right. This is a non-motorized boat take-out only due to hazards immediately downstream. Parking is on road shoulder of Jones Road.

Fishing Boating

Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area
King County, River mile 6.5 - 7.0

North side of SR 169 at 174th, extending west from 174th Ave SE. River left.
Access is by foot from Cedar River Trail at 174th Ave SE (Riverbend Mobile Home Park); no parking is available at the site (mobile home parking lot is private property). Non-motorized boats need to be hand-carried in from Cedar River Trail through site to unimproved low bank at the river on western side of Cavanaugh Pond. The site is unimproved and does not have any developed recreational facilities or public amenities. To report problems at site call 206-263-3723.

Fishing Boating

Cedar Grove Natural Area
King County, River mile 8.3

SE Jones Road and Renton Maple Valley Road SE, Renton WA
Access from Cedar River Trail parallel to SR169 at the 18800 block (across from old King Co. Shops). Note: This is 2 miles West of Cedar Grove Road. The area is accessible from Cedar River Trail; parking is not authorized on SR 169 shoulder. Short trail leads directly to bank overlooking river. There is no boat access due to moderately high bank. The site is unimproved and does not have any developed recreational facilities or public amenities. To report problems at site call 206-263-3723.

Fishing

Cedar Mountain Bridge; also known as Upper Jones Road Bridge
King County, River mile 9.4

East side downstream of bridge on Jones Road and SR169; river right. This is a road right-of-way property designed to serve transportation-related purposes. The site is unimproved and does not have any developed recreational facilities or public amenities.

NOTE:

  • Vehicles are not permitted on the maintenance access road or below the bridge.
  • This site contains recent native plantings for bank stabilization and fish and wildlife habitat; please avoid planted areas.

To report problems at site call 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KCROADS.

Fishing Boating

Cedar Grove Road Natural Area
King County, River mile 11.4

NE corner of SR 169 and Cedar Grove Road intersection.
Area located 1 block North of SR 169 on Cedar Grove Road river left, downstream of bridge. Property is just east of Cedar River Trail. Non-motorized boats should be hand-carried to unimproved low bank at river on east side of property near bridge. Park along Byers Road shoulder. The site is unimproved and does not have any developed recreational facilities or public amenities. To report problems at site call 206-263-3723.

Fishing Boating

Cedar River at 233rd Place SE
King County, River mile 14.0

233rd Place SE (also known as North extension of Maxwell Rd) at Cedar River Trail Bridge (external link), river right.
North of SR-169 and Cedar River Trail. Parking is on 233rd Place SE shoulders near road end. Non-motorized boat launch point is unimproved low bank at road end. This is a road right-of-way property designed to serve transportation-related purposes. The site is unimproved and does not have any developed recreational facilities or public amenities. This site is also the access point to a County-maintained flood protection facility. Access through the gate located on the downstream side of the road end, must not be blocked. To report problems at site call 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KCROADS.

Fishing Boating

Maple Valley Rotary Park
King County, River mile 15.3

East side of SR-169 and Witte Rd SE at Cedar River Bridge in Maple Valley, river left. Non-motorized boat launch point is unimproved low bank at north end of site. Parking lot at site. To report problems at site call 206.296.4232.

Fishing Boating Parking

Upper Dorre Don Way SE
King County, River mile 17.5

South side of the end of Upper Dorre Don Way at SE 238th and Cedar River Trail; river right. Access to the river is down an extremely steep hill side trail. No parking is available at site. To report problems at site call 206.296.4232.

Fishing

Big Bend Natural Area
King County, River miles 20.8 - 21.0

Park at Landsburg Trailhead parking lot for the Cedar River Trail at 276th Ave/Landsburg Road SE, and walk west on Cedar River Trail ~1 mile to near railroad bridge across Cedar River; river right. The site is unimproved and does not have any developed recreational facilities or public amenities. To report problems at site call 206-263-3723.

Fishing

Landsburg Trailhead Park
King County, River mile 22

276th Ave SE/Landsburg Road SE at bridge over Cedar River. river left below the bridge. Gravel parking area, eastern trailhead for Cedar River Trail, non-motorized boat launch is unimproved riverbank. To report problems at site call 206-296-4232.

Fishing Boating Parking Restrooms

Landsburg Park
City of Seattle, River mile 22

276th Ave SE (Issaquah Hobart Road) Landsburg Road SE at bridge over Cedar River. River left above the bridge. Gravel parking available on NE side of the 276th Ave SE. Enjoy fish viewing from viewing area and picnicking at site. To report problems at site call 1-800-404-1110.

Parking Restrooms

This guidance was produced by the Cedar River Council working with King County, City of Renton and City of Seattle to inform the public of places where the Cedar River and its shorelines may be accessed for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities.

This Web site is intended to provide general information on the availability of boating and river-related recreation on King County rivers. Please remember to be careful. You are primarily responsible for your own safety when visiting one of the sites listed on this web site. You may want to consult the following Web page for further information on boater safety.

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