Tolt-MacDonald Park is Carnation's watery wonderland

Location: Carnation

Length: Three miles of park trails connect to trails in Ames Lake Forest; to access the 27-mile Snoqualmie Valley Trail, head east from the park along the Tolt River.

Level of difficulty: Level to moderately steep dirt/gravel trails (some are muddy after rains).

Setting: This 574-acre park sprawls across the floodplain at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers. Near downtown Carnation, the park has broad lawns and views of the Cascades, with a 500-foot-long suspension footbridge that spans the Snoqualmie River and leads to forested trails. Bring a picnic (there's a QFC in Carnation) or make it a weekend getaway at the campground (includes six large yurts set in the woods for just $45/night). Across the footbridge, service roads follow the Snoqualmie River north and south (shrubs largely block the river), while the Cottonwood Trail begins past the open-sided cabins and heads north midway up a hill before circling back toward the river. (Print out a copy of the trail map from the Web site before you come.)

Highlights: Summer is prime time to visit this riverside park set in among the lush farms of the Snoqualmie Valley. During winter, lower portions of the park are often under water. Note the sandy ground — not just near the shoreline, but up on the lawns. This shows the strength of the raging river currents that can fling this sediment from the river channel up onto floodplains during high water. See the park Web site for amazing aerial photos from the January 2009 flood that show the flooded park and massive logjams in the Tolt River. (Salmon-habitat restoration and flood-control efforts are in progress in the park until this winter.) Some downed trunks remain on the beaches along the Snoqualmie River. Submerged debris like this is what makes emergency rescue personnel shudder when people break out the inner tubes and head for rivers during warm weather.

Facilities: Restrooms and water in center of main campground loop, portable and vault toilets throughout park, playground near historic barn shelter.

Restrictions: Leash and scoop laws in effect. Watch out for stinging nettles alongside trails. Bears and cougars may be seen in this area.

Directions: East of Issaquah on Interstate 90, take Exit 22 and follow signs toward Fall City (via Preston-Fall City Road Southeast). Once you reach downtown Fall City, turn right at the Roadhouse restaurant, cross the bridge, go through the roundabout and bear left to get on Highway 203 and head north to Carnation. As you enter Carnation, turn left on Northeast 40th Street, which ends at the park.

For more information: 206-205-5275 or www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks. For camping info, call 206-205-5434.