Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve

It was cool for the historical/​mysterious aspect to see the mounds. It’s nice for an easy, paved path type of hike. The gun fire from a nearby range was a bit off-​putting for the beautiful panoramic view that was offered. Tip: bring sunscreen! There’s no relief from the sun in the warmer months.

While the falls were quite nice they were not… WOW!!! It was a good hike though. Most of the entire hike was fairly flat. So, if you have an adverse reaction to hills, you would probably enjoy this hike.
We went early enough that a lot of the ground was still frozen, on our way back out it did start becoming a muddy mess.
Be careful and keep a look out for mountain bikers, folks on horseback and people’s dogs. We heard lots of gun fire out here as well. It was in a different area but, just saying…
Also, this is a state park and they are expectant of your having a Discovery Pass for parking, there is a small area outside the gate if you forget your pass.
All in all it was an enjoyable hike and there were falls. So, that being said… It did deliver what was promised.

This is a pretty nice place to take a walk but seriously, if you are a tourist or a visitor from out of town, don’t bother. It is a big huge field with mounds and a walking trail. Honestly, that is it.
My family and I went on a Monday night and had the entire place to ourselves. It was very quiet and we loved the walk but it kinda felt like we were on a high school track through grass with mounds to look at. Not much else folks.
They do have some historical information posted here and there but that is about all for entertainment.
It was a great walk and we enjoyed ourselves, as we do anytime we are outdoors and getting movement and fresh air, but this should not be a destination spot for anyone. People may be disappointed if they think they are getting something other than a place to take a walk through grass and mounds.

This place was a letdown.
It’s off i5 maybe 5 miles and has plentiful parking. There’s a map and the mystery mounds are kinda cool.
But the wow factor wears off pretty quickly (at least for me) and it’s not so much a natural preserve as …tourist trap? Low grade scenic viewpoint?
There was a firing range that was hoppin’ within earshot. The trails were short and paved. I thought it’d be bigger and more rustic.
There were other brown signs around luring us to wildernessy things so I might go back ton the area but not this particular venue.

This is a pretty cool place to visit, but BEWARE we had our car broken into (window busted) while we were here and a few items were stolen. We contacted the Thurston County Sherriff’s office and the DNR manager to inform them. Both agencies admitted that it has been happening a lot here. So, they know about it, but it’s unclear if they’re doing anything about it. Just a heads up to any future visitors. It was a pleasant afternoon up until that happened.

Although there are hardly any good directions to find this place, my directions may not be any better. Tto get to Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve, take I-​5 S and exit at #95 (Littlerock-​Maytown). Drive west on Maytown Road SW through the small town of Littlerock to a ”T.” Continue straight on Maytown Rd until you come to Waddell Creek Rd. Turn right on Waddell Creek Road and go about a about a mile to the entry road on left, which leads to the parking area and trailhead.
This place is… serenity. Just so quiet and peaceful. Perfect perfect trails and the wonderment that are the mounds. It’s actually quite open with minimal trees once you get out into the mound area. There is a little education center to tell you how the mounds were formed by water and it’s actually quite amazing to see what nature can do. And there are so many mounds!
You have to have a Discovery Pass and there isn’t a place to pay per use. This truly is an escape though even though the trail is pretty short. You can get a reasonable walk in as the trails aren’t that strenous. Leave you troubles behind, don’t take your cell phone or any electronics, turn off the radio and just be at peace.
True you do hear gunfire from the hunting club but it honestly didn’t bother me. It was so distant that it was kind of a very small drop of water in a super huge pond. I will definitely be going again and will be sure to get a Discover pass.

This is a nice and relaxing spot to visit that is located right outside Olympia, Washington. My hubby and I stopped by after visiting my sister and we were the only ones there. It was on a Monday morning so no shocker there, but it was a bit spooky (foggy and cold. felt like a scene out of Twilight)! It’s a really easy walk and will only take you about 20 minutes tops. The mounds are really cool. apparently no one knows why they are there so it’s interesting. The scenery is pretty and the Mima Mounds provides a quick, easy workout.
Visit, won’t you?

World War III!
An absolutely beautiful natural area.. .. with the sounds of gunfire in the background. Now, I am not against guns or legally firing them, but a firing range that close to the natural preserve completely ruins the experience.
Aside from the gunfire, the mysterious mounds are very interesting and beautiful. They are covered with a variety of wildflowers and you see little furry animals running around (or running for cover from bullets.)
Overall, it is a very pretty and interesting area. Just bring earplugs or an iPod to drown out the sounds.

Yeah, the gunfire’s annoying, but it’s a nice flat walk with a sometimes-​gorgeous view, the mounds are, depending on the time of year, a nice place to walk around contemplatively, kind of creepy and interesting or merely inoffensive. I’m a Mima Mounds lover.

The gunfire you hear is not part of the experience.
Well, it has been part of the experience the two times I’ve been here, which is exactly one time too many.
I am not a Mima Mounds lover.
Let me rewind. Mima Mounds should have it all — interesting history with a bit of mystery thrown in, unusual physical features, convenient parking, well maintained — tons of information on the web describes the uniqueness of this area, and eventually the road you take might drive right past.
Give yourself 10 minutes to soak it all in. That should do it.
As you can see on the map, it’s right next to a gun range, and the experience felt more like Dubya Dubya Two than a nature walk. I hear that if you walk to the farther reaches of the preserve, the sound of gunfire goes away.
We never found out.
Mima Mounds looks great on paper. I’m glad it exists, and is preserved. But it’s hard to contemplate the glacial floods that created this place amid the constant sounds of gunfire.
Read the Wikepedia page, the articles from seatimes, and then decide. You’ve been warned.