Waterfront Park Trail Map for Walking and Bird Watching in Leavenworth Washington

Best Western Icicle Inn Resort 509-548-7000 800-558-2438

505 Highway 2, Leavenworth Washington

Waterfront Park is one of Leavenworth's best kept secrets. The trails wind along the Wenatchee River and through quiet riverbank forests. There are benches for sitting and interpretive signs to explain the natural and cultural history of the area. Throughout the park there are small beach inlets that are perfect for swimming on hot summer days. This is also a great birding site in the Spring or a place to spot salmon making their upstream journey in the Fall. The trail is accessible a block behind the Icicle Inn Resort and will take you along the river, over Blackbird Island, and out in downtown Leavenworth. The trail is about 3 miles round trip so plan for an hour walk. It is flat so you can just relax and enjoy the views. To return to the Icicle Inn through the park from downtown go to the corner of 8th Street and Commercial. Follow Commercial down a steep hill and at the bottom find the trail to the left.

“The Four Seasons of Blackbird Island”
Just a few blocks from the hustle and bustle of downtown Leavenworth lays a birdwatcher’s haven. Nestled along the Wenatchee River, Blackbird Island is home and refuge to an assortment of wildlife. The diverse habitat hosts seasonal favorites from Bald Eagles and Osprey fishing the rapids, to a large variety of warblers and other spring migrants. Flashes of color in the thickets could be a Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting or American Goldfinches. Secretive tree nesters such as Wood Ducks are common, as are a variety of other waterfowl. Canada Geese follow the river as a flyway and can be heard in almost all seasons. Black-headed Grosbeaks make short work of wild berry crops, and their cousins, Evening Grosbeaks, flash black, white, and yellow as they move about from each food source. The soft tapping echoing through the snow-covered wood could possibly be a Northern Flicker, Downy, Hairy Woodpecker or an industrious Black-capped Chickadee! California Quail can be seen scurrying through the underbrush and in spring young ones follow their parents as if on a grand parade. Late summer skies can be laced with raptors as they prepare to fly south. Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and an occasional falcon ride the morning thermals. By winter, the power lines are adorned with hunting American Kestrels and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Walk softly and you may be treated to a sight of a deer, an otter or even a bear. Just the gentle flowing of the water, the rustle of the trees and closeness of wild things is enough to send any curious nature lover to Blackbird Island.” - Diana Peffer, Leavenworth Chamber