Fort Lewis
Prairies

Mima prairie expanse and forest edge. Wildflowers bloom across these "pimpled" plains from April until September. A 30-minute self-guided trail (1/2 mile) meanders through the mounds; hiking trails circle out into the 445-acre preserve, where bird watchers can enjoy the sights and sounds of the prairie and forest. Open daily dawn to dusk.

Directions To reach Waddell Creek Rd, take I-5 exit #95 (approx. 10 miles south of Olympia).  Go west on Maytown Road (128th St) approx. 10 miles until it dead ends.  Take a right which will take you to Waddell Creek Road.  Mima Mounds Natural Area will be a few miles down the road on your left. While you are in the Mima Mounds area, you may want to drive by the Glacial Heritage or Scatter Creek areas. These areas is normally closed to the public, but you can view birds from the road. White-tailed kites have been seen in this area.   Bird Watching Notes Typical birds include Meadowlark, White-crowned Sparrow, Swainson's Thrush, numerous butterflies, grasshoppers, and wildflowers.