As Thurston County weather warms, here are waterfalls, rivers and saltwater destinations

As the Olympia area is on track to see temperatures in the 80’s over Mother’s Day weekend, now is the perfect time to plan a local getaway to a peaceful spot in nature near the water. Some time near the water could be ideal for more than just enjoying a relaxing afternoon. It could be good for your health, too.

In fact, studies have found a positive correlation between lakes, rivers, oceans and other blue spaces - and mental health. That’s good news for residents in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area, which is surrounded by a range of natural water features.

A 2017 systematic review study found a “balance of evidence” which suggests a positive association between exposures to outdoor bodies of water and benefits to mental health, well-being and levels of physical activity. The study also stated that further research was needed. A visit to the beach can be deeply restorative, according to a study by the South African College of Applied Psychology.

“Staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves’ frequency and puts us into a mild meditative state. Listening to the waves activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which makes us more relaxed,” the study states.

Not only are blue spaces like rivers, oceans and lakes suspected to be linked to improvements in mental health, some research has found that people living near water have a lower risk of premature death and obesity.

Here are some of the most accessible and serene blue spaces around Thurston County:

Deschutes Falls Park

25005 Bald Hill Rd. SE, Yelm, WA 98597

9am-dusk daily

Situated in a rural part of the county but still a reasonable drive for a visit is Deschutes Falls Park in Yelm. Parts of the pathway to the 25-foot waterfall in this 155 acres of mixed habitat is fairly underdeveloped and there are steep grades, so proper footwear is essential. There are also a plethora of native plants, a 70-foot canyon and a 400-foot gorge, as well as natural rock monoliths and an historic log cabin.

To reach the waterfall, which you can view from a railed deck, follow the main path from the parking lot for about one-quarter of a mile. Veer to the right at the bottom of the hill when the path splits. To reach the park, starting from the SR 510 and SR 507 intersection at Yelm, take Bald Hill Rd. SE 15 miles until you reach the park entrance, where there is a parking lot.

Budd Inlet at Burfoot Park

Park - 6927 Boston Harbor Rd. NE, Olympia

Boat Launch - 73rd Ave. NE, Olympia

Open 9 a.m. to dusk daily

One of the area’s outdoor gems, Burfoot Park is a 65-acre park with 1,100 feet worth of saltwater beaches fronting Budd Inlet. In the main park area there is extensive parking as well as a playground, picnic areas with barbecue grills, restrooms, and shelters.

To reach the beach, you can take any of the half a dozen main trails leading off from the park’s main central area and shelter. Each nature trail branches and splits off at several points, but they all eventually lead to the beach, where you can see the Olympic Mountains and the state capitol rotunda building. To reach the park from downtown Olympia, take East Bay Drive at State Street until it turns into Boston Harbor Road for about 7.5 miles directly to the entrance.

Tumwater Falls at Brewery Park

110 Deschutes Way SW, Tumwater

Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily

Long a favorite for memorable walks by area residents, Tumwater Falls is a 15-acre park in an historic area that includes a mostly easy-to-walk and largely accessible half-mile loop around the Deschutes River and an 82-foot waterfall that ends in Capitol Lake. There is also a small playground, picnic tables, grassy fields, bathrooms, and salmon fish ladders where you can see the regional superstar spawning in the autumn. Recently-installed tanks at the trailhead are home to a new salmon hatchery and hold scores of baby salmon.

To reach the loop, go past the salmon hatchery. Along the trail, the rushing river and dramatic waterfalls are enhanced by small reflective pools and waterfalls, large rock features, and footbridges that will take you over the river. A small observation deck is situated midway on the loop, where you can linger in the ever-present cloud of mist from the falls. To get there from downtown Olympia, it’s just under three miles if you follow Capitol Boulevard to a right on Custer Way, then turn left on Boston Street, then left on Deschutes Way and you’ll see the entrance on the park and parking lot on the left.

Mima Falls at Capitol State Forest

North off intersection of Marksman St. SW and Marksman Rd. SW toward Littlerock

Open from dawn to dusk daily

Mima Falls is part of the sprawling 110,000-acre Capitol State Forest, with its 150 miles of trails, and is a great location for visiting with four-legged horse friends. The Mima Falls Trail system has extensive routes that are trail-friendly for horseback riding, as well as a horse ramp for trailers unloading and loading horses. The Mima Falls trail is only for non-motorized activity, including hiking, horseback riding and bicycle-riding. There are also areas to hike, or ride a bicycle or ATV. There are also campgrounds.

To get to Mima Falls in about 30 minutes hiking, take the Mima Falls West trail. There is a footbridge at the falls, a picnic table, and a lower trail for a different vantage point. To get to Capitol State Forest from downtown Olympia, it’s about 17 miles on I-5 south to exit 95 at Maytown. When you get to the end of Marksman Street, follow the gravel loop to reach the trailhead and parking lot. More detailed directions can be found here.

Capitol Lake at Heritage Park

5th Ave. SW & Water St. SW, Olympia

Capitol Lake is situated in downtown Olympia where the saltwater of Puget Sound ends at the boardwalk. The lake features about 1.6-miles of sidewalks and trails that hug the banks of the lake. Part of the original construction of the nearby state capitol campus, Heritage Park on its eastern shore provides a grassy area and viewing mounds that buffers from the nearby street.

The southern shore is home to Marathon Park, with broad grassy areas, restrooms, picnic tables and a continuing walkway that follows the lake’s western shore. Halfway up the western shore is the entrance to Hillside Trail, which leads to a stunning vista of downtown Olympia and the waterfront and Capitol Campus via a half-mile hillside trail with gentle switchbacks. Detailed maps of the trails can be found here.