Education Center

The Cedar River Watershed Education Center is a regional education facility created as a gathering place to connect people with the source of their water. Nestled above the shores of Rattlesnake Lake (pdf) in the Cascade foothills, the Center is a gateway to the Cedar River Municipal Watershed, which provides drinking water for 70% of the 1.4 million people living in the greater Seattle area.

The Center provides opportunities for thousands of visitors to learn about the complex issues surrounding the region's drinking water, forests and wildlife. There are a variety of ways to connect to the source of your water and the Cedar River Watershed.

Activities and Exhibits

• View our watershed tours and programs. Registration for all public tours opens April 1.
• Register 4th and 5th grade classes for our school programs.
• For younger or older students, we offer two group visits options.
• Subscribe to our Watershed e-newsletter.
• Find out more about renting rooms at the Education Center.
• Discover more about the Education Center's features and exhibits.
• Can't make it to the Center? Browse our online learning resources.

Directions and Hours

We are located about 35 miles east of downtown Seattle near North Bend. From Seattle take I-90 east to exit 32 (436th Ave SE/Cedar Falls Road SE). Go south (right) on Cedar Falls Road for 4 miles. The Center is located near the end of the road, past Rattlesnake Lake (on right) and Iron Horse State Park (on left). View on Google Maps or download printable directions (pdf).

Cedar River Watershed Education Center
17905 Cedar Falls Road S.E.
North Bend, WA
(206) 733-9421
(425) 831-6780
CRWPrograms@seattle.gov

The Education Center is open year-round, Tuesday to Sunday:

• November - March: Tuesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (wet season)
• April - October: Tuesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (dry season)

The Center is closed on Mondays, Independence Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

The Center's Heritage Library is open Sundays from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. If you are a researcher, you can schedule an appointment to come in Tuesday through Sunday depending on staff or volunteer availability. Please call (206) 733-9421 to plan a visit.

Note: The Center's Rain Drums shut off when the temperature drops below 34 degrees (F) to protect the system from freeze damage.

Additional Resources

• North Bend weather conditions at WeatherBug.
• Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)
• Saving Water Partnership