Located 15 miles east of Tacoma, the city of Bonney Lake sits above the Puyallup River Valley, offering gorgeous views of vistas ranging from Victor Falls and Lake Tapps to Mount Rainier. In addition to views, the city has found another unique way to entice families outdoors: searching for gnome home doors.
The fun started several years ago when city councilmember Laurie Carter read about a tiny door in a tree in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Curious people were coming from all over to see the mysterious “gnome door.” She emailed a picture of the door to fellow councilmember Tom Watson, who happens to be a woodcarver.
“Could you carve one of these?” Carter asked.
He could and did — 10 times over. Watson initially carved and painted 10 unique doors that he placed on trees around Bonney Lake; eight doors remain for families to search for.
Want to join the gnome home hunt? The doors can be found in large and small parks, on hiking trails and even at the Bonney Lake Library. Check out our map of gnome door locations and use the arrows above the image to find hints for locating each one. Happy hunting!
1. Allan Yorke Park
Tiffany Doerr Guerzon
Amazing Allan Yorke Park, located at the south end of Lake Tapps, is worth a visit even without the two gnome home doors to find. Perks include picnic areas, sport courts, a skate park, playground area, snack shack and a grassy meadow for playing. Across the street, you can swim in Lake Tapps and rent kayaks and paddle boards. Bookmark this spot for a future visit when you could easily spend a whole day!
Gnome hint: Speaking of picnics, look for the first gnome home door around the picnic areas near the main entrance. The second gnome door is hidden across the street near the parking lot with the sign Ballfield #4, off of Bonney Lake Boulevard E. Rumor has it that you can also spot an eagle’s nest in this area.
Midtown Park is city property that’s currently a natural area and under development for a future park. The entrance to the park’s network of trails is located behind Fred Meyer on highway 410. But you won’t have to go far to find the gnome door. Note: There were previously two gnome doors at this location, but just one remains.
Gnome hint: Find the clearning and the map kiosk — and be sure to look up!
Do gnomes like to read? They must, because they have made a home in one of the trees near the Bonney Lake Library. Kids will love finding this easy-to-spot gnome home door before or after a future library visit (the library is temporarily closed).
Gnome hint: Look around the trees in the grassy area next to the library building.
Located near the northwest shore of the lake for which the town of Bonney Lake is named, Ken Simmons Park features a playset, benches and a short trail but — heads up — no restrooms. Parking is limited.
Gnome hint: Walk along a path lined with stones that runs parallel behind the playset. You will see a dirt trail offshoot that looks like it goes straight into the trees. Follow this until you see a little pond. Find the door near to and facing the water. It might be fruit-themed.
The trailhead to the Fennel Creek Trail is located on a residential street in a suburban neighborhood in the southern part of Bonney Lake. Once you find the address, look for a paved road between two houses. If you see a white stormwater facility sign, you are in the right place. Drive in and park in the small parking lot. (Note: There are no restrooms.) The trail marked as a path to Victor Falls Elementary begins with a boardwalk then goes sharply uphill in a series of steep steps, making for a scenic, mile-long hike for all but the littlest kids. There is also another flat trail to the left of the boardwalk that offers peek-a-boo views of Fennel Creek and the stormwater pond.
Gnome hint: If you’re not up for hills, walking the stretch of boardwalk will likely reveal the gnome door!
Bring the family pooch to help you sniff out this gnome home at the Bonney Lake dog park next to Bonney Lake Elementary School. The fenced off-leash area offers a nice walking trail around the periphery of the park.
Gnome hint: To find the door, you will need to venture off the main trail. You will see several offshoots from the main path that lead to the center of the park. You’ll find a door on a tree on one of these smaller trails.
Nestled in a residential area on the south side of town, this park was built around the Bonney Lake Skystone, a huge glacial erratic that is thought to have been used by early Native Americans, possibly to map the constellations. The trailhead is located between two houses, but it’s easy to see from the street. Be aware that there are only two parking spots (and one is the designated ADA spot) but you can park along the street in the cul-de-sac. The park features a small playset and hiking trail, but no restrooms. After you check out the Skystone, there is an out-and-back hiking trail with a gentle incline that is about a mile long.
Gnome hint: There is a gravel path behind the Skystone enclosure. Walk down that path a bit and see the door up high.
“Runnery Granary” by Nancy Farmer: Someone is stealing grain from the granary! Could it be gnomes?
“Go Big or Go Gnome” by Kirsten Mayer: Poor Al the garden gnome can’t grow a beard, but he has another special talent.
“No, No Gnome” by Ashlyn Anstee: Gnome cannot wait to help in the school garden, but his excitement gets him into trouble.
“Gnomes” by Wil Hygen: This is an encyclopedia-like book about the lives of gnomes. The text is adult level, but kids will love the bright illustrations.
“Little Winter Book of Gnomes” by Kirsten Sevig: Literally a tiny little book, this volume is a sweet collection of gnome wisdom and stories.
“Gnomeo & Juliet”: Cute movie about battling garden gnome families with a great Elton John soundtrack.
Editor’s notes: The gnome door that was in Cedarview Park is no longer there, and the park is currently closed. This article was originally published a few years ago and updated for 2020.
Tiffany Doerr Guerzon is an essayist, book author, freelance writer, writing instructor and mixed media artist. Her work has been featured ParentMap magazine, CNN.com, Parents.com, Grown and Flown, two Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, Motherwell, Sky Island Journal, Hippocampus Magazine and many more publications. She received a Gold award in General Feature Writing, issued
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