Parks & Trails

Puget Sound region — Snohomish County to King County

Snohomish County — Waterfront

Kayak Point County Park

Snohomish Co

300-ft fishing pier, boat launch, camping, beach. Best crabbing pier in the county. 15 mi north of Mukilteo on Marine View Dr.

Mukilteo Lighthouse Park

Mukilteo

Historic 1906 lighthouse, accessible beach, boat launch, picnic area. Adjacent to ferry terminal and new fishing pier.

Picnic Point Park

Snohomish Co

700 ft shoreline, beach at low tide, ravine trail to water. Quieter alternative to Mukilteo. 3 mi south.

Meadowdale Beach Park

Snohomish Co

1.25-mile trail through old-growth to beach. Loons Creek estuary. No vehicle access to beach. Best beachcombing south of Mukilteo.

Howarth Park

Everett

City park with beach access, playground, trail through ravine, railroad crossing to shoreline. Views of Whidbey Island.

Jetty Island

Everett

Free summer ferry from Marine Park. 2-mile sandy beach, warm shallow water, bird watching. July-Sept only.

Langus Riverfront Park

Everett

Snohomish River estuary trails, bird watching, boat launch to river. Spencer Island wildlife area adjacent.

South Snohomish / North King — Waterfront

Edmonds Waterfront Park

Edmonds

Fishing pier, Brackett's Landing underwater dive park, marina, beach. Marine sanctuary. Ferry terminal adjacent.

Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

King Co Shoreline

Beach access, railroad crossing, picnic shelters. Views south toward Seattle skyline and Olympics.

Carkeek Park

Seattle

220 acres. Beach via pedestrian bridge over tracks. Piper's Creek salmon spawning (Nov-Dec). Tide pools at low tide. Forest trails.

Golden Gardens Park

Ballard

Largest beach in north Seattle. Boat launch, fire pits, off-leash dog area. Sunset views of Olympic Mountains. Wetland loop trail.

Seattle — Lake Washington & Ship Canal

Magnuson Park (Sand Point)

Seattle

350 acres. Public boat launch on Lake Washington, beach, fishing, sports fields, community gardens, art walk. Former Naval Air Station.

Seward Park

Seattle

300 acres on Bailey Peninsula. Old-growth forest, 2.4-mile loop trail, fishing pier, swimming beach, amphitheater. Eagle nesting.

Gas Works Park

Seattle

Lake Union waterfront. Former gasification plant. Kite hill with skyline views. Kayak/paddleboard launch. No fishing.

Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden

Ballard

At the Ballard Locks. 7 acres, 500+ species, free admission. Adjacent to fish ladder and lock viewing.

East Side — Kirkland, Mercer Island, Renton

Marina Park (Kirkland)

Kirkland

Waterfront park, fishing pier, swimming beach, public dock. Downtown Kirkland walking distance. Lake Washington access.

Luther Burbank Park

Mercer Island

North end of Mercer Island. Fishing dock, swimming, off-leash dog park, amphitheater. Lake Washington views.

Gene Coulon Memorial Park

Renton

South end of Lake Washington. Boat launch, fishing pier, swimming, 0.5-mile boardwalk, restaurants. Large public park.

Kenmore Boat Launch

Kenmore

North end of Lake Washington. Public ramp, access to Sammamish River. Burke-Gilman Trail passes through. Log Boom Park adjacent.

Inland Trails

Interurban Trail

Snohomish Co

Everett to Seattle on former electric railway. Flat, paved, good for cycling. Connects to Burke-Gilman at county line.

Burke-Gilman Trail

King Co

27 miles. Ballard to Kenmore along Ship Canal and Lake Washington north shore. Connects to Sammamish River Trail east.

Centennial Trail

Snohomish Co

30 miles. Snohomish to Arlington along the Stillaguamish River. Flat, paved, good for cycling and running.