Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku, invites people to experience nature in a different way. Rather than focusing on distance, elevation gain, or reaching a destination, the practice encourages slowing down, engaging your senses, and being fully present in the natural world.
With its forests, meadows, beaches, and quiet trails, Seattle’s Discovery Park offers an ideal setting to practice forest bathing and reconnect with nature. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful walk or simply a place to pause, the park’s diverse landscapes provide opportunities to experience many of the benefits that researchers continue to associate with spending time in nature.
“I’m standing in a wooded area of Seattle’s Discovery Park. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, my eyes are closed. I’m with Michael Stein-Ross, a certified forest therapy guide, who is leading me through a sort of meditation by asking me to become aware of each of my senses. This is my first time forest bathing.”
This reflection comes from Rachel Belle’s KIRO Radio interview with Michael Stein-Ross.
Discovery Park Was Designed for Moments Like These
The Puget Sound region was fortunate to have had visionary leaders during the creation of Seattle’s Discovery Park.
The Daniel Urban Kiley Master Plan envisioned an open space that would provide:
“A place of quiet and tranquility for the citizens of this city — a sanctuary where they might escape the turmoil of the city and enjoy the rejuvenation which quiet and solitude and an intimate contact with nature can bring.”
More than 50 years later, that vision continues to resonate. As conversations about mental well-being, stress reduction, and time in nature have grown, Discovery Park remains one of Seattle’s most important places for quiet reflection and restoration.
What is Forest Bathing?
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan in the early 1980s as a way to encourage people to spend intentional time immersed in nature.
Unlike hiking, forest bathing isn’t about reaching a summit or covering miles. Instead, it encourages participants to move slowly, notice the sights, sounds, textures, and scents around them, and experience the forest with curiosity and mindfulness.
Since the practice was introduced, a growing body of research has explored how time spent in natural environments may support physical and mental well-being. Studies have found associations between spending time in forests and reduced stress, improved mood, lower blood pressure, and increased feelings of relaxation. While individual experiences vary and nature isn’t a substitute for medical care, many people find forest bathing to be a meaningful way to reconnect with both nature and themselves.
The Atlantic highlights the growing appeal of forest bathing, particularly in urban areas where people are looking for accessible ways to reconnect with nature. As the magazine explains, many people think of spending time outdoors as either a leisurely walk in the park or an ambitious mountain hike. Forest bathing bridges that gap by encouraging people to slow down, immerse themselves in the natural world, and allow nature itself to become a source of relaxation and restoration.
Learning More About Forest Bathing
The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) is a leading organization dedicated to forest bathing and forest therapy. Founded by Amos Clifford, ANFT provides guide training and educational resources throughout the United States and around the world.
If you are interested in learning more about forest bathing or becoming a certified forest therapy guide, visit the ANFT website.
Experience Discovery Park for Yourself
Whether you’re looking for a quiet forest walk, a scenic trail, or an opportunity to observe birds and other wildlife, Discovery Park offers countless ways to reconnect with nature.
Explore our Maps & Trails page to find a route that matches your interests, learn more about planning your visit on our Visit Discovery Park page, and discover some of the wildlife that calls the park home on our Wildlife page.
Stay connected with Friends of Discovery Park by signing up for our newsletter to receive stories, volunteer opportunities, restoration updates, and upcoming events.