Nestled in the heart of Seattle, Discovery Park spans nearly 600 acres. Each year, more than one million visitors from all 50 states and over 30 countries experience this natural, open space. From its lush forests and open meadows, to its diverse wildlife, its beaches and sweeping views of the Salish Sea.
Wildlife
Discovery Park is home to all kinds of rare and wonderful wildlife. These animals thrive across the Park’s many diverse habitats.
Forest and Meadows
More than 25 species of mammals make their homes in Discovery park, including deer, coyotes, squirrels, and mountain beavers. How many can you spot?
Beach
Discovery Park’s south and north beaches are great places to see harbor seals, sea lions, river otters, shorebirds and the West Point Lighthouse.
Birders Paradise
Did you know Discovery Park is visited by more bird species any other park in Washington State? Nearly 300 different birds have been seen in the Park’s meadows, forests, and beaches. Some notable birds include the Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl, and Ravens—a rarity in the city!
Whales!
If you’re lucky you might see orca whales, gray whales, humpback whales, pilot whales, or Dall’s porpoise passing by the beaches at Discovery Park. The bluff, near trail markers #10 and #12 are also a good spots to look for whales. The Orca Network is a good resource for whale spotting information.
Trails
Whether you’re looking for a brisk walk or a long hike, Discovery Park’s vast trail system has something for everybody. Friends of Discovery Park’s trail marker system gives visitors a map of the Park’s most popular pathways. Next time you’re visiting, scan the QR code on trail markers to download a free map.
Loop Trail
LENGTH: 2.8 miles
VERTICAL: 220 feet
TRAVEL TIME: 1 – 1.5 hours
The longest trail in Discovery Park, the Loop Trail features a crushed rock or dirt surface, varying in width from 3 to 8 feet. This scenic route winds through diverse forest and grassland landscapes, offering stunning views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains from multiple viewpoints along the South Bluff. The mostly level to gently rolling terrain makes for a pleasant walk, though the trail is not ADA compliant due to occasional steep and uneven sections. However, there are no stairs, making it accessible for baby strollers and those with partially impaired vision.
The Loop Trail is a fantastic starting point for the other major trails in the park, described below.
South Beach Trail
LENGTH: 0.7 miles
VERTICAL: 280 feet
TRAVEL TIME: 15 – 25 minutes
Beginning at Trail Marker 12 on the Loop Trail, the South Beach Trail descends through a lush forest of deciduous and coniferous trees—keep an ear out for woodpeckers along the way. This is the most popular route to the Lighthouse and South Beach. The trail varies from 3 to 5 feet in width, with a mix of crushed rock and dirt. In winter, sections can become muddy.
This trail is not ADA compliant due to five staircases, some of which are in poor condition. The trail concludes at Discovery Park Boulevard, just a short walk from the beach.
North Beach Trail
LENGTH: 1.2 miles
VERTICAL: 190 feet
TRAVEL TIME: 25 – 35 minutes
The North Beach Trail starts about 500 yards north of the Loop Trail at Trail Marker 17 and leads to the Lighthouse. The upper portion of this trail has the steepest grades in the park and includes three sets of stairs. Some wooded sections remain muddy year-round, with a dirt trail width ranging from 2 to 5 feet.
Upon reaching a terrace approximately 20 feet above the beach, hikers are rewarded with a flat section of crushed rock path, 6 to 8 feet wide, running parallel to Puget Sound. At low tide, it is possible to walk along the beach to the Lighthouse and even continue to South Beach. Keep an eye out for sea lions and seals. The North Beach Trail is not ADA compliant.
Hidden Valley Trail
LENGTH: 0.8 miles
VERTICAL: 190 feet
TRAVEL TIME: 15 – 20 minutes
A hidden gem within Discovery Park, the Hidden Valley Trail meanders through a dense forest with thick undergrowth. It begins at Trail Marker 17 on the Loop Trail and ends just uphill from the Lighthouse and South Beach.
A restroom is conveniently located at the lower end of the trail. The path consists primarily of dirt, ranging in width from 3 to 6 feet. It is not ADA compliant, featuring a long wooden staircase and two short bridges over spring-fed creeks.
Wolf Tree Nature Trail
LENGTH: 0.25 miles
VERTICAL: 50 feet
TRAVEL TIME: 20 – 30 minutes
The Wolf Tree Nature Trail starts and ends at a trailhead located to the right of the NW point of the North Parking Lot, along the paved path. This nature trail passes through forest and wetlands, and has the largest collection of native species in Discovery Park. It can be partially muddy or slippery in spots.
Trees along the way include alder, bigleaf maples, Douglas fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock. On the ground, look for plants, including ferns, shamrocks, trillium, salmonberry, and skunk cabbage. (Skunk cabbage is especially smelly when it blooms, but the smell fades by March!) Listen for birds such as owls, robins, Rufus hummingbirds, thrushes, chickadees, kinglets, nuthatches, Coopers hawks, and wrens.
At the junction, turn left to head back to the trailhead and complete the loop. Turning right, you’ll pass by ponds and arrive at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. This is a family-friendly, short loop trail that’s mostly flat and partially on boardwalks. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
500 Area Loop Trail
LENGTH: 1.3 miles
VERTICAL: 30-40 feet
TRAVEL TIME: 30 – 40 minutes
The 500 Area Loop Trail is rich in military history. It includes the site of a former Nike-Hercules Cold War missile installation, which was closed in the 1970s and later torn down. The 500 Area once included temporary buildings where thousands of soldiers were housed. Today, thanks to the efforts of Friends of Discovery Park, the area has been completely reforested.
The trailhead starts and ends at the north end of the south parking lot off Emerson Street. The route follows both paved pathways and dirt paths. Sites along the trail include a beautiful vista overlooking the former parade grounds, a radar tower that was part of the air defense system (and is now an FAA site), and the hillside white chapel and nearby veterans memorial for troops who perished in the Korean War. This is a family-friendly loop trail that’s fairly flat with some up and down.
One of the best aspects of Discovery Park’s trail system is the ability to customize your route. For example, combining the Loop Trail, North Beach Trail, and South Beach Trail creates a 4.5-mile walk with a total elevation gain of 485 feet. Numerous additional trails crisscross the park, offering endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
Historic District
The former Fort Lawton parade grounds and historic buildings provide a spectacular snapshot of this area’s storied history. View an online tour of the district.
Environmental Learning Center & Visitor Center
The Discovery Park Environmental Learning & Visitor Center offers year-round education opportunities, from hands-on learning experiences to fostering community connections. The Visitor Center is located near the east entrance to Discovery Park.
Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center is a land base and community center for Native Americans in the Seattle area. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center was completed by the United Indians of All Tribes in 1977. The Center includes the Sacred Circle Gallery and gift shop, and hosts the annual Seattle Powwow and Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
“The greatest single attribute of this site is its natural beauty. In the development of this park the most important signal consideration must therefore be the preservation and enhancement of that beauty.”
– the Discovery Park Master Plan