Discovery Park and Lighthouse Loop Trail is a 4.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Seattle, Washington that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until December. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The park provides an open space away from the stress and activity of the city, a sanctuary for wildlife, and an outdoor classroom for people to learn about the natural world. The park is also home to the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Discovery Park is a 534 acre natural area park, located next to the peninsular Magnolia neighborhood in Seattle, and overlooking Puget Sound, with views of the Cascade and Olympic mountains. The park is built on the historic grounds of Fort Lawton, which was originally a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War. The park includes two miles of protected tidal beaches, a lighthouse, open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets, and streams. No dogs allowed on the beach.
To get to the North Parking Lot Continue going through the park past the Visitor Center. Take a right following signs to get to North Parking Lot. Also see signs to Daybreak Star. Beach Parking Permit Permits for beach parking are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center Tuesday thru Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Permits are only for those who otherwise would not be able to get to the beach - families with children under 8, people over 62, and others who are not physically able to walk to the beach doe to an injury, illness or some other physical condition. Facilities Visitor Center Children's play area Picnic tables Tennis courts Park Hours Daily 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Visitor Center Hours Tuesday-Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed holidays
Phone: (206) 386-4236 Email: discover@seattle.gov
-5 Northbound: Take the Mercer Street exit. Turn right at first stoplight onto Fairview Ave N. At next set of stoplights go left onto Valley St. Stay in far right lane that merges onto Westlake Avenue N. Westlake Ave becomes Nickerson Street. Go straight on Nickerson Street past Fremont Bridge and Seattle Pacific University. Staying in left lane follow the sign to the Ballard Bridge/Emerson Street. At 3 way stop take a left onto Emerson St. Continue on Emerson St., through one stop light, until you get to a 4 way stop with a flashing light. Turn right onto West Gilman West Gilman becomes Discovery Park Blvd Follow Discovery Park Blvd until you come to the east entrance of the Park. (about 1/2 mile) The Visitor Center will be on the left. I-5 Southbound: Take the 45th Street Exit and head west (right). Follow 45th, staying to the right. 45th becomes 46th Avenue North. Follow 46th until it becomes Market Street. Continue on Market until you reach 15th Avenue NW. Go left on 15th Avenue NW, following it over the Ballard Bridge. Take the first right after the bridge onto Emerson Street. Take a right onto West Gilman at the 4 way flashing light. W. Gilman becomes Discovery Park Blvd. Follow until you come to the East entrance of the Park. (about 1/2 mile) The Visitor Center will be on the left
January 16, 2021January 13, 2021Nice walk with pawrents!
January 12, 2021A bit muddy, but to be expected. Very pretty trail otherwise. A little of everything- forests, beach, history, etc. Definitely a must see- if you’re in town for a while and are grabbing at things to do with the covid shut down!
January 10, 2021One of my favs! Went in Oct: it was gloomy and foggy but felt magical. And even though we couldn’t see as much, it was still beautiful
January 10, 2021Crowded, but you can’t beat those views!
January 9, 2021Crowded, but you can’t beat those views!
January 9, 2021January 9, 2021It was 4.7 miles and took me 2 hours to complete.
January 9, 2021January 8, 2021Fairly easy and not too muddy! good to go in the morning when there’s not a lot of people and the views are beautiful, especially love the staircase in the forest
January 7, 2021Coyote standoff but somehow o don’t think it was that big of a threat. Beautiful and muddy
January 3, 2021Muddy in some spots but nice views. Beach was windy but walk in a little and you're out of the wind.
January 3, 2021Trail was pretty good. Muddy in a few places, but to be expected after the rainfall we've gotten lately. It was very windy today by the beach. More crowded than I'm used to but people were masked up. Lots of stairs!
December 31, 2020Great hike. Not crowded. Muddy in spots.
December 29, 2020December 28, 2020It was a bit muddy on the back side of the trail. It was pretty magical to see Mt Rainer and the sound. Well trafficked. It was pretty busy but it was sunny in December so
December 27, 2020December 26, 2020December 26, 2020It was stunning trail.
December 22, 2020December 13, 2020Easy hike.. Close for renovation .5 mile after the Lighthouse
December 12, 2020December 8, 2020December 7, 2020December 6, 2020December 6, 2020December 5, 2020December 4, 2020December 3, 2020WTA workers were out fixing it up, very nice.
December 2, 2020
