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
Coyote standoff but somehow o don’t think it was that big of a threat. Beautiful and muddy
Muddy in some spots but nice views. Beach was windy but walk in a little and you're out of the wind.
Trail 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!
It 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