Hike Discovery Park Loop Trail at Discovery Park

Rating	★★★☆☆(3/5)
Overall Difficulty	Easy
Navigation Difficulty	Easy
Distance	2.8 miles roundtrip
Time	1.5 hours
Terrain	A few hills
Best Seasons	All
Family Friendly	Yes
Dog Friendly	Yes
Accessible	No

Highlights

Beautiful coastal views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains
Densely forested park within Seattle city limits

Hike Summary

Discovery Park is Seattle's largest park, and the Loop Trail is a designated National Recreation Trail that circles this urban beauty. The trail is generally wide and flat, and signposts at every intersection point the way for the Loop Trail. Most of the trail travels through a thick forest like pictured below. If you're new to the area like me, you'll be amazed at how moss covers seemingly every surface.

A massive, gnarly tree covered in moss

On the western edge of the park, you'll have views of Puget Sound and, on a clear day, the frequently snow-covered Olympic Mountains. This is the best part of the hike, and you can enjoy the views pictured below from a handful of benches. If you want to enjoy more of this scenery, you can take the South Beach Trail down to the beach and lighthouse, adding a bit more than a mile to your hike.

Clouds obscure the Olympic Mountains

Puget Sound from the Loop Trail

Discovery Park is definitely somewhere to visit while you're in Seattle. Read more about the hike and current conditions on the Loop Trail's Washington Trails Association page. Connect with me using the social media links below and share your adventures!

Important Information

Dogs are allowed on leash. This flat, wide trail is great for the entire family. You can visit in any season, though views are best on a clear day. Expect to see many people on the hike unless you are hiking very early in the morning.

Directions

Located on the far western edge of Seattle in the Magnolia neighborhood, Discovery Park is not freeway-adjacent. The city streets you use depend heavily on where you're coming from. The urban location also means you can consider using transit or riding your bike. Click the Google Maps link to find the best way.

Google Maps Directions

Parking, Fees, and Facilities

Parking is free! There are restrooms in the visitor center. If this lot is full, there are two other parking lots or you can park on the street -- since this trail circles the entire park, you can access it easily from anywhere.

Nearby Hikes

Poo Poo Point has an amazing view of Mt. Ranier

Poo Poo Point via Chirico Trail
West Tiger Mountain Natural Resources Conservation Area, Washington
★★★★☆(4/5)

Middle Wallace Falls shrouded in mist and surrounded by moss

Wallace Falls
Wallace Falls State Park, Washington
★★★★☆(4/5)

Discovery Park Loop Trail

Discovery Park, Washington

Hike Information