5 Best West Seattle Parks to Walk Your Dog
West Seattle has lush parks that are perfect for walking your dog. Each park has its own flavor depending on the terrain and neighborhood.
There are forest walks, waterfront walks, and even trails at an old 1941 boy scout camp! Whatever you decide, you’re sure to enjoy walking your dog at any one of these beautiful parks. For more help finding the best parks in your new city after relocating to Seattle, reach out to our Relocation Concierge today!
Please remember to stay on the trail, and keep your dog on a leash. This helps with erosion and encourages native species!
Lincoln Park
5 miles of beachfront and forest trails in a quaint architecturally interesting neighborhood by the Vashon Ferry. The park is popular, but large enough that you won’t feel overrun by people. A nice mix of privacy and the safety that comes with others being around.
The upper part of the park is almost all woods with some playgrounds and athletic fields throughout. There are multiple parking lots. For a nice longer loop park in the most southern lot “Lincoln Park Lot 2” off Fauntleroy Way SW and Cloverdale. If that’s full there’s a larger lot if you head north, or you can park across the street. Permits are required for overnight parking only.
Stay in the forested upper area and make your way west until you hit a wide dirt path with a fence that runs along the cliffs that overlook the water. You can turn left to go downhill to the beach at a few different points, and then follow the bike path on the beach all the way back to your car.
On the beach take note of Colman pool, a public saltwater pool with panoramic views of The Puget Sound built in 1941. It has limited hours, but is its own destination.
Alki Beach
While dogs aren’t technically allowed on the sandy beach, the bike path along Alki beach runs right along the water. It’s a beautiful, lively, beachfront vibe that feels like California with a Pacific Northwest twist.
In the summer Alki Beach can often be packed with people, and parking can be tough, but it’s worth it. Don’t shy away in the winter though, the fresh air by the water with no crowds is worth a visit.
Camp Long
An old boyscout camp on 68 acres with old growth forest, aerial rope course, 100 year old rock climbing wall, and rustic cabins.
This little known gem was built in 1941 and has some nice walking trails. Piece together a nice short sub 1 mile walk on the upper portion of the park with little elevation change, or you can explore the trails that go down the hill on the eastern side.
Make sure to bring plenty of water if you head east, the trails can get confusing. They ultimately lead to a lower elevation road, which you can cross and continue on the trail which follows a small creek. There aren’t many people on the eastern trails so you’ll likely be alone, and it is a steep incline back up.
There is plenty of parking, but the park has some limited hours, especially on Sundays. It can be a little tough to find. If you’re heading north on 35th ave you’ll see a small old brown sign that says park right before you need to take a right on Dawson St. You’ll see a large stone building at the end of a short road, to the right of that is the parking lot.
Seahurst Park
Just south of White Center is another little known beauty called Seahurst Park. The waterfront trail is dirt, and goes in either direction from the lower parking area. If you head north the trail snakes up along the steep beach cliffs along the water. You’ll often find a couple other people hiking up, but not many. It’s an alternative to the busier Lincoln Park, with a nice defined hillside hike if you’re looking to really burn some energy. Check out historic downtown Burien with it’s surprisingly awesome food scene afterwards, or take a scenic drive through Three Tree Point. An area of the Burien waterfront that was only accessible by steamboat for decades!
Shoreline Street Ends
For a smaller often empty beach park take a look at Seattle’s shoreline street ends, also known as dead end beaches. Wherever a public street meets the shoreline, is a small public beach. These small public beaches are all over the city, but the ones on the western edge of West Seattle are a treat. They’re little known, and often a nice quiet place to sit. The streets in the neighborhoods nearby are a treat, you can make an exploratory trip out of your walk to each beach.
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