Carkeek Park
Carkeek Park
4.5
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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Address
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Best nearby
Restaurants
400 within 3 miles
Attractions
291 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
63 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
23
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Mags
8 contributions
Dec 2019
If you are going to visit this park and any other park with marine life, LEAVE THE WILDLIFE ALONE.
Do not touch or pick up starfish, leave the plants animals where they are so they can live in peace and be undisturbed.
Please respect the surrounding area by enjoying it & leaving it be.
This is a slice of heaven tucked away behind the bustling city and it is our responsibility to handle it with care and live in unison with the life that has been there far longer than us humans.
Enjoy this beautiful park, clean up after yourself, and respect the ecosystems that are present here by looking and not touching.
<3 much love
Do not touch or pick up starfish, leave the plants animals where they are so they can live in peace and be undisturbed.
Please respect the surrounding area by enjoying it & leaving it be.
This is a slice of heaven tucked away behind the bustling city and it is our responsibility to handle it with care and live in unison with the life that has been there far longer than us humans.
Enjoy this beautiful park, clean up after yourself, and respect the ecosystems that are present here by looking and not touching.
<3 much love
Written August 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudetteth
Cornwall, Canada2,318 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
When I want to go for a walk and get totally engrossed with nature, I head to this park. The access to the park is right behind QFC grocery store on Holman NW near 6th Ave NW. The path works its way down by a creek and you can easily follow the main path all the way out to Puget Sound. There are lots of bridge and lovely views of trees covered in moss. You will walk by a farm with fruit trees, a water processing plant and finally when you get to Puget Sound, there is a walkway that takes you over the railroad track that runs right along the beach. the walkway will take you right to the beach. The beach is a rocky beach lovely for sight seeing but not for bathing. It takes about 20 mins to walk from the entrance by the QFC to Puget Sound.
Written December 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeattleYo_Mama
Seattle124 contributions
Sep 2012 • Family
Finding Carkeek Park can be a challenge, if your sense of direction is anything like mine. It is not on a main drag, but then, that is part of its charm. It's located in the north end of Seattle, & I heartily recommend a GPS & a second passenger who can help you watch street signs. It's worth the effort.
The parking area is below the park. It's a bit of an uphill hike, not bad for most folks, but someone who is elderly or disabled may find it too challenging. For the big majority of folks who can go up there, I recommend taking a picnic lunch or dinner, or if you are willing to carry a little hibachi or something like that, it's a lovely place to stay awhile.
Here's where you will find yourself after some effort: You're in a wide, grassy, meadow-like area where kids can safely run around, as long as they don't go clear down to the water. There are lots of picnic benches, so unless a large group has reserved it (great place for a family reunion, with a small covered area in case of one of our frequent Seattle mists), you will certainly be able to get one. And if you are there at sunset, have your camera ready. You have a panoramic view of the sun going down behind Puget Sound, with a beautiful park as its frame.
If you are not from the Pacific NW, be advised that even in summer, you will want a light jacket, sweatshirt, or sweater for evenings, even in the summer time.
Though I have not been there myself, somewhere in this vast park there's an apple orchard, open to the public. My daughter's school held a school event at the park, and someone brought a cider press. An apple-gathering expedition preceded the event, and we all had a big cup of delicious fresh cider (we also brought apples so as not to hog too many that were for the public). If you like hiking and back-to-nature activities, this is something you and your family or significant other might consider as well.
When I went the park was free and open at all hours. Double check before going; since the fiscal clock ran out, some parks have limited hours or fees, so it is possible, though unlikely that your choices are more limited.
The parking area is below the park. It's a bit of an uphill hike, not bad for most folks, but someone who is elderly or disabled may find it too challenging. For the big majority of folks who can go up there, I recommend taking a picnic lunch or dinner, or if you are willing to carry a little hibachi or something like that, it's a lovely place to stay awhile.
Here's where you will find yourself after some effort: You're in a wide, grassy, meadow-like area where kids can safely run around, as long as they don't go clear down to the water. There are lots of picnic benches, so unless a large group has reserved it (great place for a family reunion, with a small covered area in case of one of our frequent Seattle mists), you will certainly be able to get one. And if you are there at sunset, have your camera ready. You have a panoramic view of the sun going down behind Puget Sound, with a beautiful park as its frame.
If you are not from the Pacific NW, be advised that even in summer, you will want a light jacket, sweatshirt, or sweater for evenings, even in the summer time.
Though I have not been there myself, somewhere in this vast park there's an apple orchard, open to the public. My daughter's school held a school event at the park, and someone brought a cider press. An apple-gathering expedition preceded the event, and we all had a big cup of delicious fresh cider (we also brought apples so as not to hog too many that were for the public). If you like hiking and back-to-nature activities, this is something you and your family or significant other might consider as well.
When I went the park was free and open at all hours. Double check before going; since the fiscal clock ran out, some parks have limited hours or fees, so it is possible, though unlikely that your choices are more limited.
Written April 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary M
Seattle, WA31 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
I took my teenage grandchildren down there when they first arrived in Seattle last summer. I grew up close enough to this park to walk there and I still love it! Love walking over the bridge and waving to the conductors in the train, and searching for shells in the sand and walking barefoot in the water. A great day!
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TomWall60
Rockville, MD638 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
If you have a car when touring Seattle, find this park, a short distance north of the downtown area. While the park itself is pretty, the views from the beach of the sound and Olympics are wonderful. You may also see some close ups of long freight trains servicing Seattle. Kids will like that. While we visited in the winter on a nice day, it must be really nice in the warmer month. Off the beaten path, but worth it.
Written January 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles T
Seattle, WA97 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
A great park within easy reach of downtown Seattle. The #28 bus from downtown finishes by the Eddie Mcabee entrance to the park.
The park has nice shady trails, babbling brooks, lovely views and is a very nice and refreshing break from urban Seattle. Take a picnic and relax. (If you forget, there is a QFC, Starbucks etc by the Eddie Mcabee entrance to the park.)
The park has nice shady trails, babbling brooks, lovely views and is a very nice and refreshing break from urban Seattle. Take a picnic and relax. (If you forget, there is a QFC, Starbucks etc by the Eddie Mcabee entrance to the park.)
Written July 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Omartaquito
Isla Mujeres, Mexico98 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
This park is so nice and beautiful. The feeling you get when you go there is almost as if you’re deep in a forest, not right beside Seattle.
There are plenty of spots to cook and grill, play sports and chill out in general. Probably my favorite park in the Seattle area.
There are train tracks passing between the beach and the park so I guess that’s not so nice.
There are plenty of spots to cook and grill, play sports and chill out in general. Probably my favorite park in the Seattle area.
There are train tracks passing between the beach and the park so I guess that’s not so nice.
Written November 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudetteth
Cornwall, Canada2,318 contributions
Dec 2016
Every time I come to Seattle, I love to go and walk at Carkeek Park. There are numerous paths beyond the main path that starts from behind the QFC on Holman street and leads to the waterfront. The main path is hilly only at the beginning, behind the QFC and then levels out pretty well all the way to the waterfront. If you are looking for more of a challenge, print a map of the park or download the map on your telephone. There are some great paths going up and down the ravine giving you great hilly workouts. When you do get to the waterfront, there is a set of stairs that takes you up and over the railroad tracks down to the beach. You will encounter lots of people with dogs at the park but there are areas where pets are not allowed as these are protected ecologically. I usually walk to the park but there is parking available onsite.
Written December 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yamhill
Katy, TX193 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
I think one of the pluses of living in Seattle is the city's proximity to salt water.
Carkeek Park not only allows a person to use the "k" sound twice in one word but does open up,also, a nice stretch of Puget Sound beach. I don't think I would put this in the swimmers beach category unless you are fond of splashing about in cold water...it is more for setting yourself down on a rock or a hunk of driftwood, breathing in some salt air and thinking, meditating, or reading a book.
If you like diesel locomotives heading up freight trains (and an occasional Amtrak) then you will particularly enjoy the view from the railroad pedestrian overpass that takes you to the beach.
To some the trains will be the highlight. To others the hiking trails. To others a picnic.
It is good that the city fathers had the foresight to carve out this niche of greenery for public use.
I find my visits to Carkeek Park always enjoyable.
Carkeek Park not only allows a person to use the "k" sound twice in one word but does open up,also, a nice stretch of Puget Sound beach. I don't think I would put this in the swimmers beach category unless you are fond of splashing about in cold water...it is more for setting yourself down on a rock or a hunk of driftwood, breathing in some salt air and thinking, meditating, or reading a book.
If you like diesel locomotives heading up freight trains (and an occasional Amtrak) then you will particularly enjoy the view from the railroad pedestrian overpass that takes you to the beach.
To some the trains will be the highlight. To others the hiking trails. To others a picnic.
It is good that the city fathers had the foresight to carve out this niche of greenery for public use.
I find my visits to Carkeek Park always enjoyable.
Written May 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tr4par
Vacaville, CA33 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We stayed about a block away from one of the entrances to this relatively small park and fell in love with it at first sight. As soon as you take a step, the outside world disappears, and although you still know it's there, you've entered another world. With a loop just over 3 miles that meanders through forest and then down to the water, it's a walk you could take every morning. We found that there are lots of these secret parks all over the city, but this was our favorite.
Written May 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo Z
Cold Ash, UK297 contributions
Are there any Bears there? I am thinking of going there with my daughter for a few hours, but don't want to go to a park that has bears, so I am looking at here and discovery Park. It is just fortwo women who are not used to hiking, but want a nice safe walk with views.
Chris K
Saint Paul, MN1,038 contributions
We have only been there once, but it is in the middle of the city, so I would not think that there are bears.
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Claim your listingCarkeek Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Carkeek Park
- Carkeek Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Hotels near Carkeek Park:
- (2.51 mi) Greenlake Guest House
- (6.36 mi) Shafer Baillie Mansion Bed and Breakfast
- (3.20 mi) Hotel Ballard
- (7.57 mi) Lotte Hotel Seattle
- (4.32 mi) Staypineapple, Watertown, University District
- Restaurants near Carkeek Park:
- (1.69 mi) Saffron Grill
- (3.77 mi) Paseo
- (3.36 mi) The Walrus and the Carpenter
- (3.71 mi) Rockcreek Seafood & Spirits
- (3.92 mi) Chinook's