Best Dog Walking Spots Near Seattle: Short Drives from the Seattle Metro Area
If you’re a dog owner living in the Seattle Metro Area or anywhere in the Greater Seattle Area, you know how important it is to find great places to walk and explore with your furry friend. Luckily, just a short drive from the city, the Puget Sound Region offers a variety of beautiful parks and trails that are perfect for dogs of all ages and energy levels. Whether you’re in Seattle, Redmond, Kirkland, Tacoma, or elsewhere in Western Washington, these spots will give your pup plenty of room to roam, sniff, and play.
Here are the top 7 dog walking spots near Seattle that are worth the trip:
1. Discovery Park (Magnolia, Seattle)
Discovery Park is a 560-acre natural area park operated by Seattle Parks and Recreation. It is the largest city park in Seattle, and occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site. Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular views of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active dunes, thickets and streams. The role of Discovery Park is to provide an open space of quiet and tranquility away from the stress and activity of the city, a sanctuary for wildlife, as well as an outdoor classroom for people to learn about the natural world. Maintained in its semi-natural condition, the park will continue to offer a biologically rich and diverse natural area for urban dwellers and an unmatched opportunity for environmental education. The Loop Trail is perfect for dogs who love a mix of terrain and scenery.
How to Get There: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qqYTwRBVFGFga9XHA
Parking: Parking lot available.
Hours: 4AM. to 11:30PM
2. Green Lake Park (North Seattle)
Green Lake is one of Seattle's most beloved parks. Its expanse of water and green space in the center of a dense urban neighborhood draws thousands of people daily from all over the city. The park serves as a natural preserve for hundreds of species of trees and plants, as well as numerous birds and waterfowl. The 2.8-mile path around the lake provides a perfect recreational spot for runners and walkers. Many others use the athletic fields or visit the park for boating, picnics and swimming. Ideal for social dogs who enjoy meeting other pups and people.
How to Get There: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wy4zy34qqdCvxUPb8
Parking: Parking lot available.
Hours: Open 24 hours
3. Seward Park (South Seattle)
Within the Seattle city limits, Seward Park boasts 300 acres of beautiful forest land, home to eagles' nests, old growth forest, a 2.4 mile bike and walking path, an amphitheater, a native plant garden, an art studio, miles of hiking trails, shoreline, beaches and more. This park is a peaceful escape not far from the city.
How to Get There: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uDfJpHMUzU7opb3f7
Parking: Parking lot available.
Hours: 6 AM–10 PM
4. Carkeek Park (Northwest Seattle)
Carkeek Park is a large park in north Seattle on the edge of the Blue Ridge and Broadview neighborhoods. The main entrance road loops down the 216-acre forested ravine to an expansive meadow and beach. Explore 6 miles of trails through forest, along creeks, meadows, wetlands, and beaver ponds. You will find a playground, picnic areas and shelters, beach and tide pool access over a pedestrian railroad bridge, demonstration gardens, an orchard, and spectacular Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain views. Volunteers work in the forest, trails, orchard, gardens, and salmon work year-round to keep this urban park healthy and welcoming.
How to Get There: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wYHW7J2WrKuFaaCe6
Parking: Parking lot available.
Hours: 6 AM–10 PM
5. Magnuson Park Off-Leash Area (North Seattle)
The Magnuson off-leash area contains 8.6 acres. It is a place where city hounds can romp with buddies in Seattle’s biggest fully-fenced back yard for canines. This off-leash area is the only one inside city limits with water access (Lake Washington’s freshwater shoreline).
The site has a large, generally flat play area, a winding trail with several open areas and changes of scenery along the way, and it gives dog owners and their dogs of all ages plenty of space to “work out”. Most of the trail is compact gravel and is wheelchair accessible.
This off-leash area has a small and shy dog area within the larger dog park.
How to Get There: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ZqRN968ovGw2PBn9
Parking: Parking lot available.
Hours: 4 AM–11:30 PM
6. Luther Burbank Park (Mercer Island)
Located on the northeast end of Mercer Island, Luther Burbank Park is a regional park with three-quarters of a mile of Lake Washington waterfront and facilities for water-based activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing. Much of the park has been left undeveloped to foster a variety of wildlife, including 135 species of birds, 50 species of waterfowl, raccoons, beaver, muskrats, tree frogs, and rabbits. Many of these animals live in the wetlands at the park’s north and south ends. This park has off-leash areas and lake access for pets and their owners who love water.
How to Get There: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ah9KJQWqbZizgf5m7
Parking: Parking lot available.
Hours: 6 AM–10 PM
7. Washington Park Arboretum (Seattle)
The Arboretum is a welcome oasis on the shores of Lake Washington. Jointly managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle, its 230 acres contain a dynamic assortment of plants, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. Take a walk through the Arboretum and discover this beautiful living collection. The Graham Visitors Center contains an information desk, and a gift shop managed by the Arboretum Foundation. The Japanese Garden, located at the south end of the Arboretum has an entrance fee and is managed by the City of Seattle. This lush, forested area offers miles of trails with seasonal blooms, ideal for peaceful nature walks with your dog.
How to Get There: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JpgbiiohsFgKeH1MA
Parking: Parking lot available.
Hours: 8 AM–8 PM
All these parks and trails are within easy reach of the Seattle Metro Area and surrounding cities in the Greater Seattle Area. Whether you’re looking for an off-leash adventure or a scenic stroll, these spots in the Puget Sound Region and Western Washington are perfect escapes from the urban hustle.
Ready to capture your pup’s adventures at these gorgeous locations? I specialize in dog photography sessions throughout the Seattle Metro Area and nearby regions. Let’s create lasting memories of your furry friend exploring the best that Western Washington has to offer!
