Gyde
Open prototypeProto
Back to all Seattle places

Seattle, Washington / Parks and outdoors

Beacon Food Forest

Explore the largest public food forest in the United States, a 7-acre resilient edible landscape on Beacon Hill designed using permaculture and agroforestry principles.

Open prototype Official site Get directions
Beacon Food Forest
beaconfoodforest.org, og_image_beaconfoodforest.org

What is the Beacon Food Forest known for?

It is described as the largest public food forest in the United States. The project uses agroforestry and permaculture design principles to create a resilient, diverse edible landscape focused on community food sharing, local food security, and biodiversity rehabilitation.

What are the hours?

Visitors are welcome daily, 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk.

Is it free?

Yes, the forest does not charge admission. Additionally, most of the site operates under an "open harvest" policy, meaning anyone can forage freely.

Where is it located?

It is located in the North Beacon Hill area of Seattle, adjacent to Jefferson Park at the corner of 15th Ave S and S Dakota St.

How do I get there?

The site is within walking distance of the Beacon Hill Sound Transit Link Light Rail Station and King County Metro routes #36, #50, #60, and #107.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Beacon Food Forest is a pioneering urban agriculture project located on the west-facing sloped land of North Beacon Hill. Established in 2009 as a final project for a permaculture design course, the site transforms public land owned by Seattle Public Utilities into a diverse, resilient edible landscape. It is widely recognized as the largest public food forest in the United States, spanning a total of seven acres, though currently 3.5 cultivated acres are in use. Rather than a conventional park or garden, the forest combines agroforestry and permaculture design principles to create a sustainable ecosystem. The project's core priorities include rehabilitating the local biodiversity and improving local food security by empowering the community to grow and harvest food on public land. This approach allows for a unique intersection of ecological restoration and community-led urban agriculture. Integrated into the site is a P-Patch gardening portion established in 2014, which consists of 27 plots covering 27,000 square feet. This structured gardening area complements the more organic flow of the food forest, providing a space for dedicated community gardening. The entire site is open to the public and does not charge admission, making it a highly accessible resource for the neighborhood. Visitors can engage with the landscape through an open-harvest policy, which allows for free foraging of edible plants. The forest is managed by community volunteers who hold monthly work parties on the third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These events provide an opportunity for visitors to see the forest in action and get plugged in with the local crew.

Visitor tips

  • Visit between dawn and dusk, as the site is open 365 days a year during these hours.
  • Plan your visit for the third Saturday of the month between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to participate in a monthly work party.
  • Look for the big sign at the corner of 15th Ave S and S Dakota St to find the entrance.
  • Use the Sound Transit Link Light Rail to Beacon Hill Station and walk to the site for easy access.

Nearby context

The Beacon Food Forest is situated adjacent to Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill, providing a complementary experience of a traditional city park alongside this experimental edible landscape.

Sources

Evidence and links