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Seattle, Washington / Parks and outdoors

Green Lake Trail

A quintessential Seattle experience, this 2.8-mile paved loop around a 15,000-year-old glacial lake offers a natural preserve for diverse wildlife and a beloved urban oasis for all abilities.

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Green Lake Trail
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What is the Green Lake Trail known for?

It is a quintessential Seattle walk consisting of a 2.8-mile loop around a 15,000-year-old glacial lake. The park is considered one of Seattle's most beloved parks and serves as a natural preserve for numerous birds, waterfowl, and hundreds of species of plants and trees.

How long is the trail and what is the surface like?

The trail is 2.8 miles long. It features both a paved asphalt path for wheeled users and walkers, as well as a crushed granite trail closest to the lake for joggers and walkers.

Is it good for kids and pets?

Yes, the trail is accessible to children, pets, walkers, joggers, bikers, and people with disabilities.

What other activities are available at the park?

In addition to the walking path, the park offers sport courts, a wading pool, non-motorized boating access, and two lifeguarded swimming areas at East and West Green Lake Beach.

When can I visit?

The route is available year-round.

What should I check before going?

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

What to know

Green Lake Trail is a cornerstone of Seattle's urban nature, encircling a 15,000-year-old glacial lake. The trail system consists of a 2.8-mile loop that caters to different users; a crushed granite trail closest to the water's edge is dedicated to walkers and joggers, while a paved asphalt path is designed for wheeled users and walkers. This layout ensures a fluid movement of people across the diverse surfaces. Historically, the area was integrated into the Olmsted Brothers' comprehensive parks plan and transferred to the City of Seattle in 1905. In the following 15 years, the lake underwent significant modifications, including being diked, dredged, and filled, which caused the lake to shrink by nearly 100 acres. These changes shaped the current shoreline and the park's layout. Today, the park serves as a natural preserve for hundreds of species of trees and plants, as well as numerous birds and waterfowl. It is one of Seattle's most beloved parks, drawing thousands of daily visitors from across the city due to its expansive water and green space within a dense urban neighborhood. Beyond the walking path, the park offers a variety of recreational facilities. Visitors can access two lifeguarded swimming beaches—West Green Lake Beach and East Green Lake Beach—along with a wading pool and non-motorized boating access. The west beach is located near the Seattle Public Theatre, formerly known as the Bathhouse Theatre.

Visitor tips

  • Use the crushed granite trail closest to the lake for walking and jogging to avoid wheeled users on the asphalt path.
  • Visit the West Green Lake Beach area to see the Seattle Public Theatre, formerly the Bathhouse Theatre.
  • Check the Seattle Parks swimming beach page for the current seasonal schedule for the lifeguarded beaches.
  • No parking permit is required for visitors to the park.

Nearby context

Located in the center of a dense urban neighborhood, Green Lake Park provides a critical expanse of water and green space that serves as a community hub for the community.

Sources

Evidence and links