Gyde
Open prototypeProto
Back to all Seattle places

Seattle, Washington / Parks and outdoors

Woodland Park

A sprawling multipurpose recreation space in Seattle, Woodland Park is split by Aurora Avenue and hosts the world-renowned Woodland Park Zoo alongside vast gardens, sports fields, and wooded trails.

Open prototype Official site Get directions
Woodland Park
www.seattle.gov, website_hero_img_www.seattle.gov

Where is Woodland Park located?

Woodland Park is a multipurpose recreation space in Seattle, situated north of the Fremont district and just southwest of Green Lake.

What is Woodland Park known for?

The park is a hub for sports and recreation, featuring a skatepark, tennis courts, lawn bowling, horseshoe pits, playfields, and a large wooded dog off-leash area. It is also home to the Woodland Park Zoo.

Is Woodland Park good for kids?

Yes, the west side of the park includes a dedicated play area for children, and the park also houses the Woodland Park Zoo.

What can I find on the east and west sides of the park?

The west side features the zoo, a formal rose garden, picnic space, and a children's play area. The east side offers pathways, grassy hills, woods, and reservable picnic areas with barbecues.

What is the Woodland Park Zoo known for?

The zoo is an AZA-accredited, 92-acre attraction featuring over 1,000 animals from more than 250 species. It is famed for its conservation, education programs, and pioneering naturalistic exhibits.

What should I check before going?

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

What to know

Woodland Park serves as a massive multipurpose recreation hub in Seattle, strategically positioned north of the Fremont district and just southwest of Green Lake. The park is physically divided into two distinct sections by Aurora Avenue, each offering a different atmosphere for visitors. To the west of Aurora Avenue, the landscape is dominated by the Woodland Park Zoo, which was founded in 1899. This side of the park also features a formal rose garden, dedicated picnic spaces, open lawns, and a play area for children. The zoo itself is an AZA-accredited 92-acre oasis that houses over 1,000 animals representing more than 250 species, known globally for its naturalistic exhibit designs. East of Aurora Avenue, the environment shifts toward more rugged and flexible recreation. This section provides pathways, grassy hills, and woods, making it a prime location for those seeking nature. It includes reservable picnic areas and barbecues for group gatherings. Beyond the scenery, the park is one of the city's most active sports centers. It is equipped with a wide array of facilities, including tennis courts, horseshoe pits, lawn bowling, a skatepark, and multiple playfields. For pet owners, the park also maintains a large, wooded dog off-leash area.

Visitor tips

  • If visiting the zoo, check for early closings on dates like June 20 and July 10.
  • Visit the west side specifically to see the formal rose garden.
  • Bring a dog to enjoy the large, wooded off-leash area located within the park.

Nearby context

Located in a prime northern Seattle position, Woodland Park sits just southwest of Green Lake and north of the eclectic Fremont district, bridging the gap between urban exploration and natural escape.

Sources

Evidence and links