Overview
If you google “parks in Seattle”, Greenlake will show up as one of the top search results. This is due to its popularity and central location, you’ll find locals and tourists visiting Greenlake any day of the week. I stumbled upon Greenlake just by driving around Seattle. It’s hard to miss this park. There is a small lake surrounded by a walking trail and lots of plants and fields. I was drawn in by this beautiful scene, and have been a regular visitor of Greenlake ever since.
Greenlake park has lots of different activities available for you. There are soccer fields, tennis courts, an off-leash dog park, and more. For information on all of the different activities at Greenlake park in Seattle, continue reading this post!
History of Greenlake
I love researching the history of Seattle’s parks, driven by a deep curiosity about how the city has maintained its green spaces. Moving from Utah, I was amazed by the number of parks in Seattle. Each park shares a unique history, highlighting the city’s dedication to conservation. This history is crucial as Seattle grows, with local advocates playing a key role in preserving these green spaces, underscoring the importance of community involvement and education.
Greenlake Park’s story begins with the retreat of the Puget Sound Ice Sheet over 50,000 years ago, creating a basin that formed the lake. Indigenous peoples fished its waters for centuries before European settlers arrived. Many Seattle lakes have similar histories, now serving as public spaces.
Located in north-central Seattle, Greenlake is a popular escape for locals and tourists due to its proximity to downtown. In the 19th century, it transitioned from sawmills and homesteads to a recreational retreat. The Olmsted Brothers, renowned landscape architects, were commissioned in 1903 to design a park plan for Seattle, including Greenlake Park.
Today, Greenlake spans 323 acres, offering activities like picnicking, swimming, jogging, and birdwatching. Its scenic trails attract visitors year-round, providing a serene urban escape. As Seattle evolves, Greenlake remains a symbol of environmental stewardship and community engagement, reminding us of the importance of preserving our natural heritage for future generations.
Greenlake Walking Trail
Mileage: 2.9 miles (this is loop trail)
Elevation Gain: about 40ft of elevation gain during this loop trail.
Crowds: This is a very popular trail in Seattle. Expect crowds around the lake.
Dog Regulations: Dog friendly but all pets must be on leash.
The walking trail at Greenlake park is one of my personal favorite things about this park. This trail could be considered one of the urban hikes in Seattle. The loop goes all of the way around Greenlake and has many amenities along the way. You will find restrooms, coffee shops, and benches scattered around this trail.
In 202, a ban on wheeled devices was implemented at the Greenlake walking trail. The prohibition, which includes bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters, aims to enhance safety and promote a more pedestrian-friendly environment along the pathway. While this might seem like the ideal location to take your bike or blades out, unfortunately you will need to plan to go elsewhere. I recommend trying the Burke Gilman trail system!
Coffee and Food Near Greenlake
Local coffee shops:
- Greenlake Boat House and Coffee: This is the closest coffee shop to the walking trail. Situated right off of the walking trail on the north-east end of the park, Greenlake Boat House and Coffee is a great spot to take a break during your walk around Greenlake. Another fun thing that this shop offers is various watercraft rentals! You can visit them on a warm summer day and rent a craft to get you out onto the lake.
- Revolutions Coffee: This coffee shop is a short walk from the Greenlake walking trail, but it’s well worth the detour to enjoy their goodies. They serve all of the classic coffee drinks you expect to find at a local Seattle coffee shop. On top of that, they also have a few breakfast, lunch, and pastry options available for purchase.
- Retreat: This is my personal favorite coffee shop near Greenlake. They have amazing food that leaves you feeling full and energized. This is a great option for anyone seeking a healthy meal. I enjoy stopping by here for an iced coffee or a smoothie on a summer morning.
- Chocolati: If you’re looking for coffee and a sweet treat, stop by Chocolati! They have handcrafted chocolates that everyone is sure to love. I have only purchased chocolates at this shop so I can’t speak to the quality of their coffee, but from what I can see they have great online reviews and are worth a visit.
Greenlake Dog Park
The Greenlake dog park (also known as Woodland Park Off-Leash Area) is another useful amenity of Greenlake park. This is a fairly small dog park in Seattle, but it has all of the basic amenities you might need.
When you first enter the dog park, you will see a hill off to your right and a trail that rolls around the hill. You and your dog can explore these areas. From the top of the hill you’ll be able to see the entire park. You can find garbage cans, drinking water for dogs, and benches at this Seattle dog park. One thing I recommend is to bring your own dog poop bags. I have visited this park at least 10 times in the past and have never found the poop bag stations stocked.
Due to its size, my dog isn’t typically able to get all of this energy out at this park. That being said, he is very high energy and needs a lot of space to run around. If you have smaller dogs or dogs who are not high energy this should be a good option for you. I typically will stop by Greenlake dog park and then take him on a walk around the lake to ensure that he is able to get his energy out.
For a detailed blog on Green Lake dog park, click here!
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