Watching a Seattle sunrise or sunset is something that everyone living in or visiting the PNW should try to do. The cloudy skies with the sun peeking through create a beautiful cotton candy sky. Plus, Seattle has multiple viewpoints – making it hard to come up with excuses to skip the sunsets and sunrises. In this post, we’ll go over when the sun sets and rises in Seattle and all of the best spots to watch the sunrise and sunset in Seattlee
Seattle’s sunrise and sunset times vary significantly throughout the year due to its northern latitude. In the summer, the city enjoys long daylight hours, with the sun rising as early as 5:10 AM in June and setting around 9:10 PM. In contrast, winter days are much shorter, with the sun rising around 7:55 AM in December and setting as early as 4:20 PM.
Spring and fall offer more balanced daylight hours, making them great times for catching both sunrises and sunsets without early wake-ups or late nights. If you’re planning to photograph the skyline at golden hour, checking a sunrise and sunset calculator for Seattle can help you time your visit perfectly!
Here’s a general guide to the average sunrise and sunset times in Seattle each month:
- January – Sunrise: 7:55 AM | Sunset: 4:40 PM
- February – Sunrise: 7:20 AM | Sunset: 5:30 PM
- March – Sunrise: 6:40 AM | Sunset: 6:15 PM
- April – Sunrise: 6:20 AM | Sunset: 7:50 PM
- May – Sunrise: 5:30 AM | Sunset: 8:40 PM
- June – Sunrise: 5:10 AM | Sunset: 9:10 PM
- July – Sunrise: 5:25 AM | Sunset: 9:00 PM
- August – Sunrise: 6:00 AM | Sunset: 8:20 PM
- September – Sunrise: 6:40 AM | Sunset: 7:30 PM
- October – Sunrise: 7:20 AM | Sunset: 6:20 PM
- November – Sunrise: 7:00 AM | Sunset: 4:40 PM
- December – Sunrise: 7:55 AM | Sunset: 4:20 PM
These times are approximate and can vary slightly depending on the specific day and weather conditions.
Kerry Park (Sunset)
Location: Queen Anne
Parking: Limited street parking; arrive early for the best spots.
Why It’s Great: Kerry Park is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Seattle, offering a perfect panoramic view of the city skyline, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier on clear days. The city lights up beautifully as the sun sets, making it a top photography spot.
Golden Gardens Park (sunset)
Location: Ballard
Parking: Free parking available, but it fills up quickly, especially on weekends.
Why It’s Great: This beachfront park provides an incredible view of the Olympic Mountains with the Puget Sound in the foreground. The sunsets here are breathtaking, and you can enjoy a bonfire on the beach afterward.
Ferry to Bainbridge Island (Sunset)
Location: Downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island
Parking: Walk-on passengers can board from downtown Seattle; parking is available near the terminal but fills up fast.
Why It’s Great: Watching the sunset from the ferry gives you a unique perspective of the city skyline, Mount Rainier, and the surrounding waters. It’s a peaceful and scenic ride that’s perfect for an evening adventure.
Poo Poo Point (Sunset)
Location: Issaquah
Parking: Limited parking at the trailhead; arrive early to secure a spot.
Why It’s Great: This hiking destination rewards you with an expansive view of the Puget Sound and surrounding mountains. It’s also a popular spot for paragliders, adding to the stunning sunset experience.
Carkeek Park (Sunset)
Location: North Seattle
Parking: Ample free parking available.
Why It’s Great: With its mix of forested trails, beach access, and views of the Olympic Mountains, Carkeek Park is a lesser-known but fantastic spot for catching a peaceful sunset.
Warren G. Magnuson Park (Sunrise)
Location: Northeast Seattle
Parking: Plenty of free parking available.
Why It’s Great: This large lakeside park offers beautiful views of Lake Washington, making it a great place to watch the sun rise over the water. There’s also a dog park, walking trails, and a boat launch for added activities.
Seward Park (Sunrise)
Location: Southeast Seattle
Parking: Free parking lots available.
Why It’s Great: Seward Park offers a serene setting along the shores of Lake Washington. The sunrise views here are spectacular, especially with Mount Rainier in the background on clear days.
Mount Si (Sunrise)
Location: North Bend (45-minute drive from Seattle)
Parking: Discover Pass required for parking. The lot fills up early.
Why It’s Great: A challenging but rewarding hike, Mount Si provides a sweeping view of the Cascades. Watching the sunrise from the top is a breathtaking experience, making the early morning hike well worth it.
Rattlesnake Ledge (Sunrise)
Location: Snoqualmie (40-minute drive from Seattle)
Parking: Free parking at the Rattlesnake Lake trailhead.
Why It’s Great: This is a popular sunrise hike with a relatively moderate trail leading to a stunning cliffside viewpoint. The view of Rattlesnake Lake and the surrounding forest is mesmerizing as the sun rises.
Snoqualmie Falls (Sunrise)
Location: Snoqualmie (35-minute drive from Seattle)
Parking: Free parking at the falls viewpoint.
Why It’s Great: One of Washington’s most famous waterfalls, Snoqualmie Falls is breathtaking at sunrise. Mist rising from the falls combined with the morning light creates an ethereal experience.
Final Tips for Catching the Perfect Sunrise or Sunset in Seattle
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Arrive early to secure parking and the best viewing spot.
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Check the weather to ensure clear skies for optimal viewing.
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Dress in layers, as temperatures can be chilly in the early morning or evening.
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Bring a camera or smartphone to capture the moment.
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Use a sunrise/sunset tracker to find the exact timing for your visit.
Seattle offers some of the most stunning sunrise and sunset views in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you prefer a short walk to a scenic overlook or a rewarding hike to a breathtaking peak, these 10 locations provide unforgettable experiences all year long.
