Green Lake Park

Green Lake is one of my favorite spots in Seattle. The view of the lake is beautiful, specially in a sunny day, but it has its own unique beauty in every season of the year. There is a playground, community center with a play room, a wading pool (in summer) for kids. There is a ton of activities you can do: walking, running, biking, kayaking, playing pickle ball, fishing… even just sitting and enjoying the view, seeing the geese and ducks. It’s so relaxing! Only think would make it better is having a bigger parking lot, but there are plenty streets where you can find a spot to park your car.

Nice park with a long loop around green lake. So many beautiful trees to stop and see, lots of activity happening on a beautiful sunny Seattle afternoon. Parking can be tricky but it’s doable with patience. A good place to go for a walk or run.

Beautiful loop walk, plenty of benches, and great views of the lake. Only had 2 bathroom stalls that were a bit gross but to be expected for a park. Seemed dog friendly, I'll probably bring mine next time!

Really great park. Well maintained. Water is clean. You can swim, boat, kayak here. Or just relax on the grass. Good for juggling or running. It also has a small children pool and a jumping platform!

my favorite place to walk. I can spend a whole day here. my favorite restaurants are close by, tons of activities like running, kayaking, boating and public events. there's a theater here as well and plenty of parking. sports like baseball, basketball and even dodgeball take place here! its beautiful and handsome down one of my favorite places.

Great park for a 3-mile walk. Parking can be a challenge—every time I’ve visited, I’ve had to wait at least 10 minutes to find a spot. Also, there’s a lot of goose droppings along the trail. On the bright side, there are at least four restrooms conveniently located throughout the park.

A beautiful and calming park near downtown Seattle that feels like you are not in the city. There is a nice walkway around the lake for walkers, runners and bikers. A great place to explore and take your mind off of everything. Highly recommend to people that live in the city or people visiting.

One of the best parks in seattle for walking especially if you prefer paved trails. We like getting coffee from Starbucks right across the street and having a stroll. It takes around 1 hour to walk around the lake. Could be a bit crowded when the weather is nice. There are 3 hoops for basketball and lots of space to play soccer or volleyball (if you bring your net) there are pickleball courts and a playground. There is also a Paddle Board, Kayak and Water Bike rental facility during spring and summer.

Our stunning public parks are one reason I love this city so much - beautiful in every season. It's a place where people can gather for outdoor activities any time of the year. A well-groomed walking and biking path spans the perimeter of the lake, along with shops, businesses, eateries, community centers, beautiful homes, and sports courts (tennis, pickleball, etc.). Green Lake is an amazing place to spend a few hours - whether it be grabbing a bite, working at a coffee shop, or taking a brisk walk with a fluffy friend.

They have really well-organized pickleball here. They stack rackets (to get in line) by level so you can play beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Beginner is for people who've never played so if you've played before the recommendation is to do intermediate. We came up via bus on a Thursday evening around 8pm and though there's a lot of courts, there was also a lot of people. But the line moves steadily so we managed to get a few games in. On Google Maps there looks to be bathroom nearby but I didn't go to it so don't know the state of that.

In the days of my youth, I was told what it means to be a man. Those lessons & friendships I experienced at Green Lake in the summer are still with me to this day. Back when you could drop $2 in your tank and $2 for lunch we fill the car up and travel to Green Lake for sunning our bodies with baby oil and swimming all summer long in the waters of the lake. For some reason I never saw the sea monster that was rumored to be in the lake but I did encounter angry ducks & geese out on Duck Island on the west side of the lake... My only regret I wasn't old enough to see Led Zeppelin play at the lake in 1969.... Be that as it may I had a blast coming to Green Lake in my youth...

Green Lake may have been my favorite place to visit in Seattle... The lake is lovely spot to swim and paddleboard right now in the summer while it's warm. There are no motor boats allowed, so it's much more peaceful than Union Lake. You can spot duckies. This is also a great spot for a picnic. No matter where you set up, you're in for a great view. There is a paved big loop trail around the perimeter with lots of people walking, running, biking, and rollerblading. There are plenty of benches with scenic views and I saw a few people with hammocks set up in between trees. There is a designated swim area with a lifeguard and plank, but you can swim anywhere in the lake. There are two or three docks as well. There's a coffee shop and boat rental shop along the trail too. I wouldn't recommend using the bathrooms here... they're not very nice.

Such a blast paddleboarding and kayaking at Green Lake Park. There's also a circular trail for running, biking, walking, and roller skating. The vibes are great year-round, but cherry blossom season is my favorite. Plenty of spots nearby to grab a quick bite, too. Walking our dogs here is one of my favorite pastimes! It feels like a smaller version of Central Park in the PNW!

I lived here for 21 years. I worked at UW. Green Lake Park used to be a great place to spend the afternoon. Things have changed dramatically in Seattle in the last three years. And not for good. The sanctuary city has become a shit garbage city, with heroin needles on the sidewalks and homeless people everywhere. The park is crowded and dirty, has dirty bathrooms, is hard to park, and really, there's not much to see; it is more likely a pee dog park if you don't mind walking around the stinky lake. There are some decent coffee shops across the street in the area. Also, a Starbucks, if you like to enrich the brand and don't care about the quality, is a good choice. A bunch of weird people wandering around the park makes you feel unsafe. Some others are fine, roller skating, jogging. Find something else! Nothing to see here.

Let me start out with this, the park is great but the name of the lake is just not right. Only gross things are green like boogers and slime, but this lake is not. I think that it should be referred to as perchance Blue or Clear Lake. If you disagree with me, you can kick rocks, and find a gross body of water to submerge yourself in that is the color of your choosing you imbecile fool. Duck Island is great!

Greenlake is a wonderful spot to go on a walk. You can do water activities like paddle board or kayak or simply take a stroll. It's paved so it's accessible and there are various parking spaces around the lake.

This park is perfect for running, walking, basketball, tennis, frisbee, picnics, barbecues, and more!! Gorgeous neighborhood surrounding it with shops and restaurants. The loop is a little under 3 miles. As someone who loves running this was a great trail. Public bathrooms easily accessible. Boating, kayaking, and swimming here as well. Would recommend.

For the past 25+ years I have been coming to Green Lake both on my own and with family for various reasons. Thus far, I most heavily used the walking paths around the lake in 2010 and 2011 when I was working at Evans Pool (located between the outer and inner loops on the east side of the lake). During my break, I would run the inner and/or outer loop. The distance was perfect to fit in for my break. While the inner loop was typically busy, especially when working during the summer, the outer loop had a tendency to be calmer. The inner loop was wider, paved, and had shade. The outer loop had shade as well, though was dirt/gravel. I appreciated this for my runs, as it helped me focus more on my foot placement as I ran.

The park has so many areas to do all activities. I loved the amount of seating all around the park. I came on a perfect sunny day and even though there were a lot of people it didn't feel crowded. Parking was tough to find but if you're willing to walk from the surrounding neighborhood, then it's worth it.

Discovered this park while dropping passenger off of Seattle area. Green Lake Park is similar to Central Park in New York City or Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada, same location as it sits along the urban district. A 2.9 mile walkway has become an encirclement around the entire lake. What I really love are all sorts of outdoor activities from kayak paddling to frisbee throwing, from water sport to gymnastics. Of course badminton. And If you don't feel like being active, just bring a towel to lay down on the grass and enjoy the nice weather while Seattle still have it. I personally love to come at a less crowded time. Put down a sheet, doing some meditation while enjoying the Northwest breeze. What is also nice about this park is the number of bathrooms provided. I completed the loop around the park and counted about 4, open and ready bathrooms along with water fountains. Benches are available but not quite as plentiful. Again, I am thankful that mother nature has something like this to offer us humans.

After an afternoon spent in the U district we ended up wrapping up our day at Green Lake Park. It's a busy little place with lots of shade and several benches when you first enter the Green Lake Trail. We didn't walk the full lake, but found the odd signage that made no sense along the waterfront pretty funny. The track is paved and flat and I wouldn't say the walk is peaceful since there are quite a few musicians who play along the trail, but it's a fun little walk with lots of life.

Living so close to here it was about time that I reviewed this park. When looking up information about Green Lake I found that it was formed by the Vashon Glacial Ice Sheet thousands of years ago which was fascinating. There are a couple of lots for parking as well as parking around the lake and the neighborhood. It can definitely get super busy especially during the summer. Activities at the park include tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, playgrounds, kayaking, and fishing. There are also a lot of grassy areas for picnics. There are toilets and porta potties throughout the park which aren't great but they're better than nothing. The distance around the lake itself is 2.8 miles with no elevation which makes it perfect for a jog or even just a stroll. It's a great park during the day for all types of activities and it's nice for sunsets as well.

Enjoyable walk, smooth concrete for strollers to go over. Ducks and geese and wildlife nearby are great. It's a popular spot so expect to be around crowds. Also, it's in the middle of downtown Seattle so do with that information as you will. Nice grassy areas to have a picnic or play with your dog around the lake. Overall, a good walking location. P.S. The signs telling you which side to walk on are confusing and most people seem to resort to the "stay on the right" rule instead of bikers vs pedestrian lanes.

Went for a nice walk around Green Lake Park on a very sunny day. What a pleasant park it is. Very spaced out and well accommodated. If you want activities while in the park there all here - swimming, paddle boat rental, picnicking, open fields, tennis courts, volleyball and more I'm probably missing things to do. Of course, you can simply enjoy the nice walk around the around the path which I'm told is about 4 miles. I'm not sure if that's a fully accurate length but it is a decent walk/run, especially if you go around, it a few times What is also nice about this park is the number of bathrooms provided. I completed the loop around the park and counted about 4, open and ready bathrooms along with water fountains. Benches are available but not quite as plentiful. Green Lake Park is a nice sized park and seems to be cared for and favored. I can see why someone want to live in the area. It is a great place to come after a meal like I did, it's a nice park with quite a bit to offer.

My favorite park in Seattle! I love the location, beauty, and active community of Green Lake. I even proposed to my now wife on the dock at Green Lake, we love it here.

Green Lake Park is another one of our favorite parks to visit. It's centrally located, and provides a a lot of options for visitors. We recently attended the Water Lantern Festival at this park and considering the amount of people we all really enjoyed our Saturday afternoon at the park. Western WA is filled with wonderful parks, I definitely recommend visiting Green Lake Park.

5 stars for Green Lake Park, one of the nicest parks I've been to!!! I was looking for a nice place to get a run in while in Seattle and this place always came up, rather on line or from friends. Driving around the lake, they had 3 decent sized parking lots to choose from. They also had very clean restrooms here, I think I counted 3 of those also. I wasn't sure how far it was around the lake, I think my Garmin clocked in around 2.8 miles, I would have went around twice if I had more time, but I just added on extra to get to 4 miles. The paved path around the lake was plenty wide enough for everyone, lots of benches sprinkled throughout also. It was windy when I was there, and there were still plenty of active people out doing their thing. Seems like a very popular park in a very nice area of Seattle!!

Beautiful park w kayaks for rent. There's a section where u can swim w lifeguards. Pickleball is BIG here w real competition. But all welcomed since u lay paddles according to level. Friendly games go quickly due to 8 cts. Bathrooms are across parking lot.

Sometimes there are drug needles in the grass. Be careful so you don't step on them and get some disease (eg AIDS) this spring and summer. It is a nice place to walk around.

What a gorgeous park! There's a paved walkway on the perimeter of the lake. Didn't have time in my short Seattle trip itinerary to do the whole loop but the official park website says that the loop is 2.8 miles long (the website also has a history tidbit about the lake being formed from the Vashon Glacial Ice Sheet 50,000 years ago.....oooh, ahhh). Visited on a Saturday morning and seems like it's a hot (or super cool.....it was winter time...) spot for locals. There were lots of runners at the time (was getting FOMO because I would have also wanted to do some morning jogging!). Definitely one of my favorite parks that I visited in Seattle. It's walking distance from a couple of bus stops!

Such a beautiful park! The paved walkway around the lake is so great to take my baby for a walk in the stroller. My only gripe is about parking - the lot is small and crowded, but I guess you take what you can get with a park in the city. The lake was beautiful and so many people were running, biking, swimming, boating, paddle boarding...it was really a gorgeous day and I'm so glad I visited! I was also particularly excited about the small splash area for little kiddos I found while walking around the lake. Gonna be fun to take my little one there down the line!

My goodness, this place is glorious. I adore Green Lake. It's a perfect walk, just about 23 miles around the lake, flat, but through a somewhat winding path in spots and surrounded by big trees and luscious greenery. Paced path, lots of benches, and clear signs. I love it here! It's super popular for walkers, bikers, joggers, and geese :)

This is the place to run in the Seattle area. The trail that goes around the park is perfect for a walk or run. It's very relaxing and lots of people are utilizing the trail; more so than the park, though there will be some water activities as well.

A nice sunset and hangout spot for UW students and those living in Green Lake! When I went, it was teeming with life from those playing pickleball in the tennis courts, kayakers and peddleboat users far out into the lake, runners/walkers/joggers on the sidewalk, and swimmers jumping off of the boardwalk (which btw, has the most impressive set of metal ladders that I've seen out of all of the Lake Washington beaches I've seen so far). Water quality is fairly clean here, considering its proximity to the city center. Will have to say that the bathrooms aren't *that* clean, but again, typical of most beaches. Would be happy if I met someone on one of the dating apps here and he took me to this park to kayak/peddleboat and/or watch the sunset LOL.

Green Lake Park is a popular place to visit in Seattle, for a good reason! There's literally an activity for everyone, whether it is running, cycling, rollerblading, walking, fishing, paddle boarding. rowing, playing basketball, soccer, tennis, spike ball, yoga, the list goes on! You can rent gear to use on the water too. I love to come here when I want to run/walk with a nice calming view. There are also many areas to picnic and sit/relax. The lake is a 2.8 mile loop and you'll find multiple docks circled around. The loop is meant to go one way and is separated by people on foot and cyclers. The only downside that I can think of is some areas have a lot of geese poop so you have to be careful about where you step and certain areas are crowded with homeless people. The main parking lot can be crowded so it's best to either come early or just look for street parking!

2.8 miles of natures and community! One lap round the lake is 2.8 miles. Currently a segment of the lake is under construction to create a boathouse for the summer. People are walking, running, roller blading, or biking. People of all ages come and walk the lake path. I often go for solo walks, but have come here with friends, on dates, and with family. Parking can be tricky on a sunny day, but there's loads of neighborhood parking. I feel like the parking difficult just shows how loved this lake is for Seattleites! It's a must do for tourists!!

We love Green Lake Park, it's great for walking, jogging, cycling, picnics, and also boating. We love being able to do the whole loop around the loop. It's great with kids too. The only trouble is the limited amount of parking available. A lot of times in the evening we have had to find street parking outside.

Such a great park for walkers, joggers, and bicycle-riders. The path around the lake is divided in the middle with one side designated for walkers/joggers and the other for bikes/rollerbladers. The path is an approximately 3-mile loop, allowing for a nice hour-long walk. Green Lake is quite popular and it's a good space to spend some quality time with nature. The park greenery is well-maintained. The walking path around the lake is flat, making it easy for anyone to traverse. There are plenty of grassy areas and park benches to use for when you want to take a break or read a book. Beautiful houses are located throughout the neighborhood and can be seen from the walking path. Stores for shopping and various restaurants are within close proximity as well. During my last walk in October 2020 there were some homeless tents set up not far from the walking path. Parking has never been an issue for me as there are plenty of spots around the lake and the nearby side streets.

I stopped by here with a friend and we went on a walk just to catch up. I loved this lake, it's 2.8 miles worth of various activities from a mini golf course to fishing docks and swathes of gorgeous green grass with benches where you can spot people picnicking. There's plenty of bicyclists, but the path is wide enough that everyone has enough room to do their own thing and walk at their own pace. I definitely recommend coming here.

Despite usually being crowded with pedestrians on any day that could be considered to have "mildly, not-terrible weather", I have always enjoyed my time here as a pedestrian and runner. I used to bike and rollerblade here too, but unfortunately per the new (at least, new since they're not passing it off as covid-protocol anymore) wheels are not allowed. I'm sorry, but this has to be the largest paved recreational areas in North Seattle and it's completely ridiculous that even kids on training wheels are being pushed into the bike lane. I'm really sad that one of the only places to take a nice leisurely bike ride without having to be worried about being rammed by a car (not even for the first time!) is gone. I've basically given up rollerblading at this point, too. It's really hard to find smooth pavement in Seattle and skating around the same high school parking lot after-hours gets old pretty darn fast. This park is fine for meandering pedestrians, but basically hostile to anyone else.

Green Lake Park is one of Seattle's gems and provides a fantastic place to get outside and enjoy the beauty offered here. The trail that goes around the lake is a little under 3 miles and is very, very popular with the neighborhood residents. This park has a little bit of everything, from beach access to picnic areas and a variety of sports fields. This park is a great place to come and get some fresh air!

I love Green Lake Park! I go paddle boarding there regularly. It's typically pretty easy to get in and out of, though parking can be an issue during peak summer season. You definitely want to check water quality ratings before you get in it, but most of the time it's a nice swim. (Just be sure to take a shower when you get home!) The walking path is nice, too... though I'm not sure about the changes to the rules. I get pushing cyclists to the outside track--but I think they expect skaters (quads, in-line, skateboards, etc) to use the bike path, too... which doesn't feel safe. I see a lot of skaters on the inner path, but I think it's technically against the rules... and if it is, I think it's dumb that it is. But it is a beautiful little haven amidst the city.

Classic park that can get pretty busy with families, bikers, runners, walkers, dogs and all the sorts. Large lake in the middle, loop is 2.8 milesin total. Three restroom locations, parking all around the park. A food/beverage hut near the main enterance. Not much for parks.

You can rent kayaks or peddle boats, run, play soccer, lay on the lake, and more! My boyfriend and I took a romantic walk and had a picnic while enjoying the sunset. It was a gorgeous night! There are bathrooms that aren't the cleanest but better than nothing. Street parking can be a pain to find.

Today's work is done quickly. Find a park for a walk. Found this park. I recommend it. There is a place to swim, sunbathe, cosplay tennis, kayaking, cycling, sit and relax, eat barbecue, and take a walk.

Green Lake is a popular walking destination for many Seattlelites, especially those in the U-District or Ravenna neighborhoods. The loop around the lake is 2.8 miles and is completely flat. I used to walk around here all of the time to get away from the craziness of the city. Green Lake was a happening place to begin with, but since COVID, this place has become much more popular due to the number of limited activities. The Washington Trails Association has imposed safety measures such as enforcing all walkers to walk the same way around the loop rather than have a two-lane trail. Additionally, skating, biking, and skateboarding are prohibited; however, I still saw a lot of rollerbladers on the loop. There are social distancing signs all along the loop; walkers were following the guidelines for the most part. It was mostly just people around the basketball court who were not. The lake itself is beautiful. Last summer I went canoeing with my boyfriend here. It's very relaxing just to hear the waves and get some fresh air. There is a small parking lot, but it's always very crowded. I definitely recommend walking here if you can.

It's ok but not my favorite spot in the area to take walks though and I prefer less busy parks

Love this park. 3.5 mile walk around the lake . Kayak rentals and an area for swimming / lounging in water. Plenty of space for sun bathing, frisbee, hammock hanging, whatever you are into. Lots of pickle ball courts, tennis, golf and so much more. Only gripe is parking of course. Family friendly with lots of organized activities and a coffee/ treat shop. A North Seattle hot spot this time of year with a cool play area for small children. Bikes, walkers, skaters, runners, etc. are all welcome

Finally checked out this stunning park! A 2.8-mile path wraps around the lake with different scenery of both wildlife and the city. The trail wasn't too crowded on a Saturday at 8:30 AM. There's guidelines on which side to walk, but noticed for the most part people walked in a counter-clockwise direction on either lane. Plenty of other activities to do even if not visiting for the stroll. The park has it all! There are tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, though I'd advise show up early if planning on snagging a tennis or pickleball court. A boat house offering rentals is available along with the other water activities of swimming in either the lake or pools. Plus the park has a playground, baseball field, golf area, piers for fishing, picnic shelters, and even a public piano. Restrooms and benches are spread out throughout the trail. It's nice that the park is smoke free too. Cars were having difficulty finding spots in the public parking lot when I left at 10 AM.

Green lake path has the perfect walking/running route! I love that the city of Seattle has made this area more bike-friendly in the recent years. To benefit everyone, be respectful of the wheels/heels separation, with walkers and runners on the inside paved walkway and bikers in the bike lanes on the road.

Green Lake is a great for any time of the year. It's about 3 miles around the lake with a nice trail around. There is a lane for walkers and bikers/runners. This is not typically followed, but people are still respectful in moving around to let others go by. The lake itself is gorgeous and it's surrounded by rich multi million dollar homes and neighborhoods. There are some restaurants near by too, so I've ate and walked around afterwards. It's pretty to walk around and have a nice chat with you friend or partner. Green Lake is also great for jogging, skating boarding, biking, etc. around the lake. There are handfuls of shared bikes around. There are also quite a bit of geese, so watch out for poop. I've seen dogs scare them away which is funny. In the water, many people swim during the summer season, but other have been in there in their dry/wet suits during off seasons too.

Popular area to walk around and either sit down, have a picnic, get some exercise, or even swim, kayak or paddle board. Parking can be an issue but once you have that sorted out, you can enjoy the park. We rented kayaks then took a walk around the park afterwards. It can get crowded, especially on the weekends. There are lots of food options nearby so you can spend a lot of time here if you choose. Overall a nice place to enjoy the outdoors in Seattle.

I wish I can give it 10 starts!!!! What a beautiful place! I've been coming to this part since 2001 for walking and biking. After they added a dedicated bike line around the lake, this place got even better. Very clean. LOVE IT!!!!!!

Such a nice place to take a stroll especially in the fall when the trees are vibrant and beautiful! The trail is a 2.8 mile loop. It is flat and encircles the entire lake! This takes me about an hour to walk (would take a lot less if I ran it, but who am I kidding)! Even though the lake is man-made, it's full of lots of wild life and beautiful scenery! You might even see a bald eagle or two! It's also conveniently located next to lots of coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, so after burning all those calories at the lake, there are many great options for curbing your hunger (or thirst) !

Such an enjoyable place! You can play tennis, run, have a picnic, walk, play with your kids, attend to a race or watch the Carton Days (boats made of milk cartons during summer :)). So many things to do here. Check the dates for events like night walkings with lights or parades. And during the day, you can always sit and admire the lake. Always a good vibe from everybody. There are some cafés at the other side of it. It's about 3 miles round to consider. There are a couple of parking lots but they are very small. Most of people park nearby on the street. Streets are narrow. There are stores with their own customers who park on the streets too. It gets crazy to get a spot sometimes. So better be prepared to spend minutes looking for one!

TLDR: paved walk/run paths. Leashed dogs allowed. Refreshing loop around the lake. Parking can be a problem during the warmer months. There is only street parking. Watch those hills! I love how there are cafes and restaurants all around the lake so you can totally just get a bite to eat or grab ToGo and picnic at the park! This place seems to have it all: shade, play fields, basket/tennis ball courts, amenities, boat rentals, paved walk/run areas, etc. Overall a lovely place to do anything from sun bathing in the grass to biking around or swim in the lake! You can fish here too--I'm not sure about the edibility of the fish or the kinds of fish though. I do know that sometimes fishing/swimming isn't allowed due to the toxic algae blooms. Please please please, leash and pick up after your dog(s) and clean up after yourselves to keep this park a clean and lovely place to be!

Green Lake Park is a beautiful park with a 2.8 mile route that goes around the large lake in the middle of the park. My husband, our little girl dog and I actually came by this park twice last week during our Seattle vacation. There is restrooms at the main entrance of the park, where you can also rent kayaks, boats and water bikes if you wish to be out on the water (swimming is also allowed in various parts of the lake). There are also restrooms on the other side of the lake, along the path in case you need to use it (which I did and surprisingly it was clean and had running water, soap and toilet paper). This park is well maintained, provides plenty of grass for 4 legged little friends to relief themselves (or for humans to take a rest, grab a picnic lunch, play frisbee golf, etc) and also has a basketball court. At the main entrance to this park is a parking lot, but may be challenging to find parking (we were lucky both times). But if you are out of luck, consider driving around the park and park in the other lot on the other side (which was empty on our visit, as most people probably aren't even aware of this parking lot) or you can always park on the street and in the residential neighborhood. There are plenty of restaurants and stores that surround this park in case you wish to grab a bite to eat or a little treat. Definitely a nice place to visit if you are looking for an afternoon walk, out with your 4 legged pup, looking for something different to your usual date nights or friend get togethers, Green Lake Park is a great visit.