Beautiful park but horribly overcrowded during the weekend. 30 seconds didn’t pass without seeing another person, so not exactly a peaceful park if that’s that what you’re seeking. However, there are tons of great views.

Discovery Park is our go to hiking destination when we cannot get away from the city to see other beautiful WA trail destinations. There are countless breathtaking views found throughout the majestic 534 acre park. Its also pet friendly (leash laws are required). A great tranquil escape within a big city yet feels like a world away.The terrain varies so if youre seeking adventure and exercise the park does not disappoint. From the prairie-like fields and sand dunes at the southern end to meadowlands within the interior of the park. Keep your eyes open to spy some eastern cottontail rabbits, barred owls, deer or even eagles as well as many other rare wildlife such as the mountain beaver. The mossy laced forested areas feel peacefully magical and incredibly vast. Its also a wildflower delight during the summer bloom. At the western edge, Puget Sound tidal beaches are a beach-combers delight thats also host West Point Lighthouse. The western bluff offers a magnificent view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. On a sunny clear day majestic Mount Rainier dominates the skyline to the south. The park also has tennis and basketball courts, a childrens play area nearby the visitors centre. Plenty of historic building structures remain from the storied Fort Lawton era. Some of these have been remodeled and are now private residences so do please respect the privacy of the residents.Parking is ample in the north and south parking lots (outside of the pandemic). Vehicle theft however is quite a serious concern so do take caution to secure your valuables to ensure theyre not visible. There have been ongoing reports of unleashed dogs over the years so exercise caution.ALERT: Summer season, please be sure your pet is protected against ticks. Dog owners have reported theyve found ticks in the park trails.

What a fabulous way to get exercise and be in beautiful forest lands and see the Sound! On a clear day like this you can see both Baker and Ranier. Amazing... Right here in the heart of Seattle.

Its actually a pretty cool park, theres a lot to check out and a nice walk to the light house. This is also an excellent spot to go running, get a good workout, run up some steep stairs and hills. A few benches randomly located around the park, a couple great view points to see the ocean.

This is a large park with a variety of terrains and environments to explore.COVID-wise, the park still seems to have plenty of space to remain distant, but please keep your mask on, especially in the narrower trails.Be aware that on the large lawn, people tend to let their dogs run off-leash, so stick to the path along the edges if you’d rather not encounter dogs.Also, they sold some of the historic buildings as private homes, so expect a small “neighborhood” of cranky residents with no trespassing signs smack in the middle of the park.

I love it here!!! Came on a Friday morning. Parking was no problem. It wasnt crowded at all. The lighthouse is only open Sat-Mon so we will come back another day to explore that. Great place to explore with the family! If you come here make sure you explore Fort Baker too. The views of the Golden Gate Bridge are amazing!

Had a walk with my daughter at Discovery Park today. I had forgotten just how gorgeous it is up there and how spectacular the views are. It is also very well maintained and safe. Good for your soul.

Discovery park is one of those hidden in plain sight poorly kept secrets you can’t stay away from. Miles and miles of trails, open fields, flowers, water and Mountain Views and a trail to a lighthouse on the beach.I highly recommend the loop trail as it offers everything you would want to see.

Great place to hike! I spent several hours there with my son last week. He loved it! I would recommend Discovery Park to anyone who loves to be in Gods creation and are in the Seattle area.

Nice big park/former military base. Wide open spaces and walking trails on the edge of Puget Sound.

Get lost, see deer, engage in forest bathing and just re-connect with nature. Try new trails for more adventure. Marvelous place!

A gigantic park. Just like Stanley park in Vancouver and Japanese garden in Portland. This is an essential part of Seattle, where people go during the weekend and get sunlight.Here you can see the beautiful sunsets with Olympic National park and the ocean.Good for a small city hike. It has bunches of trails that you can choose and walk for about one to two hours.All in all, best quick getaway for Seattlite.

Loved it... First trip walked about 6.5 miles... Lots of different terrain and scenery. Even some berry picking.

COVID notice for travelers- Beauitiful park. Great trails and beach lighthouse is excellent BUT.......Seattle Parks is trying to prevent or limit people from going to the park so all the parking lots are closed which means you should be prepared for about a 45min hike to get to the lighthouse and about the same hike back to your car with many hills...If youre going direct to the lighthouseIn our adventure we found following the main road in thats closed to be the fastest route. But it is really steep.Pack water, food and wear comfortable foot wear!

This park is about 4 miles walk from my home and I love just how big it is. I usually head down to the beach to relax next to the water but there is so much more to the park. Large areas for distant relaxing and many pathways to get lost in. Still so much more to explore.

Need I say more? Really the best non-city Vista in Seattle. Park is amazing and not sketchy during the day. South bluff Vista is prime, by the lighthouse is nice as well.

WOW! What a great place! Service and work ethics were top-notch. I had good experiences! Highly recommended!

Love seeing the old building and we found a game when walking around the park. Colored glass rock sharps with art designs on them. You will have to look in the glass, poles, walls etc to find them. We moved them to different areas in the park.

A place you can escape into at your leisure. Towers of trees, the bay, flowers here and there, and benches appear if sitting on one suits you. (I like to sit on top of the hill overlooking the old military parade ground.) There are wild black berries, and apples, if one needs a snack.

Came here on an overcast day so photos dont look as great. This is a great park with lots to discover. There is a visit center right near the entrance with ample parking. Bathrooms are located in the visitor center. The are numerous trails to follow but we opted for the Loop Trail. The trails are mostly good with no great inclines. There are portions of the trail that have stairs. On our way back we followed the road from the lighthouse and it was a moderately steep incline. Really good for exercise. DOGS are not allowed on the beach please. Read the signs!

A great natural area that feels secluded, even so close to the city. Many different paths to explore and the beach is lovely. Protip: Make sure you stay upwind of the water treatment facility.

Nice trail and biking routes from easy to difficult. The view is beautiful as always. A nice way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life

A walk down to the lighthouse is a great viewpoint on a peninsula in the sound. Bluffs, rolling hills, and tree lines also make this park a very cool experience inside the city.

Discovery Park is one of the very few parks in Seattle that I havent been to in five years that Ive been here. Its a huge park with numerous hiking trails for all skill levels, biking paths, and access to the beach.Clean bathrooms, plenty of parking, and a childrens activity room can be found at the Visitors Center. Nearby is a newly renovated playground. The Center is also where you pick up a parking pass to be able to park at the few spaces available down by the lighthouse.Stop by the Visitor Center for information about the park, what to do, and where to go (exploring).

This is one of my favorite parks in Seattle. The paths are very fun to walk and the beach is beautiful!

You really cant go wrong here. It has both the ocean views with Rainier and a lighthouse, plus lush green forests. You can make it a shorter or a longer hike so it really can be enjoyed by anyone.

Peaceful walk surrounded in natural and newly planted beauty. Good for families with children. An opportunity to teach preservation to the youth. No major sloping so its an easy walk not a hike. Trails lead the way. Enjoy.

Beautiful place to go for a walk, run or bike. The parking lot is close as a 8/16/20 but there’s places where to park outside. Not forget to bring some mosquito repellent

I absolutely love parks! Parking was slightly difficult and foggy outside but still wonderful. Construction going on made it an inconvenience. Well taken care of. Scenery is gorgeous! Seriously, Buffalo!

Great place for a walk along the lake or hike in the surrounding forest area. The lighthouse is a popular place for taking pictures and looking at the lake.

The hike from the north parking lot to the beach lighthouse through the loop trail takes you through a lush green wet forest . Its very soothing and the hike is moderate to mostly easy. The beach gives a beautiful view of the mt. Rainier if lucky. The view of the red lighthouse with a backdrop of blue is a complete retreat for the eyes. A good way to spend 3-4 hours if visiting Seattle and want to get some taste of nature without driving much. And for locals great way to spend a relaxing holiday.

Discovery Park is a gem of the Seattle parks system. Tons of mostly well maintained trails, an enormous beach and barring Covid-19, plenty of parking.

Love Discovery Park, however be aware that as of 9/30/20 for some reason the parking lots are closed with some barricades blocking some of the main entrance and play field entrance. Even the cemetery is blocked for access by veterans and families. People are parking on the side of the road by the play field parking lot bus stop and tearing up the vegetation and side of the road destroying parts of the park. Meanwhile, the parking lots are very large and spacious to accommodate cars properly. Someone within Seattle Parks administration didnt think this out very well. If the park says open it and the parking lot should be open! We are talking about a historic and very large and spread out park.

Super peaceful, free park with stunning views. The trail we took was a 3.3 mile loop that wasn’t too challenging even in the mud but gave us great scenery and a great time. Would highly recommend for anyone visiting. It has its own bus stop that comes directly from downtown Seattle too.

Beautiful park to visit, plenty of parking and several hikes/trails to choose from. Great view points of all of the sound. Lighthouse is small especially those visiting from a different coast lol I love the sandy area on Fort Lawton beach!

Its a great Park to explore. An old army base you can still see remnants of. Graveyard. A section of the park the Indians took back by force in the 1970s and kept. Kite flying rope swinging ( if can find them) beach walking.

Beautiful. Lush. Ferns, huge trees, moss. Similar in these regards to other parks in the area.The loop trail is 2.8 miles. It connects directly to the South Parking Lot and is a ten minute or so walk to the North Parking Lot. It takes you by the part where you get beautiful views of the sound and is overall great. It’s almost entirely flat with very small inclines here or there.There’s a Hidden Valley Trail as well. It’s closer to the North Parking Lot I think. I don’t know much about it yet.From the north or south parking lots you can take the North Beach Trail or South Beach Trail down to the water and the lighthouse. They’re pretty steep. There’s no parking by the lighthouse so the only way it seems to see it is to take one of these trails. If you’re athletic it might be a good option but if not you can get similar views at Elliott Bay Park.

A great way to get out of the house. Lots of fresh air, trees, birds. You can be at the the park for a small or big hike.

COVID-19 Escape. May 2020Parking: ALL lots are closed - Street parking only.Park Closes at 8:00 pmDiscovery Park is an amazingly beautiful park. Discovery Park has plenty of space to keep safely apart from other people. Many trails lead you through grasslands, trees, and coastal landscapes. You can relax in the sun, play with your dog and family. Discovery Park is great for biking. While sitting on the porch writing, I watched a family riding together around the old barrack housing aria. There are amazing views of snowcapped mountains out past the Puget Sound. There are many old and restored military buildings. Some of Fort Layton buildings have been converted into magnificent private homes. Discovery Park is a great little get.

Bring water ,snacks.It will take at least 2 1/2 hrs for the walk and to enjoy beach( tourists or visitors).Try not to go on rainy day.You can take your dog with you.This trail is quite difficult for people who are very old, young parents carrying baby and physically challenged.We can choose any trail of our choiceand go.Beach is awesome.On the way of our trail found one *rest room*. There is one in Discovery center.Mushrooms are grown under many trees. Nice to see.Beach is really nice. Walk alongside the beach and enjoy breeze ,nature.We can capture beautiful pictures of the beach. Beach side full of pebbles of different colors and shape.During summer visitors can see lot of Otters.Light house is there.

Large beautiful park with many trails including beach access in Seattle.

Amazing place, great for a hike, walk, run, or to just sit on the Beach and relax.Place is family friendly and has multiple car parks, if your interesting in visiting certain areas of the park.Recommended.

Amazing trails with excellent views of the sound. For those with more endurance you can walk follow the trails down to the lighthouse and the beach.

This is a fabulous park. It is huge with many trails. There are at least 2 paved roads that are blocked off to traffic but perfect for that social distancing hike. You can hike around the upper part of the park but there are 2 trails that go down to different beaches, one with a lighthouse and picnic tables.

My go-to, urban oasis here in Seattle. Forest by the sea with an intriguing sense of story to it.

Four miles of tall trees, birds singing, and a view of the lake during a run (or walk) makes this place THE place to exercise. Depending on the time, cars whooshing pass you can take away from the outdoor ambiance.The trail has some incline but still feasible for beginning runners.

Best Park in Seattle (personal opinion). It has some decent hikes that wind in and out of the area. It’s easy to get lost/confused but it’s BEAUTIFUL no matter where you go. I prefer the bluffs over everything else, worth hiking down to the lighthouse (although it does smell pretty bad near the wastewater treatment plant)

Great walks and views of Mount Rainier and Puget Sound. Park is approximately 25 mins from downtown Seattle. Has great walks and wildlife. There are few designated parking areas as the park is meant to be explored via foot. For families with special need, a parking permit is available in visitor center (on request) that lets you park in some limited parking spots e.g. near lighthouse etc.. definitely worth a visit if exploring Seattle. Wear comfortable hiking shoes, walks are easy to moderate but do get muddy if it rains. Also walks have some step etc.. But suitable for most folks.

Awesome park! Stroller friendly all the way to the lighthouse.

Discovery Park is absolutely beautiful and is well worth the visit if you are in the Seattle area. Ive heard parking can be hard to find, but during this particular time, we found no trouble parking in the south parking lot. The one bit of trouble is that there are only signs in certain areas, so if you dont know where to start on the parks many, many different trails, you can easily wander aimlessly for an hour or more. Of course, if you like discovering nature, this isnt such a bad thing. The views of the Puget Sound are stunning, and being on the south beach where you can see Mt. Rainier rising in the distance is absolutely breathtaking. If you are going down to the south beach and the lighthouse, which I highly recommend, prepare for a bit of a hike. Most of the park is on high ground which overlooks Puget Sound, so to get to the beach you have to climb a steep set of stairs down and a steep set of stairs back up again. Like I said, totally worth it, and the locals tend to use both the steep and flat grades for running.

Outstanding views of Puget Sound. Old military officer houses. Eagles and hawks. Beach. Endless trails to get lost on. No other park like this in Seattle.

Awesome view of Puget Sound, the Olympic mountains and Mt. Rainier. If you drive close to the lighthouse, parking is limited and watch out for bicycle riders using the middle of the road.

Beautiful park with tons of variety in ecology types. Be sure to take some side trails to discover new things!

Yellow houses there were so lovely. Like traveling back in time.

Awesome nature park with tons of trails. If youre lucky you might see an owl or two.

Beautiful, spacious park, full of mini ecosystems, scenic views, and history.

Loved this place! Has the best views of the ocean and the mountains! You will go through and witness all different types of terrain and fauna. Truly a beautiful walk and light hike if you have a few hours.

Best park in Seattle, huge open spaces, a beach w/ picturesque lighthouse

Nice visitor center. Good hikes and space to roam. Also beach access and a cool lighthouse. Spend a day exploring

Good hiking trails and views of the sound. Pretty beaches with lots of drift wood.

The parking lot was closed due to COVID so if you go youll need to hike in quite a distance. But a pretty place to see a lighthouse and watch boats on the water.

Great park with lots of hiking, great views, a lighthouse, playground for kids. This park has it all. There is the infamous loop trail or you can even take side trails and keep away from most people.

Beautiful beach park and trail with spectacular views of Mt. Rainier! Safe for pets and kiddos!

Beautiful charming place small nature walk to get to the sea side! definitely recommend

Great park with nice view. Good for a 1-2 hour walk.

A very nice hiking experience within Seattle. Indicative of the area, lush growth around paths promotes feeling of getting away. Nice elevation changes as you get nearer to the water. Even saw a bald eagle near the lighthouse.

Beautiful park with beautiful views. As with any park here in Seattle if you’re making plans to visit on a nice day parking can be difficult to secure. The bathrooms aren’t always well stocked or kept clean. There are a variety of trails for all fitness levels from walkers to trail runners.

Beautiful park with spectacular views of Mt. Rainier! A great place to hike or walk, go biking or take a picnic. Super peaceful and a lot of great trails to explore.

Maybe the most beautiful view in Seattle. The cliffs are absolutely incredible. The sunset is breathtaking

Moderate hike to the light tower with great scenic points along the way of the bay.

Love all the hidden trails, esp along the water

The park is always my favorite place to hang out with my friends and family. Very peaceful and a lot of trails to explore.

What a beautiful hike in Seattle! Its a fun area to hike especially if you cant get to any of the surrounding national parks. One of the trails opens up to a gorgeous view of the bay and mount Rainier. Loop trail ends at an old lighthouse and some old buildings. Beach access from the area and cool looking driftwood.

Love this place. Great for taking walks with my dog ( on leash, or at least that is what I do).

Always a pretty place to visit. Make sure you watch the official music video that was filmed here of the song Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog before you go. You can find it on YouTube. And then try to re-enact the entire video with a group of friends.

One of the best parks in Seattle.Plenty of space, amazing kids park, and bus ride to the Beach.

A great refuge from the city. Daybreak Star cultural center was hosting an event for the Census awareness, sunshine, views of the water and the best part, trees!

Wonderful assortment of trails and a gorgeous beach. Very good birding location.When going be aware there are some very steep steps on some trails.

Out here exploring the nature that Seattle has to offer. This park is the Perfect place for a nice easy hike. We lucked out on the weather in November and got this wonderful sunny day. We saw two bald eagles just 20 feet away from us, and a seal was spying on us as we walked along the beach. Bring some sunglasses cause it reflects off the water this time of year and it’s quite bright. The foliage keeps the window away along the bluff but down by the beach it really picks up.

Love the park. This park has everything- parking, easy to follow trail signs, easy trails for kids, historical village, view of Puget Sound and mountains, lighthouse and beaches. We even saw a cute pup sunbath near the lighthouse.

Great park for dog walks. Lots of opportunity for trail running. It can get crowded on the weekends.

Large park with much to explore. Good kids playground and beautiful beach. It can smell a little near the treatment plant but don’t be deterred it’s not overpowering. Bring a lunch. Parking is free I suggest south lot if you’re walking to the beach. Some restrooms and honey buckets at the parking lot.

Its great place for nature lover. Lash green within the heart of the city

Wow, wilderness feel a bus ride away. We only managed to make it through part of the park on this visit but will be back. Easy trails with sun or shade and signage was pretty good, as to keep you from getting lost. I suggest you bring some water if the day is warm or at least a bottle, fountains available.

Its an almost old forest in the city. Lots of trails, paths and roads. No traffic now since the shut down. Which is good. You can hear the birds and the breeze in the trees.You can get sort of lost, but then cross a main trail or road. Take snacks and water. And please keep your dog on a leash. Some folks are afraid of dogs.

Quick escape from the city. Due to COVID, all parking lots are closed, but can park on the streets and walk to the park. There are biking paths and hiking trails. The trails are very easy. It leads to the beach and excellent views of mountains on a clear day. There are areas where people can play with their dogs or relax with their families.

Nature and the open water of the puget sound. What can I say. This is a must see if you are visiting the area.

Great re-use of an old fort. Open spaces, well-kept walking trails, and good views if the sound.

Its amazing that there is such a hideout in city! Sit there and watch the ships. Go there around high tide days to watch some waves splash on the shore. Walk on magnolia Blvd and dream about houses that face the lake and mt rainier. You just cant get enough of those views.

Im just visiting Seattle for a few days and wanted to get a good hike in. This place is great because its not far from the city distance wise and yet it FEELS like youre from from the city. Hiked out to the South Beach and the Lighthouse using the loop trail, and then took Hidden Valley Trail to the Visitor Center. If you want to get out and see nature while staying close the city this is your place!

What a great wooded area. If you work at it you can go it the water, get wet, or just sit on the beach. Its a great place for a day trip

Excellent park in Seattle, get miles on your tracker with all trails. Great view of Olympics and mount Rainier.

Do the extended loop, if you’re are looking for a good run.

First time here and I would defenetly be back. Great tasting hawaian tacos. They are a bit pricey but worth the experience. And the downtown location has a great atmosphere.

Beautiful trails easy to moderate plenty of places to stop rest and enjoy the view, good for peaceful walk, jog, run, some big stairs along trail, nice views of the water, restrooms available, multiple parking lots easy, north and west, this is a nice local hike with plenty to enjoy, there is a large play area just behind the visiting center too.

Beautiful park inside the city limits of Seattle but you can barely tell. Abundant parking and trails so half the city can be there with you and you still have space to move around. Also great water views, beach, stairs to climb, flat trails and some actual wildlife beyond squirrels.

Great park! Lots of trails and near the water

Discovery Park is a nice park.Lots of nice trails to walk on.Beaches and West Point Lighthouse.Good parking areas.

The best place to get away from the city and reconnect with nature without actually getting away from the city!Last time there we saw an owl out in the daylight.Love the ability to sit down by the lighthouse and reflect and listen to the Sound.Trails are pretty well maintained for how trafficked it is, and they have lots of rest points for those who need it.

Excellent for casual urban walk/hike for all levels of hikers from toddlers to trail runners.