Discovery Park
3801 Discovery Park Blvd.
Seattle, WA 98199
(206) 386-4236
www.seattle.gov
Discovery Park offers a variety of hiking paths, tidal beaches, a lighthouse, sea cliffs, open meadows, forest groves and streams, all of which are open to leashed dogs. With 534 acres, Discovery is Seattle’s largest city park with new pathways to discover on every visit. History buffs will enjoy the 19th century buildings, photographers the scenic views and beautiful flowers, sun worshipers will picnic in open meadows while shade seekers can relax under shady trees. Fido and the kiddos will have so much fun exploring, they‘ll probably be sleeping on the car ride home.
Washington Park Arboretum
2300 Arboretum Drive E.
Seattle, WA, 98195
(206) 543-8800
www.depts.washington.edu
Washington Park Arboretum welcomes leashed pets on all the trails throughout the 230 acres. The extensive trails range from paved roads to dirt paths to the wetlands area where it can get muddy. There are plenty of open areas perfect for having a picnic as well as many benches for resting along the trails. The hike can even be somewhat educational since many of the trees and plants are marked by name and/or species, helping you identify local and unusual plant life.
Rattlesnake Ledge / Mountain Trail
19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E.
North Bend, WA 98045
(206) 733-9421
www.your.kingcounty.gov
This Rattlesnake Ledge mountain trail’s first two-mile section is a very popular choice for locals where you can expect to see multiple hikers with dogs. The trail is a moderate climb to the top where there are incredible views of the Snoqualmie Valley and Rattlesnake Lake. Many hikers stop at the viewpoint while more adventurous trekkers can follow the trail west (and continue gaining elevation) for another nine miles to Snoqualmie Point Park. Hikers will need to carry enough water for themselves and their dogs as there is no water available along the entire trail. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times.
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Warren G. Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way N.E.
Seattle, WA 98127
(206) 684-4075
www.seattle.gov
The Warren G. Magnuson Park has everything a dog could want. There are trails to explore, lake access for swimming and a nine-acre off-leash area where they can play with other canines. There is a separate gated area for shy and smaller dogs to mingle and make friends. Drinking water is supplied throughout the park to help keep all dogs hydrated along with plastic bag dispensers and garbage bins for easy clean-up. The park is great for dogs all year but being able to swim in the lake makes it a summer favorite with the local four-legged crowd.
Boulder River Trail
French Creek Road and Highway 530
Darlington, WA 98223
www.fs.usda.gov
The Boulder River Trail an approximately seven-mile round-trip hike in Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest. The best thing about this trail is the dramatic waterfalls you encounter along the way. A couple of them have benches you can rest on while enjoying the view, including the Feature Show Falls that has a drop of nearly 200 feet. The trail parallels the river as it goes through old growth forest and crosses small creeks while gaining only 400 feet in elevation.
Kristy Stevens-Young is a freelance writer in Seattle. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
