Discovery Park

Discovery Park is Seattle's largest city park, covering about 534 acres at 3801 Discovery Park Boulevard in the Magnolia neighbourhood, on a bluff above Puget Sound in Washington. It occupies the former Fort Lawton army base, and some historic military buildings still stand near the edges. The park protects a mix of habitats: forest, meadow, sea cliffs, dunes and two miles of beach. Visitors can walk the roughly 2.8-mile Loop Trail, which circles the park and passes through meadows and woods, with side trails down to the beach. The West Point Lighthouse, built in 1881, stands at the park's western tip and is reached by a beach walk of about a mile from the parking lot, and the shoreline offers views across the sound to the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier on clear days. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, operated by United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, sits within the park and hosts exhibitions and events. Birdwatchers regularly spot bald eagles, herons and many songbirds, and the meadows are good for observing wildlife. The visitor centre, open roughly 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, provides maps and information. A visit generally takes two to three hours, though hikers can spend a full day exploring. The park is open daily and is free, with free parking at the visitor centre, and King County Metro Route 33 serves the visitor centre. Crowds are small compared with downtown attractions, and weekday mornings are quiet. Clear mornings and late afternoons give the best views and light for photographs, and the beach is most pleasant at low tide. Trails can be muddy after rain, so sturdy shoes are advisable, and weather can shift quickly along the water.