Seward Park Walking Tour
A companion for a historical walk in Seattle's Seward Park
Overview and Walking Route
Almost entirely encircled by Lake Washington is the 300-acre Seward Park, in southeast Seattle. The City of Seattle bought the land for the park in 1911, naming it after William H. Seward, the Secretary of State responsible for the United States’ 1867 purchase of Alaska.
Ecosystems abound at Seward Park--including Seattle’s only old growth forest, meadows, shoreline, and habitat for fish and turtles. There is lots to discover! Look for Bald Eagles' nests as you hike 5 miles’ worth of trails, bike or walk along the 2.4-mile lakeside path, hand launch your non-motorized boat, or play at the beach. Explore the Seward Park Audubon Center, enjoy the amphitheater, wander through the native plant garden, and create at the art studio.
Seward Park Overview
Select each stop for walking route details and directions to the next stop.
Zoom in to explore route.
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1. An Island or a Peninsula?
2. What is Pinoy Hill?
3. Who was Lake Washington's Cleanup Champion?
4. How did Lake Washington become a Fisherman’s Paradise?
5. Swimming or Boating—What’s Your Pleasure?
6. What Can the Land Tell Us of the Past?
Bare Earth Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)
Swipe the bar for Aerial View / Bare Earth LiDAR
This walking tour was created through a cooperative agreement between Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks and Recreation with assistance from the Friends of Seward Park, Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks, the Rainier Valley Historical Society, the Audubon Society, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, HistoryLink, and Seattle Information Technology. All video footage courtesy of Nate Smith. All photos courtesy of Seattle Municipal Archives and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe unless otherwise noted.
© 2019 City of Seattle