Carkeek Park
950 NW Carkeek Park Road
Seattle, WA 98177 (206) 684-0877
- Good for Kids: Yes
36 Reviews for Carkeek Park
I heart Carkeek Park. Well, actually I heart the Blue Ridge gated beach... but its attached to Carkeek Park, so I think I heart both.
We have 3 little pooches and its nice to take them out for a romp on the beach, and it's close by our neighborhood. Carkeek is a little gravely in parts, but if you are lucky enough to have access to the Blue Ridge beach its mostly sand which is much friendlier to puppy pads.
Beware of frequent trains if you bring a sketchy dog, they will surely take off as the tracks are very close. OH, and pick up your poop. The poop fairy doesn't live there.
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This place is purdy and seemingly unknown by many. That'd be a good thing in my book. 'Cause I like pretty places that are unknown or relatively unknown.
Trains roll by. Trains are fun.
Beautiful views.
My dog loved it.
I should be there now.
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Wow, this place was packed the Saturday afternoon we went! Then again, I imagine any park in Seattle would be when the weather reaches 90 degrees right? This place is huge and would really accommodate for any sort of gathering or bbq'ing since there are a couple of different lawns you can choose from, and shelters are also available. Kids will also like the playground area; I tried to get my fiance to go on the swings with me so he could show off his backflip off of one but I got denied. The beach area was pretty large, although there was about 6-8 kite surfers setting up their gear so they took up a good amount of space. We will definitely be back with a group of friends for some bbq time!
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I found this park while wandering one day through northwest Seattle, and am ashamed to say I had no idea it existed. Carkeek is absolutely a hidden gem. Old growth forests, trails, empty beaches; it's pretty special, and for just a moment, you can forget you're in the Seattle city limits. To me, Seattle seems to be lacking one great flagship park, but Carkeek is an excellent Pacific Northwest experience.
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How in the world did I miss that this place actually existed? I've driven by the QFC and Carkeek Park Vet, where I take my cats, but somehow missed that an actual park exists. I thought it was like the basselope: frequently talked about, but fictional.
Though my story is harrowing, I don't blame the park. I blame only myself.
After a friend told me she takes walks through Carkeek by herself to relax, it occurred to me that I might do the same. God's beautiful ass shined light onto my head through patches of clouds, and I made my way through the trails all the way down to the beach.
I admired the train tracks that extend south to Golden Gardens, and north to China and Australia. A band was filming a musical video on the beach, which only added to the curious novelty of my day.
After roaming around the playground above the beach, I decided to get back to my car, but taking a different route through the park. This route dropped me off in the surrounding suburbs, which I thought I could easily use as a shortcut back to the parking lot.
No.
Already weak from hunger, and with no energy bars on me to rescue my plummeting blood sugar, I wearily dragged my body up and down the suburban roads, stopped every now and then to curse my parents for giving birth to me.
Eventually, I surrendered and did the unspeakable for someone with an obsession with their own skewed sense of efficiency: I doubled back.
Following my path back into the park, I made my way back to the original trail I took coming in, and, marshaling my last few vesicles of glucose, ran back to my car like a drunken maniac.
Fool me once? Shame on you. Fool me twice? I don't think so.
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Great park for groups like family bbq, school class outings, bday parties....but also nice to just come here to get away...it's like closing out the external world for a while.
I don't like the fact that you have to take the stairs up and down from the beach but it is good exercise.
This is definately a kids' place, but grownups can enjoy it just as well.
Oh, the wonders of the internet! I would never have found Carkeek Park if I had not been looking for a new venue for our annual summer picnic some 3 years ago.
In bullet points (I'm a bullet point type of girl lately):
* It's hidden a bit away by trees, so it may not be so obvious... but it has beach access, nice wide greens surrounded by picnic tables (with grills!), a couple of shelters, a playground, and a trail. (As I've hosted the last couple of picnic/barbecues, I have not been able to check out the trail, but I hear it's pretty nice).
* If it's not too crowded, and there's nobody playing frisbee or soccer on the wide green, you could probably spread out there with picnic blankets.
* Your reservation for a table with a grill is good for the whole day (so I've learned from Seattle Parks), but make sure you come early anyway, because the park is fairly popular on sunny days, and other occupants may resent having to leave the table they thought was free.
* Train sounds always call for attention. :3
* The water is always cold, though, so watch out if you're thinking of going out for a swim.
* A wonderful view for watching the sunset... which is at about 9pm in the summer.
This place is fantastic. Absolutely perfect example of an urban forest. On par with the bois de Boulogne in Paris (except only kinda sorta since that park was designed). Anyways, I love the trails as they're dog friendly--except for one--and the amount of vibrancy that surrounds you is just overwhelming. I'll be bringing a group of 20-30 to the fire pit to celebrate to start of the Folk Life festival in a couple weeks. Expect a report back soon! :)
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I went to Carkeek just a few days ago and it was a hauntingly surreal wasteland of salmon carcasses. A human carcass was found buried here a few years back but don't go getting any ideas.
People tend to speed down the winding road to the lot so I prefer to park on the street and take the trailhead near QFC, which runs by the lovely orchard. When you're crossing the bridge over the tracks, be sure to wait for a train before heading down to the beach...it's a rush to stand *directly* above it as it passes through.
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Located in a nondescript area of Seattle's north end, Carkeek is a gem of a park. On any given day, it offers breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic range. The park features a great little beach on the water's edge, a large playground and picnic area on the grassy bluff, and light hiking trails amidst the wooods; something for everyone. Note that pets are prohibited on the beach - a bummer for pet owners but also peace of mind for parents with little kids (no poop presents left behind by irresponsible owners).
Caveat: This is a high prowl area. If you drive, do not leave anything even remotely valuable in sight.
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A beautiful park with plenty of trails, some streams, a beach, great views of the Olympics, and an environmental education center. This park has a well-earned reputation of being a way cool place.
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I went here once with a friend and saw all kinds of mussels and the like on the beach. If you touched them they closed up. I have no idea what they were called but that was cool. Another time I went here for a little kid's birthday party and met another guest who was from the same town I am from in Indiana and we figured out our dads knew each other. Weird. I can't promise that will happen to you here. However, the beach is cool, there's a nice view of the Sound, some trails and open spaces for kids and dogs to play and all the stuff you expect from a good park. I like how it's kind of tucked away from many things in the city. Note: There are cars here, but no keeks.
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This park is AWESOME! My sister and my nephew live by there and we have been a few times. The views are great and there is a big grassy area for the lil guy to practice all his sports. There are lots of trails and lil hidden places I would love to go and discover. Maybe I will do that soon. On a clear day, the mountains are in full view, and it makes you really appreciate all the NW has to offer. Yeah Carkeek!
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Everyone praises this park... but it has a secret history I will give you a quick glimpse into!
First... this park has Huckleberries! Natures Sour Patch Kids! My favorite food ever! To illustrate, if I was forced to pound Huckleberries into everyone one of my face holes every day, for the rest of my life I'd be perfectly proud and contented to do so! YAY, FREAKING YAY, HUCKLEBERRIES!
Please don't eat them... they're all mine.
When I was five years old you were still allowed to clam on this beach, in fact I'm so old I think you were allowed to smoke your salmon with the Native Americans on this beach! We were walking out over the train tracks, across the metal bridge when a terrible wind shot past. It picked up my 3 year old brother and shot him off the bridge to his certain death! Luckily or perhaps not, my psychic grandmother (Magic Millie) was there and she snatched him by his forearm and pulled him back onto the bridge! So for all of you skeptics out there... maybe you don't know everything ay?
I'm going to tell a couple more stories later, but right now I have to go clean up the most disgusting thing you've ever seen off of a packing crate.
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It had been awhile since visiting this park, so when a friend suggested heading north to check it out we jumped into the car with the dog and gave it a whirl. Walked down to the beach (yes, quite illegal with the dog, huh? I am crazy like that) although were sad to find out with the tides in we couldn't walk far in either direction...so we hit the bluff trail, which was totally short and ended up in a meadow that backed up to some houses. Hmmm...now what...we hit some additional trails on the south side of the park, gazed at the leaves and told some stories before hitting the playground...be careful on the see-saw if you are small like me you could end up with a bruised tailbone.
All in all, it's a mighty fine park, but I think I still heart Discovery the best for my urban in-city escapes.
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This is a great park. You can access the sound, lose yourself in the trees, and possibly discover hidden treasure (no, seriously). I like Carkeek for the variety of terrain and the unmanicured landscape. There a bunch of great trails for walking and running. I found a great 5k course, and several hour or two hour hikes.
As for the treasure hunts, letterboxes live here.
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This is an all-around great little park. There are interesting trails into the woods which lead to views above the water. There's also a lovely grassy field to play frisbee or just lay on a blanket to read or take a nap. If you get there early enough there's ample parking. The real draw, of course, is the trail to the beach head. There's an overpass to cross the tracks and if you hang out up there you can watch the trains go by and feel the vibrations of their engines. I would think kids into trains would love this place. Lots of families and people with dogs enjoy this park. I went there on a windy day and watched kiteboarders do their thing. Gorgeous! Get out there and enjoy!
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I'm a fan. I actually brag about living close by.
I really can't tell you why but walking through Carkeek park reminds me of Jurassic Park, but in a good way. Was the scenery really pretty in that movie? I don't remember..it's been a while. And moving on.. This park is great. Lots and lots of trees, trails, streams, an orchard, great view, place to picnic, beach..
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Yeah, yeah, it's pretty, it's got trees, if you have a dog you can walk it there.
But, what really sets this park apart from all the others is the natural clay beds in the creeks. If you scrape at the walls of the creeks you'll come up with not mud, but actual clay, which make some damn fine mud pies when left out to dry for an hour or so - and c'mon, for those of us who don't have dogs, what else are we going to do at a park?
Update:
You can no longer harvest clay from the creeks because of spawning salmon. Officially you are not supposed to make loud noises or sudden movements. I'd also assume you shouldn't look at the fish or make jokes at their expense. Sensitive creatures that they are...
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A very nice park. I came here in 2006 with a friend so we could spend some time wandering about. There are nice trails through the woods and places to walk along the beach. Good birds to notice. Parking may be a little difficult. Expect to walk to where your party might be happening. I was there again today with a bunch of swing dancers for a bbq. Again, nice and pleasant on the hill.
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It's great. Carkeek has the largest variety of habitats anywhere in the city limits, and it's the site of ongoing ecological restoration projects, most of which are in some way or another related to their efforts to bring salmon runs back to Piper's Creek. Hike the trails and go to the beach at low tide. If you come at the right time of month (don't laugh!), watch the sunset and sit on one of the large rocks on the beach as the tide comes in around you. Purdy, and highly recommended.
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When I moved to Broadview, I'd never been to Carkeek... so I was pretty surprised at how cool it was when I walked through there the first time. Lots of wooded trails and an amazing view from the north meadow. I can't believe this is practically my backyard now. I feel so lucky, like I can just hike a few minutes from my house and be on vacation. The trails are great for dog walking... I just wish I could take Sophie all the way down to the beach.
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I live really close to this park (I can see it from my bedroom window). I have explored this park throughly and it is really beautiful. Great place to walk the dog, jog, bike, make-out, smoke a joint and all the other great park related activities.
In November I saw the salmon running which was really exciting to experience!
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We ended up coming here last weekend, figuring the crowds at Golden Gardens might be too much to bear, and ending up staying until we ran out of sunscreen and water. Unlike GG which offers just a beach, Carkeek has two large lawns (great for frisbee), plenty of picnic benches, and some short hiking trails, not to mention a great overlook of the sound. I also really liked the giant peices of driftwood, one of which can be used as a see-saw.
Downsides:
1. The Beach - It's much rockier than Golden Gardens, and finding a nice spot to slip in the water without risk of twisting an ankle proved difficult.
2. Parking - On a very warm Sunday afternoon, we found it challenging, but not impossible.
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Oh Carkeek Park, how I love thee. You there, get out of my park! No, for reals. get out.
sigh......
As much as I want to keep this beautiful park a secret, I just can't. I have whiled away many afternoons at Carkeek, hiking the trails, watching the trains, and lounging on the beach while listening to the sound of the waves. This is easily one of the best parks in the city.
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I am hesitant to review this park - I don't want the best kept secret in Seattle to get out!
This is definitely the most underrated park in Seattle.
Majestic views of the Olympic Mountains, miles of rocky beach, multiple forested trails, entertaining playground, and plenty of parking (always important... especially if you stick to visiting Golden Gardens).
Always my favorite, even the drive to enter the park is wonderful. Absolutely the best
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Easily the best park within city limits. Miles of hiking, beautiful beach, great activity fields, amazing views, great kids playground, this park is huge and just about perfect.
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I agree with Maria C -- this is a great park. It is always my first choice because you get the beach, the train, the woods, the view of the Olympics, easy parking, and a great play area. Their environmental education center is very cool, too. The only thing I don't like is that the trails are a bit boring and undeveloped.
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Carkeek is a lot bigger than it seems; it's got miles of trails that I haven't even explored yet. I love the different areas of the park--the big grassy lawn by the salmon run building, the beach, the little bog, and of course the wooded trails. There's also a great playground and picnic area. It's a great place to come at night too, to see the moonlight on the water or just hang out.
Tip: When I go to Carkeek I like to park at the little trailhead site by the apartment buildings, rather than the main lot. It's a bit tricky to find, but if you're coming west on Northgate/105th go dead straight, rather than following the main road. Then take a right on 3rd and the next left. The trailhead's a block down on the right. Someone correct me if I'm wrong about this ;)
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Woods, water, sand, sun, fun and of course, trains! This is a great park, a little less crowded than Golden Gardens to the south. The trails are good little mini hikes with some amazing viewpoints from the bluff above the beach and plenty of viewing spots of Pipers Creek. Go in August and try to see salmon, which have finally been reintroduced. To get to the beach there's a pedestrian overpass over the railroad tracks. Of course it's a big attraction to be on the overpass when a train goes through right underneath you. There's an Environmental Learning Center, playground, big field, and plenty of space to enjoy a day.
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Kid heaven. Playgrounds, grass, bugs. What more do they need?
Classes for the rest of us as well as trails to wander around on so we can commune with nature.
That overpass, wow, it got to me as a kid. I had this crazy dream where I was stuck on it and there weren't any stairs on either side, a never-ending train just rolled on underneath. It was a scary yet exciting moment. Even now walking over it is a trip, but pure fun, ah memories.
Later on we'd head there to drink and party. They seem to have cracked down on that somewhat but its still a great place to head during the day if your in the neighborhood and want to check out the a less frequented beach park. If you want to use the picnic stuff I remember them being pretty crazy about reservations on weekends so plan ahead.
Feels like a miniature Discovery Park, plus trains. The trails are short and most end up back at the parking lot, so it's hard to get too lost. A pedestrian overpass leads to the beach--not huge, but there's lots of driftwood and a wonderful view. There's also a nature center and a big field for tag, kickball, and etc. Ample picnic areas and parking.
I have no idea where this park is or what part of it I was in, but the natural beauty was magnificent. I also enjoyed the scenery. :-) There is a nice long trail that apparently goes all around the park and leads to a great beach that's very similar to Richmond Beach. Actually the view is better... more like Larabee State Park up off Chuckanut Drive in Whatcom county. There is a cool orchard that reminded me of my childhood. Mom my used to yell: "Go run around the cherry tree Sam" whenever I was too full of energy to behave. This orchard is a bit bigger than the one I grew up lying under the trees in, but I was still unable to behave completely. Speaking of misbehaving, dogs are apparently allowed to run and poop freely in the park, which is a unique feature. But once you arrive at the beach, there are a good number of logs to sit on and chat, but the beach is not really big enough for a long walk. Although, I heard you can walk to Golden Gardens at low tide if you want, so I could be wrong. I'd like to sit out there at sunset with a blanket, a bottle of wine, and some cheese. I bet it would be something else.
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We prefer to stick to the trails and playground at this westerly park/beach. Plenty of space to play, however I find the beach can be "stinky." Head a bit further North and you'll find Richmond beach which has a sprawling beach space (smell free) but lacks the trail/park/playground area.
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