Field guide
The Discovery Park trail system for runners and hikers
Plan your run or hike on the Discovery Park trail. Find official information on parking, bus access, restrooms, and views of Puget Sound.
Discovery Park is a 534-acre natural area park located on Magnolia Bluff. It overlooks Puget Sound and offers views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges.
This guide provides practical information for runners and hikers using the park's trails. It covers access by car and bus, available facilities, and key features.
Official facts at a glance
- Park type and size
- Seattle's largest park, a 560-acre natural area
- Park size
- 534 acre natural area park
- Location
- Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound
- General parking lots
- 3 general-use parking lots (North Lot, East Lot, South Lot)
- ADA parking
- Beach Lot (ADA placard required)
- Shuttle operating days/hours
- Thursdays through Sundays through November 1 from 11 AM – 5 PM
- Bus access
- King County Metro operates two bus lines (Route #24 and #33)
- Restrooms
- Available
- Drinking water
- Drinking fountains available
- Shuttle restrictions
- Pets, coolers, surf/paddleboards, and other bulky items are not allowed on the shuttle
- Views
- Spectacular views of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges
- Notable feature
- West Point Lighthouse (established 1881, viewable from South Beach Trail)
Sources: Discovery Park (seattle.gov), Seattle Municipal Archives Digital Collections (archives.seattle.gov), Discovery Park Summer Camps (seattle.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
The park environment
As Seattle's largest park, this natural area provides a varied landscape for running and hiking. The South Beach Trail offers a view of the historic West Point Lighthouse.
Getting to the park
The park has three general-use parking lots: the North Lot, East Lot, and South Lot. The Beach Lot is reserved for vehicles with a valid ADA placard.
Public transportation is available via King County Metro bus routes #24 and #33, which provide service to the park.
Facilities and shuttle service
Restrooms and drinking fountains are available for public use within the park.
A shuttle operates Thursdays through Sundays until November 1, from 11 AM to 5 PM. Pets, coolers, and other bulky items are not allowed on the shuttle.
Before you go
- Confirm the current schedule for King County Metro routes #24 and #33.
- The Beach Lot requires an ADA placard for parking.
- If you plan to use the seasonal shuttle, check its operating days and hours.
- Note the restrictions for the shuttle, as pets and bulky items are not permitted.
- Drinking fountains are available, which can be useful for refilling water bottles.
Nearby options: running and active spots in Seattle. All cities: City running and hiking guides.