Destination guide
Seward Park, Seattle: Old-Growth Forest and Where to Stay
Updated August 2026
Seward Park occupies Bailey Peninsula, a forested point jutting into Lake Washington in southeast Seattle -- 300 acres that include one of the last old-growth forest remnants left inside Seattle city limits. The city bought the peninsula in 1911 for $322,000, following a plan influenced by the Olmsted Brothers.
The park itself A 2.4-mile paved perimeter loop circles the peninsula, passing swim beaches, boat launches, a 1927 bathhouse, and a Greek-style amphitheater carved into the hillside in 1953. Eagles nest in the old growth here -- a real rarity this close to a major city.
Seward Park Audubon Center Right at the park entrance, with a nature store, a free library, and binocular loans for visitors who want a closer look at the park's resident bird life.
Points of interest
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118
300 acres on Bailey Peninsula, including one of Seattle's last old-growth forest remnants, a 2.4-mile paved perimeter loop, swim beaches, and boat launches.
- Open 6am-10pm
- Phone (206) 684-4396
Seward Park Audubon Center
5902 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle, WA 98118
A nature center at the park entrance with a store, a free library, and binocular loans.
- Open Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm -- closed Mon/Tue
Eat & drink
Zeeks Pizza -- Seward Park
4920 S Genesee St, Seattle, WA 98118
A neighborhood pizza spot a few blocks from the park entrance.
- Open 11am-9pm daily
Quick facts
- Seward Park
- 300 acres on Bailey Peninsula -- one of the last old-growth forest remnants inside Seattle
- Purchased by the city
- 1911, for $322,000 -- named for U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward
- Perimeter loop
- 2.4 miles, paved, flat -- good for a stroller or a bike
- Insider tip
- The amphitheater carved into the hillside in 1953 is easy to miss but worth finding -- a quiet spot most visitors walk right past.
Where to stay
Sikes Vacations has a stay here, booked directly with no platform fee added at checkout:
See real-time pricing for these, or everything else Sikes Vacations has, on the rates & availability page.
Guest feedback
No feedback yet — be the first to share yours.