Alki Beach Park
Rate this placeNearby: Bar-S Playground Richey Viewpoint
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Alki Beach Park is a beautiful and popular beach park located in the state of Washington.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
It is located in West Seattle and offers stunning views of the Seattle skyline across the water. There are many good reasons to visit Alki Beach Park, including swimming, sunbathing, beach volleyball, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The park also has several picnic areas and a boardwalk with restaurants and shops.
One of the specific points of interest to see at Alki Beach Park is the Alki Point Lighthouse, which was built in 1913 and is still in operation today. The park also has a large statue of Chief Seattle, the famous Native American leader who the city of Seattle is named after.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Alki Beach Park was the site of the first landing of the Denny Party, the group of settlers who founded the city of Seattle. The park also played a significant role in the early development of aviation, as it was the site of the first airplane flight on the West Coast.
The best time of year to visit Alki Beach Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and can be enjoyed in all seasons.
Overall, Alki Beach Park is a beautiful and historic park that offers a variety of activities and points of interest for visitors to enjoy. It is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Seattle or the surrounding area.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Cascadia Marine Trail
Manchester State Park
Manchester State Park Campground
Illahee State Park
Fay Bainbridge State Park
Fay Bainbridge State Park campsite
Bar-S Playground
Richey Viewpoint
Alki Playground
Schmitz Park
Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook