Elliott Bay Park
Rate this placeNearby: Myrtle Edwards Park Kinnear Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Elliott Bay Park is a popular waterfront park located in Seattle, Washington.
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Summary
It covers an area of 9.3 acres and has a variety of features that make it a great place to visit. Some reasons to visit the park include its stunning views of the Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier, and its access to the beach and water.
One of the main points of interest in the park is the sculpture garden, which features a number of outdoor artworks by local and international artists. There is also a walking path that runs along the waterfront, providing visitors with a chance to enjoy the scenery and get some exercise.
Interesting facts about the area include that the park was originally used as a dumping ground for rubble from the construction of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and that it was not officially opened to the public until the early 2000s. Additionally, the park is home to a number of different species of wildlife, including sea birds, seals, and even occasional sightings of orcas.
The best time of year to visit depends on personal preference, but the summer months (June to August) are generally the warmest and most popular. However, the park is open year-round and may offer unique experiences during the fall and winter months.
Overall, Elliott Bay Park is a great destination for visitors to the Seattle area who are looking for a chance to enjoy nature, art, and the beautiful waterfront views of the Puget Sound.
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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.
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