Golden Gardens Park

May through September park hours are 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; October through April hours are 4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Parking gates open at 7 a.m.

Large beach lots fill rapidly on warm weekends. Gates open at 7 a.m.; before then, legal public parking is available along Seaview Avenue NW.

Use the lower beach lots for bathhouse, play area, fire pits, volleyball, pier, and launch. The off-leash dog area is in the upper northern park.

Restrooms are near the bathhouse and upper dog area, with operating hours that may differ from park grounds.

Beach, playground, trails, dog area, pier, and general access are free. Reservations, boat launch, parking where posted, food, and events may charge.

Developed beach and bathhouse areas include paved access, while sand, forest trails, rail crossings, and upper-lower grades vary.

Dogs are not allowed on the beach or children's play area. Use the one-acre upper off-leash area; leash dogs elsewhere.

Beach, play area, picnic space, trains, boats, and sunsets make a memorable outing, but cold water, rail crossings, fire pits, and crowds require supervision.

Buses reach Ballard approaches, with walking or cycling connections toward the park. The beach is downhill from many neighborhood stops.

In 2026 fire pits operate May 22 through September 7 unless a burn ban applies. Use only installed pits, clean firewood, no alcohol, and extinguish with water by 9:30 p.m.

Check Seattle's neighborhood forecast, rain, wind, heat, wildfire smoke, daylight, and water quality or tides where relevant. Shoreline and hilltop conditions can differ from downtown.