Paddle Boarding on Green Lake in Seattle, WA
Details
Distance: Varies
Time Estimate: Varies
Skill Level: Beginner
Water Type: Lake
Directions: Green Lake Park – 7201 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115
Fees: Free parking for several hours in Greenlake Park parking lot. Some free street parking if you’re willing to walk a few blocks from the lake. Paid street parking surrounding popular areas of the lake.
Overview
Green Lake is an iconic stand-up paddleboard spot in Seattle! The convenient and calm waters are perfect for all skill levels – even those just getting out on the water for the first time! The setting is beautiful – a 324-acre park with a 2.4 mile trail around the lake. Wildlife could include hawks, turtles, ducks, and other birds galore!
The directions above point you to the main park, but honestly you can drop in pretty easily anywhere along the lake. The park will be packed during the summer (and difficult for finding a good parking spot) so be prepared to walk your board a ways if you want to launch from the main park. Otherwise, just keep driving around until you find a convenient spot.
Paddle directly across the center (no motorized boats allowed on the water) or the circumfrance of the lake.
Throughout the summer the lake hosts a decent amount of lily pads, usually towards the south side. The lake also experiences algal blooms in the late summer and early fall, so I recommend checking out Green Lake early/mid-summer. You can check the water status here.
Rentals are seasonally available for $18 – $25 an hour from the Greenlake Boathouse, in the northwest corner of the park. They open weekends starting in May, then every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
