Seattle Parks: Book Tickets Now

Mountains, rain forest and Pacific coastline at Olympic National Park, plus a zoo set inside a Seattle city park.

Olympic National Park: All-Inclusive Small Group Day Trip from Seattle

From $319.69

Woodland Park Zoo: Skip The Line

From $22.95

5.0 (1)

Seattle has green space in two different sizes. Woodland Park holds Woodland Park Zoo in the north of the city, and Olympic National Park, a short trip across Puget Sound, stretches over nearly a million acres. One makes a relaxed half-day and the other fills a whole one.

Book your tickets online and choose the outdoor day that suits you.

More About Seattle's Parks

Olympic National Park: three landscapes in one park

Olympic National Park became a national park in 1938, after about three decades as a national monument. It protects more than 900,000 acres on the Olympic Peninsula and holds three very different landscapes: glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forest and 73 miles of wild Pacific coast. You can pass through more than one of them in a single day.

That variety is the main reason the park stays on so many Pacific Northwest lists.

Rain forest, mountains and coast on the Olympic Peninsula

The highest peak in the park, Mount Olympus, rises to just under 8,000 feet and is surrounded by glaciers. The western valleys are home to rain forest, including the Hoh Rain Forest, which is among the wettest places in the continental United States. Roosevelt elk live in the park, and the coastline is rocky and wild.

Olympic National Park was named a World Heritage Site in 1981, which reflects how rare this mix of habitats is.

Woodland Park Zoo in Woodland Park

Woodland Park Zoo takes up the western half of Woodland Park, in north Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood. The zoo covers 92 acres, so a visit feels more like a long walk through different habitats than a stop on a checklist. Areas include the Northern Trail, the African Savanna and the Tropical Rain Forest, all arranged to feel closer to the animals’ home environments.

It is a good choice for anyone who wants green space and wildlife without leaving the city.

Good to Know Before Visiting Seattle Parks

Olympic National Park is across Puget Sound on the Olympic Peninsula, so the day trip takes up most of the day.

The park holds mountains, rain forest and coastline, and conditions can differ a lot between them.

The western rain forest valleys are among the wettest places in the continental United States, so waterproof layers are worth packing even if Seattle is dry.

Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes, since paths in the park can be uneven or damp.

Woodland Park Zoo sits in the western half of Woodland Park, in Phinney Ridge in north Seattle.

The zoo covers 92 acres, so expect plenty of walking and plan to dress for the weather.

Each experience has its own meeting point or entrance, so check the time and location on your booking before the day.

Booking online ahead of time makes it easier to fit a park day around the rest of your Seattle plans.

Seattle Parks - Gallery

Seattle's Top 5 Picks

Seattle Aquarium

A Pier 59 waterfront aquarium focused on Puget Sound marine life, with a 400,000-gallon Underwater Dome at its center.

Sky View Observatory

A 360-degree viewing floor 902 feet up on the 73rd floor of Columbia Center, with Mount Rainier and the Space Needle in sight.

Woodland Park Zoo

A 92-acre zoo in Phinney Ridge known for habitat-style exhibits, from grizzly bears on the Northern Trail to giraffes on the African Savanna.

Smith Tower

A 1914 Pioneer Square skyscraper with a 35th-floor observatory, an open-air deck and the carved Chinese Room.

National Nordic Museum

A Ballard museum, in a purpose-built building that opened in 2018, devoted to the heritage of the five Nordic countries and Nordic Americans.

FAQs about Seattle Parks

What parks can I visit from Seattle?

You can take a day trip to Olympic National Park, or visit Woodland Park Zoo, which sits inside Woodland Park in north Seattle.

Where is Olympic National Park?

It is on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, across Puget Sound from Seattle.

When was Olympic National Park established?

It became a national park in 1938, after being protected as a national monument since 1909.

What landscapes does Olympic National Park have?

It has glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forest and a wild Pacific coastline.

How big is Olympic National Park?

The park covers more than 900,000 acres.

How tall is Mount Olympus?

Mount Olympus, the highest peak in the park, rises to just under 8,000 feet.

Is Olympic National Park a World Heritage Site?

Yes, it was named a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Can I visit Olympic National Park as a day trip from Seattle?

Yes, a small group day trip from Seattle lets you see part of the park without planning the route yourself.

What should I wear for Olympic National Park?

Comfortable shoes, layers and a waterproof jacket are a good idea, since conditions can change quickly.

Where is Woodland Park Zoo?

It is in the western half of Woodland Park, in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of north Seattle.

Can I book Seattle park tickets online in advance?

Yes, you can book online ahead of your visit and plan the rest of your day around it.