# Discovery Park & West Point Lighthouse: Puget Sound Winter Beach and Forest Loop

> Place to go for families in the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue area (WA). Times are Pacific Time.

- When: Park grounds open daily 4:00 AM–11:30 PM; Environmental Learning Center open Tue–Sun…
- Where: Discovery Park & West Point Lighthouse, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
- Ages: All ages; 2.8-mile Loop Trail suitable for rugged strollers; visitor center features interactive nature play exhibits
- Price: Free admission; Free parking in East, South, and North visitor parking lots; Beach parking permits available at visitor center for families with infants/young toddlers
- Schedule: Park grounds open daily 4:00 AM–11:30 PM; Environmental Learning Center open Tue–Sun 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
- Organizer: Seattle Parks and Recreation
- Official page: https://www.seattle.gov
- Last checked: Wed, Nov 4

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/seattle/activities/discovery-park-and-west-point-lighthouse-puget-sound-winter-beach-and--listing-70a2e887b3fa0919f067f3e6

## About

Spanning 534 scenic acres on the Magnolia bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park is Seattle's largest city park and a premier family winter nature retreat. On crisp winter days, the 2.8-mile gravel Loop Trail winds through mature evergreen forests and open meadows offering crystal-clear vistas across Elliott Bay to the snow-covered Olympic Mountain range.

A paved and gravel trail descends to the beach and the historic 1881 West Point Lighthouse, marking the northern entrance to Elliott Bay. Children love beachcombing along the driftwood-strewn sandy point, hunting for sea glass, and watching harbor seals, sea lions, and green Washington State Ferries gliding across the sound. The Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center offers heated restrooms, children's nature exhibits, and free parking.

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