North Creek Park Boardwalk
1 week ago
Boardwalk wobbly in places, plants encroaching
4 this month · 20 reports
Magnolia Tidelands Park
Puget Sound and Islands
updated 8 months ago
Magnolia Tidelands Park offers a unique nighttime beach walking experience, contingent on low tide schedules aligning with bus service. Access is typically via the Metro Bus 33, with a common starting point at Thorndyke and Blaine in south Magnolia, connecting to Discovery Park. The tidelands stretch from Discovery Park to Elliott Bay Marina. Reports from late 2025 and early 2026 indicate good conditions for walking the beach when the tide is low enough (below +4 feet), with clear skies offering views of city lights. Drinking fountains and restrooms are available in Discovery Park.
Generated from 10 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Magnolia Tidelands Park
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 8 months ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 8 months, so everything below is at least that old.
The primary method of access for nighttime walks is typically via the Metro Bus 33. The bus route runs until 9 PM, making it a viable option when combined with low tide schedules. One common starting point for the bus is at Thorndyke and Blaine in south Magnolia.
Yes, the tide needs to be below approximately +4 feet for the entire distance to keep one's feet dry. Reports indicate low tides below zero have been observed, making the walk very accessible.
Conditions are generally favorable for nighttime beach walks when the tide is low. Reports from November 2025 and January 2026 mention clear skies and good views of city lights across the water, with minimal need for headlamps due to light reflection.
Restrooms and drinking fountains are available in Discovery Park, often near the bus stop and parking lots. One report from November 2025 specifically mentions an open restroom and drinking fountain next to the North Parking Lot in Discovery Park, and another near the Lighthouse.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older8 months ago
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
It was too cold this morning to want to go outside, when I finally did I ended up picking up trash all afternoon. Good thing the tide was low enough early enough this evening for me to use the bus to...
Older8 months ago
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
No sooner had I finished my bike ride than it was time for this nighttime gem, awalk around Magnolia Bluffon the beach.Having checked thetide tableto find my window of opportunity was from 5 to 11 PM,...
Older9 months ago
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
You probably wouldn't drive to and go for a hike in the woods when the weather is nice after dark. This one can only be done nocturnally this time of year due to the tides.A break in the weather mean...
Older10 months ago
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
From Seattle Parks Department: "Magnolia Tidelands Park comprises the tideland area below Magnolia Bluff from Discovery Park to Elliott Bay Marina."This is a fine evening stroll when the bus schedule...
Older10 months ago
Puget Sound and Islands > Seattle-Tacoma Area
Ever hike at night? This walk on the beach around Magnolia Bluff is a good one when the low tide and bus schedule line up.I parked at Smith Cove Park. They recently closed the bus stop in the middle...
Older21 months ago
Waking up to rain, I was glad I took advantage of the brief weather window and walked this last night.33 busleaves Elliott and Proctor (east side) bound for Discovery Park north parking lot. The only...
Older21 months ago
This is a good one for when you realize you wasted the day watching football but still want a little exercise, more fun than just a walk around the neighborhood.I took the bus both to and from this ti...
Older21 months ago
This time of year we have to make the most of the brief calm between storms, by the time you read this it will be raining again. Not many hikes you'd want to go on in the dark, tides dictate that is ...
Older21 months ago
Holy Catfish! Since the Seahawks game wasn't on broadcast tv I did the next best thing - listened to it on the radio while circumnavigating Magnolia.Crossed the Locks from Ballard. Tide was cooperat...
Older21 months ago
Looking forward to the forecast heavy rain to test out my "new" Christmas coat, tide was such I was able to achieve thisloop around Magnoliawithout having to wait until the wee hours.From Ballard, I c...