
Howell Park
Seattle, Washington, United States
Restrooms
Not AvailableNo
Food & Drinks
Not AvailableNo
Parking
AvailableYes - limited street parking is available nearby
Nudity Policy
NOT REQUIREDNudity is not required
The Good
- Inclusive and Welcoming Atmosphere: Howell Park is a known favourite with Seattle's LGBTQ+ community. Its open and accepting atmosphere makes it an inviting place for everyone.
- Comfortable Relaxation Areas: The park offers a soft grassy area with abundant shade, providing a comfortable space for relaxation. The pebble beach section, though smaller, adds variety to the park's terrain.
- Diverse Activities: There is lots happening here, from impromptu yoga sessions to beach volleyball.
- Scenic and Peaceful: Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, Howell Park is a tranquil haven. Plus, the stunning view across the bay only enhances its serene appeal.
- Freshwater: Unlike the ocean's salty waves, Lake Washington offers fresh, clear water. During the summer, it tends to be warmer than the ocean, making for an enjoyable swimming experience.
The Bad
- Limited Parking: With no dedicated parking for the beach, finding a spot in the nearby residential area can be a challenge as spaces tend to fill up fast.
- Restricted Sunlight: The beach is surrounded by tall trees which can limit the amount of direct sunlight, especially in the late afternoon. This can also cause temperatures to drop quickly.
- Lack of Amenities: Unfortunately, Howell Park does not offer any food or drink vendors, and restroom facilities are not available.
- Compact Area: Due to its smaller size, the beach and grassy areas at Howell Park can get crowded quite quickly on warm summer days.

The Naked Truth
Howell Park is a cherished spot in Seattle's LGBTQ+ community, boasting a welcoming, laid-back and friendly atmosphere. While the beach area is small, the grassy park offers shaded picnic spots and opportunities for activities like yoga and beach volleyball. The hidden location provides tranquility and privacy, alongside stunning bay views. This location is much more private and serene compared to nearby Denny Blaine Beach. However, sun worshippers may find it challenging to bask in the rays here due to the surrounding foliage.
Insider Tip
Despite the 'no dogs' sign there are plenty of well behaved dogs on leash in the grassed area.
Who's Here
The full LGBTQIA+ spectrum with majority males. However obviously everyone else is welcomed here.
Beach Surface
Pebbles
Access Difficulty
Easy
Photos




Our Visit
Matt & Megan
Nude Beach Map. Visited 2023
Howell Park is this cool, welcoming spot that just vibes with everyone. It's a hot favourite amongst Seattle's LGBTQ+ community, but let's be real - no matter where you land on the spectrum, this place has got your back. We were a hetero couple in a sea of rainbows, and you know what? No one gave two hoots - in the best possible way. Folks here are friendly but not too in your face, and social without being all up in your business. It's just got this great balance between chill and chatty.
Matt & Megan
Nude Beach Map. Visited 2023
Howell Park is this cool, welcoming spot that just vibes with everyone. It's a hot favourite amongst Seattle's LGBTQ+ community, but let's be real - no matter where you land on the spectrum, this place has got your back. We were a hetero couple in a sea of rainbows, and you know what? No one gave two hoots - in the best possible way. Folks here are friendly but not too in your face, and social without being all up in your business. It's just got this great balance between chill and chatty.
There are only two well known nude beaches in Seattle and Howell Park is literally a stones throw away from the other nude beach - Denny Blaine. While Howell Park doesn't have as much beach area as Denny Blaine, it makes up for it with an enormous grassed area which is hidden between waterfront mansions in this upper class suburb.
One of the unique experiences we had at Howell Park was seeing an impromptu yoga session start up, led by a friendly local. The calm waters of the lake formed the perfect backdrop for some mindful stretching. We also noticed some playful beach volleyball games going on, contributing to the beach's cheerful atmosphere. But hey, if all you want to do is sprawl on the grass and relax, you can definitely do that too!
While nearby Denny Blaine Beach has a sunny beach area, this is a little lacking at Howell Park due to the tall trees. In the afternoon the grass area is mostly shaded and while we were there it got a little chilly. So, if you're looking to catch some rays, early morning or late afternoon might not be the best times here.
There are no bathroom facilities or food and drink vendors on-site. But a quick dash down the road to Denny Blaine will lead you to several Porta Potties. Most people came prepared with packed lunches and we spotted some pretty epic picnic setups. It seemed to us like most folks preferred to hang out naked on the grass at Howell Park, while the popular choice at Denny Blaine was swimming and tanning. That could be due to the lack of shade there, and the need to cool down, though!
All in all, we had an absolute blast at Howell Park and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It's so tucked away and private, definitely more so than Denny Blaine. You're not gonna get any gawkers here because anyone curious would have to wade through a sea of naked people just to sneak a peek. From the street, it doesn't even look like anything's happening in the park.
A visit to Howell Park offers a truly authentic and accepting Pacific Northwest nude beach experience. And, as a bonus, you can also take a glimpse at Kurt Cobain’s house. The bench where the Nirvana front man used to sit is just up from the beach and serves as an informal shrine to his memory.
Map
Getting There
Howell Park is easily reachable from nearby downtown Seattle or Bellevue in about 15mins by car. Beware that the trail to the park and beach is not ADA accessible.
Car: There are no dedicated parking spots here but you should find space nearby. There are normally spots on 39th Ave which is further up the hill and a 5 minute walk from the beach.
Public Transport: King County Metro transit system will get you to the park. Take bus numbers 11 or 84 to get close enough. You would get off the bus at Madison St & 37th Ave bus stop, from there the beach is a short 5 to 10 minute walk away.
Recommended Accommodation
Lake Bronson Club is an hour drive away in good traffic and is a family friendly nudist park.
Unfortunately there are no nearby clothing optional accommodations, however Seattle has plenty of hotels to suit all budgets.
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