Days
<1
Motors Allowed?
Yes
Difficulty
Easy / Class A
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The trip from Golden Gardens Park to Carkeek Park is a beautiful trip along the coast of Puget Sound that can easily be done in a couple of hours in the afternoon. Once you pass the wooden pilings near the put-in, head north along the coast. Depending on the water conditions, you can choose to paddle closer to the shore for more protection or strike out into more open waters before rounding Meadow Point. Many days you will see fly fisherman trying their luck for salmon or sea-run cutthroat in the mornings and late afternoons. The Puget Sound is a great place to see wildlife, including bald eagles, seals, sea lions, and even orcas. Once you near Carkeek Park, there are several beaches that offer a great place for a picnic, a rest in the sun, or a quick break before heading back with a view of the Olympic Mountains.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Great views. Easy access.

Cons

Can be crowded. Boat traffic.

Water Temperature

32.00 °F (0.00 °C)

Features

Fishing
Picnic tables
Whale watching
Wildlife
Bird watching

Typically multi-day

No

Shuttle required

No

Site characteristics: Water

Sound/Strait

Portage required

No

Location

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.