Union Bay Natural Area

The Union Bay Natural Area features a network of interlocking trails through large trees and tall grass. The trails are wide and hard-packed gravel making for a nice roll in Lucas’s wheelchair. The day we walked around Union Bay the clouds were spectacular and the sounds of birds could be heard all around (someone even pointed out a hawk’s nest to us!) Indeed, this is a popular spot for Seattle birders. One of trail spurs stretches all the way to Lake Washington.

Key stats:

Distance: a few miles of trails

Wheelchair accessible parking? Yes (various spots in the UW Center for Urban Horticulture parking lot)

Wheelchair accessible bathrooms? Unknown

Trail condition? Well maintained, hard-packed gravel

Highlights? Long, wide trails, and often feels more remote than it actually is. Also, there’s some fascinating history of the site, which was formerly known as the “Montlake Dump” and served as a landfill site for decades, with up to 60% of Seattle’s garbage ending up there until it was closed in the 1960s.

More information about Union Bay Natural Area here.