Top 7 Trails in Seattle Southside

Last Updated: January 11, 2026

Some of the best trails in Seattle are in Seattle Southside!

You'll find plenty of opportunities to become one with nature or get some exercise weaving through urban landscapes. Here are a few of our picks for the top trails in Seattle Southside.

Des Moines Creek Trail

Interurban Trail

Saltwater State Park

Fort Dent Park

Duwamish-Green River Trail

Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden

North SeaTac Park

DES MOINES CREEK TRAIL

Arguably the most beautiful walking route in Seattle Southside, the Des Moines Creek Trail runs for approximately 3 miles downhill from a trailhead near the Angle Lake Light Rail Station to the Puget Sound waterfront. If you start near the Light Rail station, you'll have the advantage of ending up at the beach. However, you can just as easily start at Des Moines Beach Park, where there's a parking lot and other amenities. From there, you'd follow the paved path past an old red building (the Des Moines Beach Park Event Center) and into the woods. Many people walk about a half-mile into the trail before turning around. You'll walk along a babbling creek, where you can sometimes spot spawning salmon, and listen to the rustle of the leaves. The trail is especially beautiful in the fall and spring, but visitors love it any time of year.

INTERURBAN TRAIL

Stretching 14 miles through Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Algona, and Pacific, the paved Interurban Trail offers a scenic and calorie-burning adventure through the heart of the Green River Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass a diverse mix of industrial landscapes, suburban neighborhoods, and remnants of the historic Interurban Rail Line. With plenty of access points throughout the route, it’s easy to enjoy the trail at your own pace—no need to tackle all 14 miles in one go. But if you're up for it, you can turn your ride into a long continuous loop. Read our Guide to Cycling the Interurban-Green River Trail Loop to learn how.

SALTWATER STATE PARK

As one of the only state parks in King County, Saltwater State Park is well worth the price of a one-day or annual Discover Pass (which is required to park at state parks). This 137-acre park features 1,445 feet of beachwood-strewn shoreline along Puget Sound, grills for BBQing, and plenty of walking trails. If you don’t want to pay to visit, there are about a dozen Discover Park Free Days throughout the year.

FORT DENT PARK

Covering 54 acres, Fort Dent Park is the largest park in Tukwila. The park features classic amenities, along with walking trails that wind past wetlands, open green spaces, and soccer fields, making it an ideal spot for both recreation and relaxation. The Fort Dent Bridge is a popular family-friendly attraction and a great spot for taking photos.

The park is also located next to Starfire Sports, a major hub for youth sports and the home of our local rugby team, the Seattle Seawolves.

DUWAMISH-GREEN RIVER TRAIL

The Green River Trail is 19 miles long and starts at the Cecil Moses Park in Tukwila, winding all the way down to the North Green River Park in south Kent. The trail winds through the Duwamish Waterway in Tukwila and guides commuters down to the Green River Valley. There are excellent views of the Green River itself, but also large landscapes of industrial areas and smaller parks. The trail intersects the northern end of the Interurban Trail at Foster Park. With the scenic landscapes, parks, and river views, this trail is perfect for a stroll on a beautiful day.

HIGHLINE SEATAC BOTANICAL GARDEN

Established in late 1999, many of the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden’s plants were salvaged from land bought as part of the expansion of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and have been in the community for decades. Home to a serene Japanese pond-and-mountain style garden and several species-specific gardens, the sprawling property offers plenty of space for exploration.

NORTH SEATAC PARK

Located minutes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), North SeaTac Park offers an abundance of recreational opportunities, including paved walking paths, mountain biking trails, and a professionally designed BMX track. The track, operated by SeaTac BMX, features jumps, tight turns, and regular race events for both beginners and seasoned riders. The track is free and open to the public except on race days, and hosts clinics and camps throughout the year. (Learn more).

In addition, the park features a radio-controlled (RC) car racing course, an 18-hole disc golf course, and pickleball courts. It's also right next to the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, which is free and open to the public.