Lake Washington Ship Canal
RV Guide
Introduction
Lake Washington Ship Canal joins Lake Washington to Puget Sound in the city of Seattle. It was built between 1911 and 1934. It can be found near Salmon Bay in Washington. Funds were obtained for the canal in the early 1900s by the Army Corps of Engineers. Upon its completion, the water level in Lake Washington dropped by nine feet. On the opposite end of things, the water level in Salmon Bay actually rose quite a bit.
Lake Washington Ship Canal offers a variety of things to do for the whole family, including learning more about the history of the canal. One of the more popular attractions is the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. These locks attract people from all around the world. Adults and children alike love strolling through the botanical gardens, watching fish near the fish ladder, taking in the view of the spillway dam, learning about the area at the regional visitor center, and more. There is even a gift shop on site where you can get treasures to remember your trip by.
RV Rentals in Lake Washington Ship Canal
Transportation
Driving
Getting to Lake Washington Ship Canal couldn't be easier. There are multiple ways to get there from Seattle. The closest neighborhoods are North Queen Anne to the south of the canal and West Woodland to the north. It is located in north Seattle between Fremont and Ballard. All surrounding roads are paved and can be easily accessed with any type of vehicle, including RVs.
There are parking lots in several spots along the canal. Depending on where you're coming from, you may need to take Aurora Bridge or Ballard Bridge to view the ship canal. Since it's north enough of downtown Seattle, you shouldn't have to worry too much about traffic, which is always a plus!
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Lake Washington Ship Canal
Campsites in Lake Washington Ship Canal
Reservations camping
Seattle/Tacoma KOA
Right near downtown Seattle is the Seattle-Tacoma KOA campgrounds. This campground has a hot breakfast served each morning. There are plenty of things to do at the campground including swimming in the heated pool, bird watching, hiking, fishing, playing board games, and more. They offer up-to-date facilities including electric, water, and sewer hookups for RVs.
There is Wi-Fi available for campers as well and you are more than welcome to run a generator for your RV. The hiking trails are paved and they offer cabins, RV camping, tent camping, and more. It is close enough to easily take public transportation to get to Lake Washington Ship Canal and all other Seattle tourist attractions. The Seattle-Tacoma KOA accepts reservations as well as walk-in campers.
Seasonal activities in Lake Washington Ship Canal
In-Season
Picnicking
There are several parks nearby where you can enjoy a relaxing picnic. A few of the more popular parks are Green Lake Park, Discovery Park, and Gas Works Park. All of these parks are close to the Lake Washington Ship Canal. They each have picnic tables, grills, and picnic shelters available to the public. This is a nice way to relax and enjoy a delicious meal in the great outdoors.
If you're planning on enjoying your meal at one of the parks listed above, there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby to pick up your food, if you haven't packed any for your trip. Depending on where you're camping, there are likely picnic areas at your campsite.
Kayaking
A more unique way to see the area is on a kayak. You'll be able to kayak through the canal, which is a total of 13 ½ miles round trip. You will start out at the Washington Park Arboretum and end at Shilshole Bay.
You're able to rent a kayak if needed, but you can also bring your own. It's important to note that you will be sharing the water with motorized watercraft as well.
If you're not a local, this is activity is a great way to get a view of Seattle that you may not be able to see from any other area of the city. You'll be able to kayak past houseboats, giant ships, fishing boats, and more. This is an excellent activity for almost anyone, and it can be done in almost any type of weather.
Fishing
There are several different types of fish to catch in Lake Washington, the canal, and surrounding bodies of water. Avid anglers may be able to catch bull, steelhead, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. There is also sockeye salmon, coho, and chinook in the water as well. You can fly fish from land or take a watercraft out onto the lake. You should make sure you have a fishing license which can be purchased online.
Off-Season
Wildlife Viewing
There is a ton of different wildlife to view at the Lake Washington Ship Canal, including a fish ladder. This is essentially an underground window that gives visitors a view of migrating fish such as salmon and trout. You'll be able to watch fish swim through the water as they head to the river.
In addition to the fish ladder, you can see a variety of different animals around the area. This can include birds such as owls, golden eagles, and more. You may even spot mammals such as deer or fox, depending on the time of the year. It's a good idea to bring a pair of binoculars on your trip to Lake Washington Ship Canal.
Hiking
There are plenty of trails around the Lake Washington Ship Canal. There are gravel and paved trails. If you're looking for something a little more scenic, consider taking a stroll along Fremont Canal Park. This is a linear paved trail right on the water that gives you beautiful views of nature as well as the city. If you're looking for a more intense hike, consider visiting the nearby Discovery Park. There you will find over 500 acres of wilderness to explore.
Historical Center
There are also tours available year-round that will show you the ins and outs of this historic site. Lake Washington Ship Canal has a visitor center that can teach you a bit about the history of the area. There are brochures available, exhibits to view, and even a video to watch. This is a great place to bring the kids to teach them something new about this area in western Washington.
