Carkeek Park (Seattle)
- Freeride, Big air
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Shallow, Chop, Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Carkeek Park is a north-oriented Puget Sound kitesurfing and foiling spot with shallow, clean water that transitions from flatter conditions to chop. The beach area is tidal, so usable water depth and available launch space can change a lot between tide levels. Wind is primarily northerly (reported best from N, with additional mention of NNW) and is described as frontal-driven. Typical wind strength is commonly reported around 15-25 knots, with moderate gusts. Reliability is strongest during winter storm cycles, while summer wind is often rarer and lighter. Launch access is the defining logistical factor: getting to the beach requires walking across a pedestrian bridge over active railroad tracks, then managing gear in a narrow sandy area with driftwood and scattered hazards. Because trains and nearby power lines are immediate concerns, riders must keep kites low near the bridge and avoid flying kites over the tracks/power lines. Water temperatures stay cold (roughly 10-18°C reported by one source, with additional month-by-month ranges showing winter cold and summer warming). Plan for cold-water gear and check tide charts—at extreme high tides the beach can become very limited.
- Shallow, clean Puget Sound water with tidal beach access
- N to NNW northerly wind pattern with moderate gusts
- Strong seasonal cold-water riding: plan wetsuit year-round
- Unique access over a pedestrian bridge beside active railroad tracks
- Strong north-northerly wind opportunities and choppy but manageable shallow water for kitesurfing
- Tidal beach provides flexible access points depending on conditions
- Local community interest for northerly wind days (including wingfoiling)
- Cold water year-round and significant temperature variability with season and tide
- Tidal beach access can make launch space change dramatically
- Access requires crossing a pedestrian bridge over active railroad tracks (kite management and pedestrian safety are critical)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- No-go directions
- S, SSW, SW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Northerly flow dominated by frontal/gradient-driven winds; sources also describe it as northerly/NNW with a frontal pattern.
- Reliability
- Reliable during winter storm cycles; summer wind is rare and typically light.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported for this spot.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Shallow, Chop, Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Narrow sandy beach scattered with driftwood.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Reported small wave/shallow conditions; water can be flat-to-chop depending on conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is commonly mentioned in water condition descriptions.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach with driftwood; access is via pedestrian bridge and stairs over the railroad tracks.
Through the year
Quiet for sports in winter; very crowded with families and beachgoers in summer.
October through April.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, flat-to-chop water with tidal access. Best wind direction is from the north; riders must be competent at staying upwind and managing kites near the bridge/rail tracks.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible but less common due to the long walk from parking with heavy gear over the pedestrian bridge.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Increasingly popular for its clean northerly wind; tidal conditions mean foilers should watch depth at low tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- Approximately 1 meter beyond the immediate shoreline at mid-tide.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Carkeek Park (Seattle) in the full forecast view.
Carkeek Park (Seattle) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- SSE168°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2810 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.0–0.5 m2s period
- Temperature
- 7–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Carkeek Park (Seattle) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.0–0.5 m with a period of about 2s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Active railroad tracks
- Power lines near tracks
- Large driftwood logs on beach
- Barnacles on rocks
- Cold water temperatures
- Driftwood and rocks near the launch area
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources report no rescue presence at the beach.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for Seattle Fire/Police. Harborview Medical Center is the nearest major trauma center.
Rules of the spot
Keep kites low when near the pedestrian bridge and never fly kites over the railroad tracks or power lines. Check tide charts; the beach can drastically change with tides. Keep clear of pedestrians on the bridge and beach.
- No kiting in designated swimming areas
- Stay clear of pedestrians on the bridge and beach
- Check the tide charts; the beach can almost disappear at extreme high tides.
- Plan for a 5-10 minute walk from parking with gear due to the pedestrian bridge access.
- Riders need to be competent at staying upwind and keeping kites clear of the train tracks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Seattle
- Nearest Town
- Seattle
- Nearest Airport
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Parking
- Park open 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. with parking gates open 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.; weekend parking can fill up. One source notes uncertain COVID-era closure status as of 2026.
- Public Transport
- King County Metro bus routes and Sound Transit access (Sounder near nearby stations such as Edmonds or Northgate).
- Access
- Short walk from parking via a pedestrian bridge with stairs over active railroad tracks; follow NW 110th Street into NW Carkeek Park Road.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and rentals are available in North Seattle and the Ballard neighborhood.
- Food & Drink
- No food vendors inside the park; many options nearby on Greenwood Avenue or in Ballard.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site.
- Gear Storage
- None available on-site.
- Gear Repair
- No on-site repair is reported; local shops in Seattle offer repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Carkeek Park (Seattle)?
The best overall months at Carkeek Park (Seattle) are November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Carkeek Park (Seattle)?
Carkeek Park (Seattle) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N. No-go directions are S, SSW, SW, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Carkeek Park (Seattle)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Carkeek Park (Seattle): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Carkeek Park (Seattle) suitable for?
Carkeek Park (Seattle) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.