Public Kayak/SUP Launches on Lake Union
The best spots to launch your kayak or SUP on Lake Union
Finding a good place to launch your kayak or SUP on Lake Union can be challenging. A good location should have parking, be relatively close to the water (long carries to and from the water are a pain), and have either a nice beach or low dock so getting onto your craft is a breeze.
Why you shouldn't Launch at Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park might seem like a great place to get out on Lake Union but there's a couple of problems. First--the no launching and landing signs expressly prohibit it. Due to contaminated ground, the parks department doesn't want people stirring up the soil/sand and gravel. Second-it's a long carry to the water from the parking lot. Third- there are better, less crowded options.
Fairview Ave Park Hand Carry Boat Launch
Fairview Ave Park Hand Carry Boat Launch
Dock and park as seen from the water kayak launching from the dock Sign showing public launch
Parking is somewhat hard to come by as there are very few spots close to the ramp. On the plus side, the dock is super close to the water and is very low so getting in and out of kayaks is easy. Just like most of the docks on this list, you have to navigate around some goose poop most days.
Waterway 8 on Fairview Ave
Waterway 8 by Fred Hutch from the water Pulic Access Marker Sign and Kayak Dock Parking Sign Nice low dock for launching kayaks or SUPs
Tucked out of the way off Fairview Ave this public dock is only a short distance from paid parking and is designed for small craft to launch from. No getting your feet wet launching from a rocky beach! You may have to dodge some folks fishing in the morning or evening, but otherwise this dock is seldom used.
Goose Beach on Westlake Ave N
Goose Beach at South Lake Union from the water Caution Sea Planes No Swimming Sign Kayak on the Dock at Goose Beach
Directly south of Kenmore Air, this beach and dock are probably the most popular public launch on the lake. Paid parking in the parking lot can be tough to find on beautiful days (especially weekends/holidays), and it can feel crowded with other folks. Depending on time of day you may have to dodge some sea planes taxiing to and from their docks. The carry to and from the parking lot is short and the dock is a good height for climbing into a kayak.
East Louisa Street End Park
East Loisa Steet End Park as seen from the water Kayak Parked on the beach along with some lawn chairs for hanging out Sign noting public acess Pétanque court rules Parking at Louisa St End
Popular with folks walking their dogs or those wanting to try Pétanque the East Louisa Street End is a nice gravel beach with parking close by. The carry to the water from the street is easy, and there's no goose poop problem like with some of the docks.
Other Options That Didn't Make The Official List
Fisherman's Terminal (in between dock 8 and 9 on West Thurman). This dock isn't on Lake Union and can be a little high when the water is low during peak summer months. You might also have to dodge some larger power boats to find space on busy weekends. Parking is usually easy to find and the carry to and from the water is short.
Waterway 18 and the Sunnyside Ave Boat Ramp. Neither of these locations are as convenient as the spots that made the list. Both are short carries to the water and parking should be readily available on Northlake Way. Waterway 18 has some logs along the shore that can make getting a kayak or SUP to the water tricky. The Sunnyside Ave boat ramp is designed for power boats--you can launch a kayak or SUP there but the dock is high or you will be launching from concrete which can damage your craft if you're not careful.
Terry Petus Park. This would make the list but is currently closed for renovations. Should be an awesome launch once it re-opens, currently planned for 2027.
Fritz Hedges Waterway Park on Portage Bay. Located South of the University of Washington this park opened in 2020 and is great place to get on the water. The carry from the street is short and the beach is easy to launch from. There's limited paid street parking, and several paid lots within about a block of the park.
This is a great spot to launch from if you want to explore the arboretum or Lake Washington.
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