Ravenna Park is a Seattle city park with a wooded ravine and trails just north of the University District. It’s a place to walk among trees and connect your visit with picnic areas, sports courts or other park amenities.
- Setting: A half-mile wooded ravine connecting two picnic areas.
- Combined park walk: Cowen and Ravenna Parks have 4.5 miles of trails across a 0.75-mile ravine stretch.
- Hours: Open daily
- Entry: No entry fee or parking pass is required for the combined parks hike.
What are Ravenna Park’s setting and trails like?
Seattle Parks describes Ravenna Park as a half-mile wooded ravine connecting two picnic areas just north of the University District. It is a green corridor within the city. The University of Washington visitor guide covers the campus nearby.
For a longer walk, the Washington Trails Association describes Cowen and Ravenna Parks together as a network of 4.5 miles of trails across a 0.75-mile stretch of ravine. Its suggested combined parks walk covers 4.5 miles round trip, with 115 feet of elevation gain and a highest point of 200 feet.
The combined trails use asphalt and gravel. Dogs are allowed on leash. If you’re comparing other Seattle park trails and facilities, Northacres Park offers a separate outing in the city.
How should you plan a walk in the park?
Allow for a 4.5-mile round trip if you plan to follow the combined Cowen and Ravenna Parks walk. The route has 115 feet of elevation gain and reaches a highest point of 200 feet.
Amenities include trails, picnic sites, grills, drinking fountains, basketball courts, a play area, tennis courts, a wading pool, soccer fields and baseball and softball fields. Picnic areas can be reserved, so check availability if a reserved picnic spot is part of your plans.
Ravenna Park’s hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Before setting out, check the official site before you go, especially for current park hours and picnic arrangements.
Where are the entrances, and what park rules apply?
Ravenna Park has access points along several streets, while a parking-lot entrance is at the corner of NE 58th Street and 20th Avenue NE. Access points for the combined Cowen and Ravenna Parks area are along Brooklyn Avenue NE, Ravenna Avenue NE, NE 62nd Street, NE 58th Street and NE 55th Street.
For a drive from I-5 northbound, take the NE 65th Street exit, then follow Ravenna Boulevard and 20th Avenue NE. There is daytime street parking and no parking pass or entry fee for the combined parks hike.
Camping is not allowed in city parks, and alcohol, cannabis and illegal drugs are prohibited. Motorized vehicles are generally not allowed on park trails and paths; listed exceptions include motorized wheelchairs.
How do you get to Ravenna Park?
From Crown Inn, Ravenna Park is about 2.3 miles away, with a drive time of 8 minutes; browse the Crown Inn rooms in Seattle. King County Metro routes 71 and 372 serve the combined parks trailhead.
FAQs
How long is the walk at Ravenna Park?
The combined Cowen and Ravenna Parks walk is 4.5 miles round trip, with 115 feet of elevation gain and a highest point of 200 feet.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Yes. Dogs are allowed on leash on the combined Cowen and Ravenna Parks trails.
Is there an entry fee or parking pass?
There is no entry fee or parking pass for the combined parks hike. Daytime street parking is available.
What amenities does Ravenna Park have?
Amenities include picnic sites, grills, drinking fountains, courts, fields, a play area and a wading pool.