Location
United States
Status
Officially Designated
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Grass / lawn
Best season
June to September
About Denny Blaine Beach
Denny Blaine Park is a small, roughly two-acre park on the western shore of Lake Washington in Seattle's Denny-Blaine neighbourhood, surrounded by some of the city's most expensive homes. It is Seattle's best-known nude beach and has been a gathering place for nonsexual nudity for decades. The 'beach' is a grassy lawn rather than sand, sloping down to an old stone wall that marked the lakeshore before the Lake Washington Ship Canal lowered the lake by about nine feet in 1917; people sunbathe on the grass and swim off the wall into fresh water. There is no lifeguard. Since 2025 the park has been formally split: a fenced lower area by the water is signed clothing-optional, while the area west of the fence, by the entrance, is clothing-required. The park is also an important space for Seattle's queer, transgender and gender-diverse community, which the City Council recognised by resolution. A volunteer group, Friends of Denny Blaine, publishes behaviour guidelines and asks visitors to keep it 'nude, not lewd'. Expect a busy, social crowd on warm summer afternoons and a quieter scene early in the day.
Getting there
The park is on Lake Washington Boulevard East, at the foot of the hill below the Denny-Blaine and Madison Park neighbourhoods. There is only a small parking area and limited street parking on narrow residential streets; neighbours have complained about illegal parking, so park legally or come by bike or bus. King County Metro buses run along nearby arterials (check current routes). From the entrance, steps and a path lead down through trees and foliage to the lawn; access is not step-free. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What visitors say
Regulars describe a friendly, self-policing community of nudists, sunbathers and LGBTQ visitors, and stress that the culture is about relaxed nonsexual nudity. Neighbours and some visitors report problems, mainly after dark, including lewd behaviour, drug use and illegal parking; the city said police calls fell 39% after the 2025 abatement plan. The fencing and zoning get mixed reviews. Supporters say it works and park users have complained of harassment and surveillance from neighbours, while the neighbours' group says it has not fixed the problems. Visitors advise going in daytime, respecting the clothing-required zone and following the posted guidelines.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Seattle Parks and Recreation recognises a clothing-optional area in the park and has adopted Supplemental Use Guidelines; nudity is not a crime under Washington or Seattle law unless intended to cause affront or alarm. After neighbours sued in 2025, the city fenced off a clothing-optional lower beach, added signs and ranger patrols; on 15 July 2026 King County Superior Court Judge Samuel Chung issued a permanent injunction finding a lewd-conduct nuisance but refused to close the park, keeping nudity legal on the lower beach and toplessness allowed throughout. The city must adopt a park-specific code of conduct, staff the park and maintain screening vegetation.
Naturism at Denny Blaine Beach sits under United States's rules for officially designated nude beaches — explicit protection inside the marked area.
Full country law: United States public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 47.6165, -122.2830
Visitor tips
- 1 Official designation: nudity is protected inside the marked area.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in United States
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity legal at Denny Blaine Park?
Yes, in the fenced clothing-optional lower beach. A July 2026 court ruling kept nudity legal there and toplessness legal throughout the park.
Where exactly is the clothing-optional area?
The fenced lower area by the water. Signs say clothing is required west of the fence, near the entrance.
Is there parking?
Only a small lot and limited residential street parking. Park legally or come by bike or bus.
Are there toilets or a lifeguard?
The city lists no lifeguard and few amenities. Bring water and anything you need.
When is it open?
Daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sources
- Denny Blaine Park - Seattle Parks and Recreation Official
- Denny Blaine nude beach to stay open, King County judge rules - KUOW
- Seattle judge keeps Denny Blaine nude - Axios Seattle
- Topless turf war at Denny Blaine roils quiet Seattle shoreline - Hoodline
- Denny Blaine Park nude beach to stay open until spring - MyNorthwest
- Seattle makes plan to address nude beach concerns at Denny Blaine Park - FOX 13
- Denny Blaine Park stays open and nude, judge rules - The Stranger
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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