Location
United States
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Pebble
Best season
July to September
About Howell Park
Howell Park is a tiny Seattle Parks beach at the foot of Howell Street in the Madrona neighbourhood, on the west shore of Lake Washington, a short way north of Denny Blaine Park. The land was bought in 1907 and later renamed after the street. It is little more than a steep wooded slope dropping to a small strip of gravel and grass at the water, with swimming straight into the lake; there is no sand to speak of. Because it faces east it loses the sun by mid-afternoon. It has long been used clothing-optional and historically more by gay men than Denny Blaine, which is the more mixed and better-known nude beach next door. The crowd is mostly male, LGBTQ-friendly and small. It sits in a quiet residential area, and visitors are asked to keep things low-key. There are no facilities; the nearest toilets are at the larger beach to the south. Lake Washington is warmest from July to early September.
Getting there
Drive or cycle along Lake Washington Boulevard East and turn onto Howell Place, a very small side street, at the Seattle Parks sign (1740 Howell Pl). There is no park lot; park where legal on Lake Washington Blvd and walk a short distance. A steep path leads down to the water. Not wheelchair accessible.
What visitors say
Visitors describe a small, quiet, mostly male nude spot that is calmer and more private than Denny Blaine. Complaints are about the lack of parking, the gravelly shore, early afternoon shade and no toilets. Guides urge respect for neighbours in the residential street.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Seattle has not designated Howell Park as clothing-optional; Washington law does not prohibit simple non-lewd nudity, but indecent exposure applies if someone is alarmed. In July 2026 a King County judge ruled that nudity remains lawful on the lower beach at neighbouring Denny Blaine Park while ordering the city to curb sexual conduct there; the ruling did not address Howell Park.
Naturism at Howell Park sits under United States's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: United States public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 47.6175, -122.2802
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 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 Howell Park clothing-optional?
It is used that way informally and has been for decades, but it is not officially designated.
How is it different from Denny Blaine?
Howell Park is smaller, steeper and quieter, with a mostly male crowd; Denny Blaine is larger and more mixed.
Where do I park?
There is no lot; use legal street parking on Lake Washington Boulevard.
When does it get sun?
Mornings and midday; the beach faces east and goes into shade by mid-afternoon.
Sources
- Howell Park (Seattle) - Wikipedia
- Clothing-optional nude beaches in and around Seattle - Curiocity
- Howell Park history - Seattle City Archives (Sherwood file) Official
- Howell Park Beaches in Seattle - GayOut
- Howell Park and Beach - Tripadvisor
- Seattle ordered to further curb nuisance nudity at Denny Blaine Park - KOMO (July 2026)
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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