US lakes & pondsUS lakes & pondsSurface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID {065BCF33-33B5-4BB8-952E-19D21B378641}).
The red circle marks Lake Union.
Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (Washington: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).
Official WDFW pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.
Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.
Stocked by the state: Coho salmon (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026; 552 fish in all, fry included)
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, WDFW Fish Plants data on data.wa.gov (releases into Lake Union, King County, since 2015). See WDFW trout stocking reports. These are stocking records, not a full fish survey; other species also live here.
Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.
Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID {065BCF33-33B5-4BB8-952E-19D21B378641}), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: WDFW water access sites and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL). Dashed trails: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.
OpenStreetMap shows about 11.6 mi of public hiking and walking trail within about 100 m (330 ft) of the Lake Union shoreline, mostly along the north, east, south and west shores. They follow about 85% of the shore, so you can walk most of the way around but not a full loop.
No trailhead is mapped for these trails. The closest public access site is Waterway 23 Boat Launch, right on a shoreline trail (WDFW water access site data).
The dashed brown line on the lake map shows these trails. We include paths, footways and marked trails that OpenStreetMap doesn't mark as private, and leave out roads, sidewalks and snowmobile corridors. Mapped trails can still cross private land or close for the season, and not every trail is mapped, so follow posted signs.
Trails: © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL). Map data as of Oct 9, 2026. Trail lengths count only the parts within about 100 m of the USGS NHD lake outline.
We found 18 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Lake Union. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.
Tent sites · Showers · Toilets · Drinking water
Electric hookups · RVs welcome · Tent sites · Cabins or yurts
Tent sites · Showers · Toilets · Campfires allowed
Electric hookups · RVs welcome · Dump station · Wi-Fi
Tent sites · Toilets · Campfires allowed
Tent sites · Showers · Toilets
All campgrounds & RV parks in Washington
Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.
Campground data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.
Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (47.6403, -122.3356). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Lake Union. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.
Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in PT (America/Los_Angeles), and accurate to within a few minutes.
8 public access sites listed, 8 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.
| Site | Town | Owner | Type | Parking | Fee | Uses | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat ramp | Seattle | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 47.6467, -122.3268 |
| Boat ramp | Seattle | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 47.6456, -122.3273 |
| Boat ramp | Seattle | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 47.6525, -122.3172 |
| Boat ramp | Seattle | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 47.6423, -122.3107 |
| Sunnyside Avenue North Boat Ramp | Seattle | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 47.6502, -122.3307 |
| Waterway 15 Path | Seattle | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 47.6535, -122.3246 |
| Waterway 19 Canoe/Kayak Launch | Seattle | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 47.6468, -122.3330 |
| Waterway 23 Boat Launch | Seattle | — | Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp | — | No fee | Boating | 47.6485, -122.3467 |
WDFW water access sites and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL)
Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.
On OpenStreetMap: 1 beach or swimming spot on the shore of Lake Union not marked private, residents-only or members-only.
| Beach | Type | Access | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Union Park Kayak Launch and Beach | Beach | Access not tagged; check posted rules | Get directions |
Beaches: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), within about 150 m (500 ft) of the lake outline. A mapped beach is not a guarantee that swimming is allowed, supervised or safe; some town beaches need a resident sticker even when the map doesn't say so. Check posted rules and water-quality advisories before you swim.
Reported on or near Lake Union
USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database
USGS records matched to this water by location (within about 150 m of the outline) or by the place name in the record. A record shows a sighting was reported; it doesn't prove the species is still there. As of Oct 10, 2026.
Lake Union covers about 756 acres in Seattle, Washington (King County).
WDFW fish stocking records lists Coho salmon.
Yes. 8 public trailer launches are listed: Boat ramp, Boat ramp and Sunnyside Avenue North Boat Ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.
OpenStreetMap shows 1 public beach or swimming spot on the shore. None of our sources lists a lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and follow posted rules.
Yes. We list 18 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles.
Lake Union touches Seattle in King County, Washington.
Know Lake Union? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).
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