Madrona Park | Wild Camping

October 10th, 2023 by sageindigomusic

Previously stayed in the parking lot two nights, no issues. Other car dwellers were nearby. Security came and closed the gates but didn’t bother anyone. Tried staying in the lot again tonight, rude security guy kicked everyone out at 10:00pm. Not sure if it just depends on who is working or if they’re cracking down on overnight parking now. I’ll be avoiding the lot from now on.

The street parking to the south of the park is okay, but there is traffic until late in the evening and very bright street lights. I moved to the street parking north of the park. Found it quieter and more peaceful. Beautiful view, felt safe, slept well.

August 10th, 2023 by becca.gomez31

Really liked this spot, came here after leaving Madrona park because someone was hanging around the lot claiming to be a “former van lifer” and bothering mostly solo female travelers. Got bad vibes after I noticed he didn’t have any plates on his gold 4dr truck and kept circling the lot looking inside parked Vans/RVs. Be careful if you stay there, this side street and further up is much quieter and safer. Runners pass by early in morning but no issues.

July 20th, 2023 by Wildwassermenne

When you find a place, it is in night a calm spot.

July 13th, 2023 by CharCharblinks

My stay was good. I didn't have any problems. It was my first night sleeping in my car and it felt safe. It is very bright down there and the traffic can be pretty noisy, though. Also, getting there is a bit out of the way. Overall though, a good place to stay.

May 20th, 2023 by getoutsidebr

Very nice view. Stayed 2 nights and had no problems.

May 10th, 2023 by jtaylorxc

Like everyone else said it’s just street side parking. There was a lot of room, no one bothered.
And there was definitely traffic in the morning but it didn’t really bother me

December 7th, 2022 by kalliesmission.com

An amazing place to park for the night and spectacular views when you wake up! very safe area. bathrooms and a park. plus a nice dog walking place. close to public transit! a bit of road noise but really didn't bother us.

October 24th, 2022 by Dan & Geraldine

A local recommended this place to us before we saw it on iOverlander.
Great spot with lovely lake view & not much traffic during the night.

October 9th, 2022 by rustyshacklefordgroot

as described. good place to sleep. lots of traffic, but no disturbances

September 30th, 2022 by kileykozloski

We were able to find a spot with other vans around 8 pm. It wasn’t too loud, the cars do go by fast though so it’s a little scary at first. In the morning I walked along the water and ran into a local who asked about the vans parking on the street. She mentioned that they love seeing the vans but ask people make sure to clean up after themselves. She goes down there often with her dog and has to clean up a lot of trash. Remember to be respectful ✌🏼

September 7th, 2022 by natjramos7

Water front pulled in around 8pm and has at least 1 spot open. The bathrooms appear open into the night past 8:30 and early morning 7am. They’re past the bus stops. Plenty of people in the morning walking. A park maintenance guy even pulled up to my window to park but they’re just working on a nearby pipe and didn’t say anything. Good att bars was able to make a zoom call.

September 2nd, 2022 by dieselbeast.the.bus

Great scenic place to park and sleep while exploring Seattle. We stayed here for 2 nights in our 25ft skoolie. As per Seattle bylaws, you can stay here for 72 hours before you have to move. Quiet enough at night and no one seemed to mind us staying. Lots of vans parked nearby and friendly neighbors. Also, this spot is only about a block away from the #2 bus stop at Madrona Park, which takes you all the way to downtown. Minor side note, some of the main roads in the Madrona neighborhood are incredibly steep and there are spots where vehicles 25+ feet might scrape. Drive carefully!

August 26th, 2022 by lara.sirman

Great place to stay overnight. We felt really safe here, stayed with some other vans for the night. Definitely recommend that place when visiting Seattle.

August 23rd, 2022 by Lauriepipie

We camped 2 van by the side of the road, by the water and it was perfect.
There was traffic but nothing too loud since it quiets down later in the night.
Great sunrise in bonus !

August 6th, 2022 by rachelsoble

Perfect for our RV for one night! We have a 27ft class A motor home and we were able to park in the pullout for street parking overnight with no problems. Good service for Verizon and beautiful views of Lake Washington, Rainier and Bellevue.

July 31st, 2022 by LiberatingLeash

Pinned for a little outcove parking area that has woods right next to it. If you have a van, you may not like it bc you're not opening the door to the view, rather you're right up on the bushes. I parked here in my SUV and my right side is the side I sleep on, so in the event of needing to get out in the middle of the night, I preferred the seclusion. However, it didn't turn out as planned too close to the bushes and trash. I also didn't need to get out. :-)
Essentially, this is another spot along the strip of Madrona park. it's less crowded and noisy than the main area where the southern pin is at.
I'd say there is a fair amount of traffic that passes through here. I heard cars until I fell asleep between 10:30p-11p. Occasionally, I heard them throughout the night. There is a bathroom in walking distance. watch out for the spiders and their webs at the overhang.
Further down at the main "beach," inside the bathrooms they have open showers for people to rinse off. You could shower there with a suit on. Also, that area has a life guard on duty from 11-7 on the weekends and I believe 12-6/7 during the week. There are two floating docks and people paddleboard and kayak out on the lake also. You also have a view of Mt. Rainier.
SIDE NOTE: people are disgusting. there was a full trash bag and toilet paper in the bush there. gross. clean up after yourself!

July 26th, 2022 by lesgalvins

arrived late at night, right on the lakeside. very pretty. no issues. cars and joggers in the morning but didn't bother us.

July 16th, 2022 by antoonkusters

good flat spot for a 19 feet 6m Van. nice neigberhood.

July 4th, 2022 by kamiller

Parked in parking lot until after fireworks that never ended. Moved up to the street. No peace. Loud party, more fireworks. Drove down farther on Lake Washington Blvd and parked. Finally got to sleep late to be woken by cars zooming by and loud joggers at 5:30. Ugh. never again. It was the 4th of July, but still joggers and traffic.

May 21st, 2022 by lacymckinley2013

Great place to stay for up to 72 hours, beautiful lake front views. Lots of people walking their dogs throughout the day. This is an “off-street” parking area, not an actual parking lot (parking lot is closed at night). The traffic noise is a little annoying, and their are garbage trucks that collect on this street (I think on Thursdays). Just a short walk to public transportation, we caught a bus and road to pike place market for just a few dollars (brought the dogs with us too). We didn’t feel like driving our converted van down to that area so it all worked out really well. There was a skoolie and another van there the whole time we were there, so pretty common camping place. Would def stay here again.

April 1st, 2022 by ty

Spent 4 nights here while in Seattle. Beautiful view. Passing cars in the evening and runners in the morning. No one bothers you.

March 18th, 2022 by 321dani

No no-parking signs, lovely view, no hassles. public bathrooms a 5 min walk away, but they close at dusk. We had a great sleep here.

November 10th, 2021 by oje.a1984

did not stay but scoped out out.

awesome place, great view of Lake.

no 'no parking' signs

would be nice for a night out two

October 10th, 2021 by bjohnson39

Stayed for 1 night. Beautiful spot right on the water. A lot of people run on the trail right beside in the morning

August 26th, 2021 by ourhomeonthemove

Great spot overlooking the water quiet for a night or two! We loved it here the park is also great during the end of summer heat!

July 16th, 2021 by alecfarrant

Great view of the water. Good for one night. Cars drive by very close. Can have a fair bit of trash on the sidewalk and smells heavily of urine in some spots. Sadly had to call the police to check on a young man who seemed to be high on drugs and going a little crazy at the bus stop ~100yds down the road.

July 7th, 2021 by Aud

On the lake, free, no amenities, just on the road. We were 3 parked here. Safe. Good.

March 31st, 2021 by cole.s.mccullough

perfect spot, quiet for a city spot. No one bothered us. Close green space and good food, check out the Cafe Soleil

October 28th, 2020 by instagram.com/lenomadevan

Beautiful street parking on the lake. A couple other vans were here. Kinda loud from traffic but didn’t bother me.

September 1st, 2020 by createyourownroadshow.com

Safe place with a nice view, no one bothered us. Very noisy though even on a Monday night. If you're lucky Mt. Ranier makes an appearance across the lake.

November 2nd, 2019 by geschke.lauren

Cars are a bit noisy in the morning but a nice safe spot not too far from the city, beautiful views of the lake and a gorgeous walk/run along it. There’s a public toilet a few minutes walk down the road although when I went at 8am it was locked! I had to walk about 10 mins down the road to a Starbucks. There’s a car park further south that’s only open certain hours, we parked there in the morning to have a bit more room for breakfast etc in our van over looking the water.

September 4th, 2019 by jcher73

simple street-side parking. people running and walking by during the day. very safe area. bathrooms were just a short walk but are closed at night

January 14th, 2019 by val0155

very quiet at night. but from 6am its like a highway just beside the car. maybe more quiet the weekend. we were there on a sunday night. but really good view

October 13th, 2018 by zed

Beautiful view of Lake Washington. Off street parking. Public restroom available during daylight hours nearby. I've parked hear three separate nights, there's always at least one other #vanlife person out there.