Lake Union Paddling

Lake Union sits in the middle of Seattle — surrounded by the Fremont, Eastlake, and South Lake Union neighborhoods, connected west to Puget Sound via the Ship Canal and Locks, and east to Lake Washington via Portage Bay and the Montlake Cut. Paddling it puts you in the center of everything: seaplanes landing, houseboats drifting past, the downtown skyline behind you.

Launch Points

📍 Get Directions to Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park (north shore): The main SUP launch for Lake Union. Beach entry at the foot of the old gasification plant ruins, with downtown Seattle directly across the water to the south. Address: 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103. Parking: pay lots on N Northlake Way, or street parking in Fremont — arrive early on weekends.

South Lake Union waterfront: Multiple access points along Westlake Ave N. More convenient from Capitol Hill and downtown but parking is more difficult. The lake narrows at this end and boat traffic is heavier.

What to Know Before You Launch

Seaplane traffic: Kenmore Air and other operators use the lake as a runway. The main seaplane corridor runs roughly north-south through the center of the lake. Stay to the sides, watch for approaching aircraft on the water, and never cross the landing zone. When a seaplane is on approach, stop paddling and wait.

Boat traffic: Heavy on summer weekends. Stick to the edges of the lake where wakes are smaller. The houseboat community on the east shore (Eastlake neighborhood) creates a de facto slow zone near the docks.

The houseboats: Paddle the east shore to see Seattle’s famous floating homes. Keep a respectful distance — these are private residences on the water.

Routes

• Lake Union circumnavigation: About 2.5 miles around the lake. 60-90 minutes for most paddlers.
• East to Portage Bay: Paddle east under the Eastlake Ave bridge into Portage Bay, calmer water with the UW Husky Stadium visible to the south.
• West toward the Locks: Follow the Ship Canal west toward Fremont and the Ballard Locks — industrial scenery, occasional barge traffic, the Aurora Ave bridge overhead.