Camp Long
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Camp Long offers a unique 'urban jungle' experience with sensational hiking opportunities, breathtaking mountain views, and pristine trails winding through native forest. It's highly valued for its extensive natural areas, cleanliness, and facilities like bathrooms and garbage cans. It's a versatile venue suitable for active families, dog walkers, school nature exploration, and even specialized athletic training.
Key Highlights
- ✓Sensational hiking experience with breathtaking mountain views and options for challenges.
- ✓Extensive network of pristine trails through native forest, offering many areas to explore.
- ✓Creek trails that go a long way, eventually leading to the Duwamish River & Puget Sound.
- ✓Environment is actively maintained to be clean, free of litter, and described as 'free of sketchy people, tents or needles'.
- ✓Specialized courses for highly-skilled athletes are available, though likely require club membership.
- ✓Bathrooms and garbage cans are conveniently located throughout the park.
- ✓Visitor's center is believed to be open again (recommend checking current status).
- ✓Opportunity to see berries and diverse forest flora.
- ✓Dog-friendly trails (on-leash policy enforced).
Standout Features
- ⭐Extensive and pristine natural trail system.
- ⭐Clean and well-maintained public bathrooms.
- ⭐Strategically placed garbage cans throughout the park.
- ⭐Free parking (though limited).
- ⭐Visitor's center (check current operating hours).
- ⭐Unique creek system connecting to major waterways.
- ⭐Specific courses for advanced athletic training.
- ⭐Designated dog-friendly trails (on-leash required).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Contact city officials prior to your visit, as their information is posted throughout the area.
- →Wear appropriate footwear and prepare for marsh-like conditions if visiting after rain.
- →Consider bringing a map or using a navigation app, as trail markings can be sparse or unclear.
- →Keep dogs on a leash at all times and pick up after them.
- →Verify the operating hours of the visitor's center before planning your visit around it.
- →Do not attempt to use the highly-skilled athletic courses without first checking club requirements or seeking permission.
- →Be mindful and respectful of nature and the Indigenous people whose land the camp is on.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Presence of homeless encampments reported on or adjacent to trails by multiple reviewers.
- ⚠Marsh-like conditions can occur in areas following rain.
- ⚠Trail markings are often poor or lacking, making navigation potentially difficult.
- ⚠Parking is free but described as limited, which could be an issue during busy periods.
- ⚠Access to the specialized athletic courses may require club membership or prior arrangement.
- ⚠Some trails may not offer city views, contrary to what some visitors might expect.
Price & Value
Access to Camp Long and its extensive trail system appears to be free of charge, making it an excellent value for a family-friendly outdoor adventure. Parking is also free, which adds to its affordability, although finding a spot might be challenging due to limited availability.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for individuals with disabilities (e.g., wheelchair access for trails, sensory-friendly hours) were explicitly mentioned in the reviews. The primary activities involve hiking on natural trails, which typically require a certain level of mobility.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •The reviews do not explicitly state a food policy. However, the presence of numerous garbage cans throughout the park suggests that bringing outside food and drinks for picnicking or snacking is permitted, provided waste is properly disposed of. No mention of restrictions or on-site food sales.
🚗Parking Info
- •Free parking is available, but it is explicitly described as limited. This suggests that during peak hours or popular seasons, finding an open parking spot might be difficult.
👥Crowd Levels
- •One reviewer described the place as 'pretty isolated', implying a generally low crowd level. However, the mention of 'limited' free parking could indicate that it does attract enough visitors to fill up parking spots during certain times, which might lead to moderate crowds on trails.
- •Likely quieter on weekdays and potentially busier on weekends, especially during favorable weather.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Reviewers note that park staff (or community members) 'take care of the land, keeping it clean & free of sketchy people', and explicitly state, 'You’re not going to find tents or needles or anything like that here'.
- •Contact information for city officials is posted throughout the area, possibly for safety or administrative purposes.
- •A significant safety concern raised by multiple reviewers is the presence of homeless encampments on or adjacent to trails, particularly 'if kids are exploring these woods'.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Visiting immediately after heavy rainfall if you prefer dry trails and wish to avoid marshy conditions.
- • If you are uncomfortable with the presence of homeless encampments near recreational areas, particularly with children.
- • If you rely heavily on clear, abundant trail signage for easy navigation.
- • If your primary goal is to find trails with panoramic city views (these may not be available from all paths).
- • Attempting to use specialized athletic courses without prior arrangements or club membership.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Yogi Donovan
12 months agoA sensational hiking experience. Breathtaking view of the mountains, and options for challenges if you’re up to it. Please contact city officials prior to using area. Contact information is posted throughout. Also be aware that camp runs adjacent to west Seattle homeowners. Prepare for random marsh like conditions following rain but Eitherwise an “urban jungle” treasure
Maria
3 years agoThis is an amazing park with many trails to explore! The creek goes on a really long way, eventually leading to the Duwamish River & Puget Sound. It’s a great place for dogs (please keep them on a leash & pick up after them!). The people really take care of the land, keeping it clean & free of sketchy people. You’re not going to find tents or needles or anything like that here (I’m not saying people in tents are bad or that everyone in tents use needles- not AT ALL). There is a course through the entire camp for the highly-skilled athletes. I think you have to belong to the club to use the courses, so don’t just go doing acrobats without asking first. There are garbage cans & bathrooms throughout, so no need to toss anything on the ground or pop a squat! They’ve got you covered. There’s even a pay phone in front!! While it’s nice having a place that’s pretty isolated, it seems a shame to not share the magic of Camp Long. Check out the visitor’s center, because I believe they’re open again. Parking is free, though limited. Have a great time & be respectful of nature & the Indigenous people who this land rightfully belongs to!
K M-V
2 years agoGreat spot to take your dog for a quick loop walk. It’s also apparently a location for school kids to explore nature in a camp type setting. But they don’t mind you walking your dog on leash on the trails. I did spot a homeless camp which should be addressed if kids are exploring these woods.
Carla Benavides
8 months agoNot many markings that signal where to go. Homeless camp on both sides of what I thought was a trail. I will return but I will take another path. It was fun to see berries and the forest. I didn’t get to see any city views.
Dhira Brown
a year agoSo many fun features at this park and the trails are pristine with native forest. Highly recommend a visit.