Schmitz Preserve Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Schmitz Preserve Park offers a unique opportunity to experience a rare stretch of old-growth forest within West Seattle. Its distinct value lies in the natural, untamed beauty of towering mossy trees, lush ferns, and the fascinating 'nurse stump' formations where new cedars emerge from ancient ones. It provides an immersive 'deep forest' feel with soothing sounds of water, making it an ideal escape for a serene nature walk or an educational family hike.
Key Highlights
- ✓One of the few remaining stretches of old-growth forest in Seattle, featuring ancient trees, lush ferns, and abundant moss.
- ✓Contains a captivating natural phenomenon: immense Western red cedar trees emerging from monumental stumps of older trees (often referred to as 'nurse stumps').
- ✓Trails are described as 'fairly easy' and 'overall flat,' with some manageable 'steep grades'.
- ✓Features paths and bridges winding through the natural landscape.
- ✓Streams contribute to a soothing soundscape.
- ✓Very scenic, with a mix of old and new growth.
- ✓Pet-friendly (dogs enjoyed it).
Standout Features
- ⭐The preserved old-growth forest with immense, ancient trees and lush foliage.
- ⭐The unique and educational 'nurse stump' formations where new trees sprout from old ones.
- ⭐Serene and immersive 'deep forest' atmosphere with natural sounds like flowing water.
- ⭐Well-defined paths and bridges for comfortable walking.
- ⭐Accessible location in West Seattle.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Wear appropriate footwear:** Expect 'muddy areas,' so waterproof or mud-resistant shoes are recommended, especially after rain.
- →**Look for the 'nurse stumps':** Actively seek out the immense Western red cedar trees growing from large, worn stumps for a unique observation opportunity.
- →**Embrace the sensory experience:** Pay attention to the 'colors, sounds,' and the 'sound of the water' for a truly 'replenishing' visit.
- →**Consider bringing your dog:** The park is pet-friendly, as dogs were noted to enjoy it.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Reviewers noted 'a few muddy areas' on the trails, requiring appropriate footwear.
Price & Value
Not mentioned in reviews. Implied free entry as it's a park.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Trails include 'paths and bridges' for walking.
- •Likely not wheelchair or standard stroller accessible due to 'a few steep grades' and 'muddy areas' mentioned. Terrain is natural and uneven in parts.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned in reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not mentioned in reviews. As a city park, street parking nearby is typical but not confirmed.
👥Crowd Levels
- •One reviewer mentioned 'going solo...talk about replenishing the spirits,' suggesting it can be peaceful, but no specific crowd level data or busy times were provided.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Not mentioned in reviews. Standard park safety rules would apply.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you require fully paved or stroller-friendly paths due to 'steep grades' and 'muddy areas'.
Pricing/Package/Events
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Emergencies / Illegal Activity: Call 911.
- • Non-urgent requests (e.g., problems in the park) can be submitted through the Find It, Fix It mobile app.
- • Report illegal camping: (206) 684-2489.
- • Report discarded needles: (206) 684-7587.
- • Graffiti report line: (206) 684-7587. For hate graffiti on public property, cleanup aims for within 24 hours. For general graffiti on public property, cleanup aims for within 10 business days. For private property, cleanup aims for within 45-60 days.
📅Booking Policy
- • Picnic site reservations are available for other park locations (general SPR service): Call (206) 684-4080, x 2 or email sprevents@seattle.gov.
🚗Parking Information
- • A parking lot is available at the northwest corner of Schmitz Preserve Park.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Can get crowded during peak times (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Richard Ward
3 weeks agoWhat an incredible opportunity for W Seattle! The colors, the sounds, the location and the simple joy of just walking and observing your surroundings. Such a treat to spend some time in here going solo...talk about replenishing the spirits! Outstanding trails! Go get some!
Joshua Fagan
6 months agoMy favorite place in West Seattle and possibly one of my favorite places in the entire city. This is one of the few stretches of old growth still remaining in Seattle: most of the area looked like this before the arrival of the settlers, all lush ferns and mossy trees that are so dazzling in their height that their uppermost branches remain hidden. There is nothing particularly artful or consciously designed about this area: aside from the paths and bridges winding through it, much looks exactly as it did before Seattle existed. There is one area that particularly captivated me, wherein these immense Western red cedar trees emerge out of the monumental stump of a much older tree that no longer exists. The stump is so large and worn that it looks more like a stone Cliff from a distance, but it is in fact the foundation of a collection of new trees that have emerged, their trunks arcing and winding at different angles to provide space away from the parent tree, only then to shoot upward, their grainy and richly textured branches reaching toward the sunlight. One turns so sharply from horizontal to vertical that it creates a right angle not dissimilar to the curve of an elbow. It is in red cedar trees like this that one feels most fully the age of the area, feeling that there was an entire world here before the Victorian establishment of the city.
James H
8 months agoFairly easy hike. A few steep grades but overall flat trail. A few muddy areas. Very scenic mixer of old and new growth. Lots of ferns, plants and streams.
Jessica Rivera
8 months agoIt was very beautiful! It felt like being very deep in a forest. The dogs enjoyed it a lot also. The sound of the water was very soothing.
luke adamek
a month agoAwesome beautiful park full of foliage,