About Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal
Construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Hiram M. Chittenden Locks was completed in 1917 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Connecting the waters of Lake Washington, Lake Union, and Salmon Bay to the tidal waters of Puget Sound, the canal and locks allow recreational and commercial vessels to travel to the docks and warehouses of Seattle's busy freshwater harbor. The grounds feature a visitors' center, fish ladder, as well as the Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Gardens. The Lake Washington Ship Canal Visitor Center is a great starting point for any visit. Both floors of the Visitor Center are ADA accessible, including the theater where short films are shown about the navigational and recreational aspects of the project. Free daily tours of the Locks, Botanical Garden and Fish Ladder begin at 2:00 pm, each day the Visitor Center is open, and run about one hour. Organized groups, like school field trips, may request an organized tour by emailing locktours@usace.army.mil to begin the request process. Organized tours are an ideal way to have your tour tailored to particular interests and are scheduled independent of the free daily tours. Lake Washington Ship Canal staff will work with your group to confirm your tour once a tour request is received. Special Use Permits are required to host events, rent tables and chairs or conduct filming and photography at Lake Washington Ship Canal. A Special Use Permit may be requested by emailing locktours@usace.army.mil. Lake Washington Ship Canal staff will work with your group to confirm your Special Use Permit once a request is received.
How to Get There
Directions from downtown Seattle • Take Denny Way westbound, continue onto Western Ave W and continue onto Elliott Ave W. • If you are on Hwy 99 (Alaskan Way Viaduct), exit onto Western Ave W. Follow Western until it merges with Elliott Ave W. • Once on Elliott, follow it northbound and merge onto 15th Ave W. • Turn left onto NW Market Street, . • Follow NW Market westbound through the Ballard business district. • At Taco Time bear left onto NW 54th Street. • Turn left immediately after the Lockspot Café
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal
Heading to Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal?
No central reservation system listed for Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10112103) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal?
Directions from downtown Seattle • Take Denny Way westbound, continue onto Western Ave W and continue onto Elliott Ave W. • If you are on Hwy 99 (Alaskan Way Viaduct), exit onto Western Ave W. Follow Western until it merges with Elliott Ave W. • Once on Elliott, follow it northbound and merge onto 15th Ave W. • Turn left onto NW Market Street, . • Follow NW Market westbound through the Ballard bus…
How do I contact Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal?
You can reach the park at phone: 206-783-7059 or email: locktours@usace.army.mil.
References & Official Resources
