Schmitz Park

Schmitz Park is a nature reserve featuring dense old-growth forest in West Seattle. The land offers hiking trails through woodlands with native trees and vegetation left largely undisturbed.

German immigrant Ferdinand Schmitz, who served as Parks Commissioner, donated land to Seattle in 1908 to create the reserve. His gift established the foundation for what would become a protected forest today.

The Lushootseed people called this place dəxʷqutəb, reflecting their long presence in the region. This indigenous name connects the land to the original inhabitants before European settlement.

The park is open daily from early morning to evening without entrance fees. Visitors can enter through the main gates on SW Admiral Way and SW Stevens Street.

The park preserves one of Seattle's last surviving patches of original forest with old logging stumps still visible. These stumps bear notches cut by loggers who stood on them during the region's early timber operations.

Location: Seattle

GPS coordinates: 47.57472,-122.40083

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:42