Find Posts By Topic

2024 Summer Hours and Beach Fire Season at Alki and Golden Gardens

Seattle Parks and Recreation will enact a pilot shortening the hours at Golden Gardens and Alki Beach during the 2024 summer months from 4 A.M.-10:30 P.M. from May 24-September 22. And a return to 4 A.M. – 11:30 P.M. after September 22.

The shortened hours will assist in addressing dangerous and/or illegal behavior typical of summer evening uses at these two parks in response to public input and nearby community complaints. 

This program is a pilot and will be reviewed at a Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners meeting after the summer to help determine the best operating hours for the public. This review will be informed by public comments from the questionnaire below, public comment given at the Board meeting, and data collected throughout the pilot period.

During the Summer 2024 Season, Seattle Parks and Recreation staff, assisted by Seattle Police Department staff, will begin closing down these two beach locations starting at 10:00 P.M. 

Public input can be provided here.

Additionally, designated fire pits will be available for beach fires this summer beginning Friday, May 24, 2024. 

Beach Fire and Park Rules

Starting Friday, May 24, 2024, designated fire pits will be available for beach fires at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens seven days a week on a first come, first served basis. Bringing your own fire pit is not allowed, and no propane fire pits/rings are allowed.

  • Fires must be extinguished by 10 p.m.
  • Fires allowed 7 days a week starting Friday, May 24 through Sunday, September 22.
  • Staff will be on-site to manage and assist with putting out fires at 10 p.m.
  • Parking lot gates will be locked and the park will close at 10:30 p.m. for summer hours.
  • Please only burn clean (natural, bare, dry cord-wood) wood and douse your fire completely before leaving.
  • Light a fire ONLY in one of the installed fire containers
  • Use only clean, dry firewood
  • Please douse your fire with water, not sand
  • Fires are not allowed during air pollution alerts; we will post sign
  • Please don’t remove any materials from the park, beach or dunes
  • Please dispose of trash and ashes in the containers provided for each. (SMC 18.12.260)
  • Be considerate of others–please, no loud or amplified music! (SMC 18.12.170)
  • Remember, no alcohol or smoking are allowed, and parks are drug-free zones.

Beach fire rules are outlined in detail in the Seattle Municipal Code section 18.12.270 and in our Beach Fires Policy.

If you see an illegal fire, call 911. For current burn ban and air quality questions, contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

Fire pits at Golden Gardens and Alki are unlocked by 5:30pm starting May 24.  Please extinguish all beach fires (using water, not sand) by 10 p.m. in order to ensure that all fires are completely extinguished in ample time before the park’s closure.