When Solstice ain't enough: Seattle's best nude parks

If you're done with the bike ride and still want to party in your birthday suit, here are the spots for you.
GRANT HINDSLEY, SEATTLEPI.COM

Alki Beach Park1702 Alki Ave. S.W., Seattle, WA 98116 Basking at this West Seattle hot spot during a warm summer day can make you feel like you've been transported to Southern California -- except for the lack of smog and traffic-clogged highways. Whether you want to go on a 2.5-mile walk, jog or bike ride from Alki Point to the Duwamish Head or simply sip a coffee or beer from any number of beach-side cafes and restaurants, Alki is a must-go destination in the summer. — **Alki Beach Park**
1702 Alki Ave. S.W., Seattle, WA 98116

Basking at this West Seattle hot spot during a warm summer day can make you feel like you've been transported to Southern California -- except for the lack of smog and traffic-clogged highways. Whether you want to go on a 2.5-mile walk, jog or bike ride from Alki Point to the Duwamish Head or simply sip a coffee or beer from any number of beach-side cafes and restaurants, Alki is a must-go destination in the summer.
GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM

Carkeek Park950 NW Carkeek Park Rd., Seattle, WA 98177 Tucked away in the northwest corner of the city, Carkeek features 220 acres of hilly forest, meadows, wetlands, creeks and beaches with great views of the Olympic Mountains on clear summer days. There's even an historic apple orchard. The park is a great summer destination, but the fall might be the best time of year to go, as you can see chum and coho salmon running up Piper's Creek. — **Carkeek Park**
950 NW Carkeek Park Rd., Seattle, WA 98177

Tucked away in the northwest corner of the city, Carkeek features 220 acres of hilly forest, meadows, wetlands, creeks and beaches with great views of the Olympic Mountains on clear summer days. There's even an historic apple orchard. The park is a great summer destination, but the fall might be the best time of year to go, as you can see chum and coho salmon running up Piper's Creek.
JORDAN STEAD/SEATTLEPI.COM

Denny-Blaine Park200 Lake Washington Blvd. E., Seattle, WA 98112 The stone wall that surrounds the outside of this two-acre park near Leschi marks Lake Washington's waterline used to be before the lake dropped nine feet following the completion of the ship canal. Popular with the LGBTQ community (it was once known as "Dykiki," Denny-Blaine has been Seattle's clothing-optional beach for some time, so come prepared. Or, rather, don't. — **Denny-Blaine Park**
200 Lake Washington Blvd. E., Seattle, WA 98112

The stone wall that surrounds the outside of this two-acre park near Leschi marks Lake Washington's waterline used to be before the lake dropped nine feet following the completion of the ship canal. Popular with the LGBTQ community (it was once known as "Dykiki," Denny-Blaine has been Seattle's clothing-optional beach for some time, so come prepared. Or, rather, don't.
Seattle Municipal Archive

Discovery Park3801 Discovery Park Blvd., Seattle, WA 98199 At 534 acres, the former home of the U.S. Army's Fort Lawton in Magnolia is Seattle's biggest park and has something for just about everyone. Miles of hiking paths through sandy bluffs, old-growth forests and shoreline? Check. Beaches? Check, north and south. Historic buildings like the West Point lighthouse? Check. Abundant wildlife including eagles, owls, herons, sea lions, seals and even the occasional bear or cougar? Double check. — **Discovery Park**
3801 Discovery Park Blvd., Seattle, WA 98199

At 534 acres, the former home of the U.S. Army's Fort Lawton in Magnolia is Seattle's biggest park and has something for just about everyone. Miles of hiking paths through sandy bluffs, old-growth forests and shoreline? Check. Beaches? Check, north and south. Historic buildings like the West Point lighthouse? Check. Abundant wildlife including eagles, owls, herons, sea lions, seals and even the occasional bear or cougar? Double check.
GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM

Gas Works Park2101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103 One of the "10 parks that changed America" according to PBS, the 19-plus acres that make up the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant make up a legitimate city landmark. With rolling lawns, kids' play areas and access to the Burke-Gilman Trail, there's plenty to do. It's also the place to be on holidays, whether you're celebrating summer solstice, watching Fourth of July fireworks or singing carols with the Christmas Ship Festival. — **Gas Works Park**
2101 N. Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103

One of the "10 parks that changed America" according to PBS, the 19-plus acres that make up the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant make up a legitimate city landmark. With rolling lawns, kids' play areas and access to the Burke-Gilman Trail, there's plenty to do. It's also the place to be on holidays, whether you're celebrating summer solstice, watching Fourth of July fireworks or singing carols with the Christmas Ship Festival.
GENNA MARTIN/SEATTLEPI.COM

Golden Gardens Beach Park8498 Seaview Pl. N.W., Seattle, WA 98117 Ballard's answer to Alki Beach has plenty of sand for lounging around (or fire dancing), as well as a boat launch into Puget Sound on the south side and marshland on the north side. It's a popular destination for kayakers and kite-surfers, and there's even an off-leash dog park up the hill from the beach, though pups aren't allowed on the beach itself. — **Golden Gardens Beach Park**
8498 Seaview Pl. N.W., Seattle, WA 98117

Ballard's answer to Alki Beach has plenty of sand for lounging around (or fire dancing), as well as a boat launch into Puget Sound on the south side and marshland on the north side. It's a popular destination for kayakers and kite-surfers, and there's even an off-leash dog park up the hill from the beach, though pups aren't allowed on the beach itself.
GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM

Green Lake7201 E. Green Lake Dr. N., Seattle, WA 98115 North-central Seattle's Green Lake is among the easiest waterfront parks for many Seattleites to get to. There's a nearly three-mile-long path around the water, which used to feature an outdoor amphitheater until Led Zeppelin (maybe) broke it in 1969. It's still a favorite for sunbathers, sports enthusiasts or anyone wanting to take out a raft or pedal boat on a hot day. Plus, it's surrounded by bars and restaurants on the east side. — **Green Lake**
7201 E. Green Lake Dr. N., Seattle, WA 98115

North-central Seattle's Green Lake is among the easiest waterfront parks for many Seattleites to get to. There's a nearly three-mile-long path around the water, which used to feature an outdoor amphitheater until Led Zeppelin (maybe) broke it in 1969. It's still a favorite for sunbathers, sports enthusiasts or anyone wanting to take out a raft or pedal boat on a hot day. Plus, it's surrounded by bars and restaurants on the east side.
GENNA MARTIN/SEATTLEPI.COM

Lincoln Park8011 Fauntleroy Way S.W., Seattle, WA 98136 Sitting just north of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, this West Seattle gem has something for nearly anybody. With great views of the Olympics and Vashon Island, 4.6 miles of walking paths and 3.9 miles of bike trails, along with newly renovated playground equipment, ball fields and even an outdoor, heated saltwater pool, there's tons to do. — **Lincoln Park**
8011 Fauntleroy Way S.W., Seattle, WA 98136

Sitting just north of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, this West Seattle gem has something for nearly anybody. With great views of the Olympics and Vashon Island, 4.6 miles of walking paths and 3.9 miles of bike trails, along with newly renovated playground equipment, ball fields and even an outdoor, heated saltwater pool, there's tons to do.
DANIEL DEMAY / SEATTLEPI.COM

Madison Park4201 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98112 Located just south of the 520 Bridge and east of the Washington Park Arboretum on the western shore of Lake Washington, the eight-acre-plus Madison Park is as family-friendly as it gets. There are fields, playgrounds and tennis courts on the park's west side, with a lifeguard-manned swimming beach and public dock on the east side. — **Madison Park**
4201 E. Madison St., Seattle, WA 98112

Located just south of the 520 Bridge and east of the Washington Park Arboretum on the western shore of Lake Washington, the eight-acre-plus Madison Park is as family-friendly as it gets. There are fields, playgrounds and tennis courts on the park's west side, with a lifeguard-manned swimming beach and public dock on the east side.
Karen Ducey/seattlepi.com file

Magnuson Park7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115 The 350-acre giant on Sand Point is the second-biggest in Seattle, behind only Discovery Park. Like Discovery Park, it's also a former military base, serving as Naval Air Station Sand Point from 1926 to 1970. There's a huge off-leash dog park for your four-legged friends, as well as sports fields, vast wetland areas (great for bird watching) and Seattle's biggest playground. — **Magnuson Park**
7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115

The 350-acre giant on Sand Point is the second-biggest in Seattle, behind only Discovery Park. Like Discovery Park, it's also a former military base, serving as Naval Air Station Sand Point from 1926 to 1970. There's a huge off-leash dog park for your four-legged friends, as well as sports fields, vast wetland areas (great for bird watching) and Seattle's biggest playground.
Angela Nickerson/seattlepi.com

Pritchard Island Beach8400 55th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118 Located north of Rainier Beach and featuring great views of Mercer Island and Seward Park, Pritchard Island Beach isn't technically an island, but who cares? The park features four acres of wetlands south of the swimming beach, which has lifeguards in the summer and is on the opposite side of the park from the Atlantic City boat ramp. — **Pritchard Island Beach**
8400 55th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118

Located north of Rainier Beach and featuring great views of Mercer Island and Seward Park, Pritchard Island Beach isn't technically an island, but who cares? The park features four acres of wetlands south of the swimming beach, which has lifeguards in the summer and is on the opposite side of the park from the Atlantic City boat ramp.
GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM

Seward Park5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle, WA 98118 A jewel of South Seattle, Seward Park's 300 acres on the Bailey Peninsula feature old-growth forest, miles of bike and walking paths, an amphitheater, native-plant garden, art studio, shoreline access and more. The former Seward Park Inn, a Tudor-style home at the entrance of the park, now houses the Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center. — **Seward Park**
5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle, WA 98118

A jewel of South Seattle, Seward Park's 300 acres on the Bailey Peninsula feature old-growth forest, miles of bike and walking paths, an amphitheater, native-plant garden, art studio, shoreline access and more. The former Seward Park Inn, a Tudor-style home at the entrance of the park, now houses the Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center.
PHIL H. WEBBER

On Saturday, Seattle's most robust naked celebration takes place.

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Fremont will be a madhouse as the annual Solstice Parade revels in all that God (or whomever your preferred higher power is) gave us.

As per usual, the parade itself will be preceded by the naked bikers, who have been leading the parade since 1992 (when it was believed to be just a group of streakers having a laugh).

The festival has come to be one of North Seattle's defining traditions, showcasing everything from Seattle's environmentalism to our liberal side (with a strong anti-GOP undercurrent in many naked bikers' paint or signs) to, well, our enjoyment of flaunting the rules and not wearing full pants, rain or shine.

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Of course, that's not the only place Seattle lets it all hang out.

Though we're not overrun with them, there are a few Seattle-area nude parks that locals can (and do) hit when they want the full sunbathe option.

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Click through the gallery above if you're interested in planning a visit, or you've got time to kill post-bike ride this weekend -- or, hey, if you just can't wait until Saturday for your nude adventuring.

We in Seattle know that with the summer solstice comes a horde of naked bicyclists peddling through Fremont.This year's parade - which includes many spectacular sights other than people's painted privates - starts at 1 p.m. Saturday and rolls through the heart of Fremont and into Gas Works Park.Now, if you haven't done it before but are considering joining the circus, there's some strategy and etiquette involved in being a birthday-suit biker. Because we care, we're passing along advice from seasoned naked cyclists so that you can naked-bike like a pro. Oh, and there are a few tips for spectators, too.The entire Fremont Fair runs Friday through Sunday. — We in Seattle know that with the summer solstice comes a horde of naked bicyclists peddling through Fremont.

This year's parade - which includes many spectacular sights other than people's painted privates - starts at 1 p.m. Saturday and rolls through the heart of Fremont and into Gas Works Park.

Now, if you haven't done it before but are considering joining the circus, there's some strategy and etiquette involved in being a birthday-suit biker. Because we care, we're passing along advice from seasoned naked cyclists so that you can naked-bike like a pro. Oh, and there are a few tips for spectators, too.

The entire Fremont Fair runs Friday through Sunday.
JORDAN STEAD/seattlepi.com file photo

And if you're more inclined to soak in some of this beautiful weather away from nude folks, don't worry: There's some regular parks and beaches for you to check out too.