Address: 3015 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107, USA
Phone: +12067802500
Sunday: 7AM–9PM
Monday: 7AM–9PM
Tuesday: 7AM–9PM
Wednesday: 7AM–9PM
Thursday: 7AM–9PM
Friday: 7AM–9PM
Saturday: 7AM–9PM
Mark
Beautifully well-maintained locks surrounded by lush greenery and gardens. I didn't see any fish in the waterway but I did see plenty of boats and gardens. Highly recommended if you are in the area.
Jennifer Troy
A definite must check it out for anyone who hasn't seen an active working Locks. Very interesting, you get to see how the system works that lets boats of all sizes go through. You see all kinds of very interesting boats. We also saw some sea lions hunting for fish. There's also a beautiful botanical garden there with walking paths and a great variety of plants and trees. Perfect place for a picnic in a warm day. Plant lovers would enjoy this garden. There's also a fish ladder to watch the salmon go through although we didn't see any on our visit. Must not be the season. You can Google when the fish swim through to see, it'd make it a much more interesting experience.
K W
Having grown up nearby, I hold a special place in my heart for The Locks. I love to watch the boats transition between the sound and the lake. The draw bridge for the train always catches my attention too. I love all of the science: biology, physics, engineering, that's in motion at the locks. There are great spaces for picnics on a sunny day. Right now, the Herons are incubating eggs in the 70+ nests around the locks. It's a beautiful place on a sunny day. The Cons: The cement stairs down to the water are weathered and the lower stairs are crumbling. There are covered shelters, between the south parking and the locks, being occupied by the homeless. A festering puddle nearly covers a section of the walkway. The fish ladder windows are near completely coated in Algae, rendering them useless for the intended purpose of viewing fish passing through. But, The public restrooms next to the locks were clean, the gift shop is cute, and the employees are kind. I love the Locks.
Yü Wu
Really interesting spot to check out while in Seattle. You can walk on the locks to cross the canal and visit the Commodore Park on the Magnolia side and Botanic Garden on the Ballard side. But better yet is to spend some time taking a closer look at the Salmon ladder and if you are lucky, to see a boat crossing the locks. It's gonna take a few minutes but it's fascinating!
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Not yet they are supposed to arrive in June sometime
Are you the size of a sailing boat? Then no, you can't. Or if you get reincarnated as a salmon, then maybe. They have special salmon stairs for migrating fish.
Agreed was at the locks last weekend and there were some fish visible in the viewing area
1911-17, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballard_Locks
Dan is correct, you can't cross the Locks at night on foot after 9:00 pm but the Locks are still operational for boats 24/7
Pretty strictly fresh The locks at the canal flush back all the salt water pretty well Lake Union is a great in between before Lake Washington
No crew transfers allowed at the locks.
No, private property
No, the Locks and garden are free. Unless you plan to travel by boat.
No, just a place for boats to pass through
Mid-June through end of September, check the website for details of species, etc.
We recently got all the approvals signed by the Corps of Engineers and will be installing the large digital display wall and some improvements to West entrance in the next few weeks. Plan to be operational by late June
North side all along market Street. You walk through the botanical gardens.
There are no entrance fees for the locks, salmon ladder or garden beside the locks. There are also free tours at certain times each day.
Always. Make sure to walk across to the West side and view the fish ladder... I was there and no fish were running, maybe they are in season now?
No, you cannot fish here, there might be Some places around it where you can in the season
Response to John: To be clear, yes to PWCs and you doubt that the equipment requirements are the same. Is that what you mean?
Staff is on site starting at 7 am. Best time for a lot of boat traffic coming into Seattle on a Sunday is later in the evening as the weekenders come back home. But you should see boats at all hours.
The South side has both free parking lots as well a lot of on street free unlimited parking. The North entrance has a City of Seattle metered parking lot and another pay for parking lot and a lot of free unlimited parking in the neighborhood. On a busy summer day when the salmon are running or on Sunday when we have free concerts parking is very difficult unless you come early, If you don't mind a little walking you can usually find a spot somewhere.
Yes, you can do both in a day....1-2 hours is plenty at the Locks. No particular time, the Garden is in bloom and you might spot a ship or two "Locking Through" ...no Salmon this time of year, so not worth looking in the Fish Ladder for them.
Summer Sat and Sunday, bring a picnic!
Small locks annual maintenance for 2 weeks starting March 6-7
It does. Salt water is heavier and flows under the fresh water. At the Locks the idea is to hold the salt water back to avoid mixing with the fresh waters of Salmon Bay and Lake Union. Salt water is corrosive and undesirable
There are 3 salmon runs at the Locks from June through September...a few stragglers can be seen on either end of this time frame...peak viewing is the Sockeye run early July
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