I-5 Colonnade Park

Interstate 5 runs all the way from northern Washington at the Canadian border down to the Mexican border in Southern California. There is an abundance of rest areas along the highway, including the I-5 Colonnade Park, a small, off-leash dog park situated underneath a section of the I-5 that runs through Seattle. 

The park itself is only half an acre in area, but its location underneath I-5 makes this an awesome place to take your dog during rainy days. The terrain is primarily gravel, which is good for water drainage but could be tough on your dog if he has sensitive paws. 

Although the park is off-leash, the limited space and difficult terrain make this a less than ideal location to get your dog up to speed. Despite its size and location, the park doesn’t leave you completely without facilities. There are a few benches situated around the perimeter of the rocky park, and clean drinking water that you can take advantage of.

I-5 Colonnade Park is governed by the city of Seattle and available for public use. Another organization has transformed part of the Colonnade into a training ground for urban mountain biking, and you may encounter people using these trails when you visit. There are no facilities beyond the water and benches, so you will want to bring your own poop bags to pick up after your dog if he takes care of business. 

As a final note, a small handful of individuals have expressed uneasiness at using the park, especially late at night, due to its location underneath a freeway overpass. While the park is as safe as any public space, use your best judgment to keep yourself and your dog safe while you are out and about.

Residents especially love to come to the park to get some bonding time in, and on rainy days, many people report that there is no other place to go. Whether you are headed home, or all the way to Mexico, be sure to pull off and visit if you get the chance.