HomeWashingtonSeaTac › Des Moines Creek Trail

Des Moines Creek Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 379 Google reviews · Running trail in SeaTac, Washington · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
2 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Des Moines Creek Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Paved2 miOpen 24hScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAHillyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Paved hiking trail leading from a park to the beach with some minor elevation.

What runners say about Des Moines Creek Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (379 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“It is so long so we like to park at different entrances and explore the entire thing, and every bend is beautiful, quiet, and it never feels like we are in the middle of the city!”

Very nice trail! It leads to the beach and the trail is not too difficult, not that steep. Highly recommend for beginners

★★★★★ — Tien , May 2024

Such a beautiful beach front in Des Moines. We want to the Polar Bear swim, that was fun! My wife and I love coming down here to walk the dog. We are new to Des Moines and love coming down here in the evenings. Some nice hiking trails and a pretty little stream to hang out by and watch the ducks.

★★★★★ — B , Jan 2022

Nice trail that follows a creek to Puget Sound. It's 4 miles round trip with some elevation gain for a nice workout.

★★★★★ — Stan , Sep 2022

Nice and shady green belt path good for a couple of miles of whatever. The entrance on the north side was a bit tricky to find as it is a bit hard to see from the road but there are quite a few parking spots. The trail was lightly used when I walked it with cyclists, skateboarders, runners, and walkers on the path.

★★★★★ — Derek , Jun 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 379 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 10 mentions

“The entrance on the north side was a bit tricky to find as it is a bit hard to see from the road but there are quite a few parking spots.”

More trails like this →

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“It is so long so we like to park at different entrances and explore the entire thing, and every bend is beautiful, quiet, and it never feels like we are in the middle of the city!”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 6 mentions

“There's the main paved trail but also a lot of little winding footpaths to explore with some gorgeous plant life to see.”

More trails like this →

⛰️ Hills / elevation 5 mentions

“Great trail along the Des Moines Creek, bank is steep at times, I keep my kids confined to the pavement mostly.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“The parking lot holds a dozen cars and has restroom facilities.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly

“My wife and I love coming down here to walk the dog.”

More trails like this →

🚰 Water fountains

More trails like this →

Stroller / ADA accessible

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Des Moines Creek Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websitetraillink.com
  • Phone+1 206-870-6527
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Des Moines Creek Trail

2151 S 200th St, SeaTac, WA 98198

Get directions

Running trails near SeaTac

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Des Moines Creek Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 70 reviews

Des Moines, WA

2 miPavedScenic

Tranquil 2-mile-plus-long trail following a stream and passing through the woods on its way to the beach.

under a mile away

City of Des Moines Park Conservation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 352 reviews

Des Moines, WA

Scenic

Scenic waterfront location featuring a marina, trails, a beach and a pier, plus picnic tables for a relaxed visit.

under a mile away

Marine View Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 684 reviews

Normandy Park, WA

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

This 27-acre woodlands nature area has shaded hiking trails & a steep path to a sandy shoreline.

1.1 miles away

Valley Loop Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Normandy Park, WA

LoopScenicDog-friendly

1.2 miles away

Barnes Creek Nature Trail

4 ★★★★☆ 31 reviews

Des Moines, WA

Natural surface

1.3 miles away

Angle Lake Park Nature Trail

4.2 ★★★★☆ 19 reviews

SeaTac, WA

Paved

1.4 miles away

All running trails in SeaTac, WA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.