Looking for more places to paddle near Seattle and the Sammamish River?
Head to Everett to kayak around Spencer Island, or further north to Kayak Point near Stanwood. For the chance to paddle or swim, take a short hike to Whistle Lake on Fidalgo Island.
LOCATION
Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park) is located at 7515 NE 175th Street in Kenmore, Washington, just south of NE Bothell Way. It’s proximity to the north end of Lake Washington makes it a convenient location for paddlers in north Seattle and the surrounding area.
DIFFICULTY
Easy — Accessible boat docks at Tl’ awh-ah-dees make it easy to get your kayak or paddle board in and out of the water. The placid Sammamish River offers flat water paddling that’s ideal for beginners (and fun for everyone).
WE WERE HERE
July, 2025, about two hours
WHAT’S IN A NAME: TL’ AWH-AH-DEES
Tl’ awh-ah-dees is the Lushootseed name given to Kenmore Paddle Park in 2021. Named for the Lushootseed village that once stood near this spot, it refers to “a place where something is grown or sprouts”. To learn more about this renaming and hear how to pronounce it, please visit the official Tl’ awh-ah-dees Park website.
It’s a beautiful name for a special place with a long history. Because it may be unfamiliar to many, I will continue to refer to the park as both Tl’ awh-ah-dees and Kenmore Paddle Park throughout this review, but want to first take a moment to honor the story of Tl’ awh-ah-dees and the Lushootseed people.
CURRENT INFO
Visit the city of Knemore’s website for more information about Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park).
GOOD TO KNOW
- Parking is free at Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park).
- Easily accessible docks and a large paved staging area make Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park) an ideal spot to launch your kayak or paddle board. It’s truly one of the most paddle-friendly parks in the area.
- Need a life vest? Borrow one for free! Look for the life jacket loaner station near the parking lot.
- Restrooms, drinking water, and garbage bins are available.
- The park offers picnic tables and benches as well as beautiful viewing platforms and bridges. Even if you don’t plan to paddle, it’s worth a quick visit.
- Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park) is easily accessible from the Burke-Gilman Trail. While you probably won’t use this option when bringing your kayak or paddle board, it’s a great place to stop when biking or walking along the trail.
- Swimming is not allowed. Honestly, once you see how weedy the water is, you’ll probably prefer to remain in your boat.
- Pets on leash are allowed in the area immediately surrounding the parking lot, but not in the wetlands or waterways.
- Bring water, hats for shade, and sunscreen.
- Always follow Leave No Trace principles.
HIGHLIGHTS
Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park) makes getting out on the Sammamish River a breeze. This small park is a delight, with a maze of walkways and viewing platforms to explore before you even get out on the water. On the Sammamish River, you’ll wind through wetlands, riverside neighborhoods, and past other parks that beg to be explored. You may have to do that from a distance as you paddle, however, as there are few places to pull ashore. You’ll pass many private docks, but there are no public ones between Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park) and Bothell Landing. Enjoy the views, and make plans to explore more from the shore.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
The lazy Sammamish River is ideal for families looking for a fun, easy place to paddle. Although I didn’t have my kids with me, I couldn’t help imagining how much they would enjoy being out on the water here. From herons to riverside houses, bridges, and boats, there’s something new to see around every corner.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
There are many wonderful parks along the shores of Lake Washington not far from Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park). For some great urban hikes, head to Saint Edward State Park or O. O. Denny Park on the east side, or head west to Magnuson Park in Seattle.
Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park) is located mere steps away from the Burke-Gilman Trail, a popular paved bicycle and pedestrian path that travels from Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood to Kenmore. As the trail leaves Kenmore, it connects with the Sammamish River Trail, continuing through Bothell and Woodinville to Marymoor Park in Redmond. I love walking and biking here, as does my lovely golden retriever. True, he doesn’t bike, but he is all about the walks, and heading out on the Burke-Gilman is a classic Seattle experience for both dogs and humans.
When it comes to food and drink, you don’t have to go far. Just across the Burke-Gilman, you’ll find Kenmore’s “Brew Row”, home to Postdoc Brewing, Copperworks Distilling, and the restaurant De La Soil. On the opposite side of NE Bothell Way, Stoup Brewing has an outpost a few blocks down the road.
Our Experience
What better way to spend a sunny day in Seattle than on the water? OK, technically we were in Kenmore, not Seattle, but close enough. The sun was positively beaming as my friend, Amy, and I carried the inflatable kayak down to the dock at Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park). I regretted not packing a hat for our outing, but other than that things were just about perfect.
We glided effortlessly through the water as we left the park, turning left on the Sammamish River to head upstream. Not that we could tell we were paddling against the current; being on the river felt akin to floating across a pond. The wetlands surrounding us only heightened that feeling. We spotted a few herons silently stalking their dinner at the water’s edge.
Soon the wetlands gave way to a suburban neighborhood with docks crowding the shore. Motorboats sat quietly waiting for their turn on the water. Fortunately for us paddlers and the local wildlife, this is a no-wake zone, so there’s no need to worry about speedy boat traffic.
While kayaking past the houses, we came to our first wooden bridge along the river, a graceful arch mirrored in the gentle ripples of the water. It was a sign that we were nearing Wayne Park, a former golf course that is now an open green space for the public to enjoy. A second bridge crosses the Sammamish at the other end of the park.
After passing a few more houses, we found ourselves once again surrounded by nature. The trees cast long reflections across the water, enveloping us in a world of green broken only by the blue sky overhead. We spotted a few more kayakers in this area, and it was nice to see others out enjoying the experience.
We were now passing near Blythe Park. The park is home to a popular playground and picnic area, as well as a disc golf course, but all of that lay hidden behind the trees. From the river, there are a few places where you might be able to pull a kayak or paddle board ashore, then climb the narrow dirt trail into the park, but there is no dock. High above, a former railroad trestle crosses the Sammamish River, providing bicyclists and walkers access. A rope dangled from one of the steel beams beneath the trestle, and Amy and I both had to wonder, how did anyone manage to get out there and tie it on? And does anyone actually use it? For that matter, should anyone actually use it?
The trestle was our turnaround point. We pivoted the kayak to head downstream, back to Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park). It was fun to see everything from a new angle on the return trip, and appreciate some of the more unusual houses along the route.
Back at Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park), a few more paddlers were just heading out while families strolled the waterfront paths. Within minutes we had pulled the boat up to the dock and carried it to the parking lot. Offering both ease of access and natural beauty, Tl’ awh-ah-dees (Kenmore Paddle Park) is a true gem.
