If there’s one spot in Seattle that combines nature, engineering, and wildlife, it’s the Ballard Locks. Officially called the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, it’s a place where boats, salmon, and sea lions all cross paths. It’s easily one of the most unique attractions in Seattle.
The locks connect Lake Union and Lake Washington to the Puget Sound, letting boats pass between freshwater and saltwater while keeping the lake levels stable. You can watch the whole process up close as sailboats, fishing vessels, and even massive yachts rise or fall in the lock chambers before heading in or out to sea.
But what makes the Ballard Locks even more fascinating is what’s happening underneath the water. The Ballard Locks fish ladder gives salmon a path to swim upstream on their journey to spawn, and there’s even an underwater viewing window where you can see them up close during their summer run.
There’s a lot going on at the Ballard Locks, so I created this guide to share what you need to know before visiting this unique place in Seattle.
Ballard Locks Complete Guide
The Ballard Locks are an example of how a piece of modern infrastructure can turn into a tourist attraction.
Originally constructed in 1917, the locks were designed to connect Lake Washington and Puget Sound for the purpose of transporting logs, lumber, and fishing vessels.
Nowadays, the locks have turned into quite the attraction. People from all over come to see boats move up and down between two completely different water levels.
It’s fascinating to watch, especially when several different sizes of boats are packed in together. And with that, the Ballard locks are the busiest lock system in the entire country.
Next to the locks is the fish ladder, which, in my opinion, is the most interesting area of the facility. It gives migrating salmon a way to swim upstream from the ocean back to the freshwater lakes and rivers where they spawn.
From the viewing room, you can peer through the large underwater windows to watch the fish up close during the summer salmon runs from June through September.
During the summer months, you may also see a few harbor seals hanging around the locks, feeding on the salmon. The seals are actually a problem because they hurt the salmon populations. But it’s still fascinating to witness how they’ve adapted to man-made infrastructure.
On the north side of the locks is the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden. It’s a place with grassy lawns, walking paths, and is the perfect place for a picnic. You can even watch the boats move in and out of the locks from the garden.
How to get to the Ballard Locks
There are two main entrances to the Ballard Locks:
- North entrance in the Ballard neighborhood
- South entrance in Magnolia
North Entrance (Ballard Side)
The north entrance is the main access point and is located in the Ballard neighborhood. There is a paid parking lot with plenty of spaces, and the entrance takes you through the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden and past the Visitor Center before you reach the locks themselves. This side is generally the easiest and more scenic starting point.
South Entrance (Magnolia Side)
The south entrance is located in the Magnolia neighborhood and has a small free parking lot. It’s slightly closer to the Fish Ladder and the underwater viewing area. The downside is that the lot is tiny and fills up quickly.
My recommendation is to park at the north entrance as long as you don’t mind paying a few dollars. It’s a much larger parking area and easier to enter from.
Both the north and south areas are connected by a pedestrian bridge that crosses directly over the locks, so no matter where you start, you can explore the entire area.
Best time to visit the Ballard Locks Fish Ladder
The salmon migration happens seasonally, so timing your visit is critical.
The best time to visit the Ballard Locks Fish Ladder is from June through September, when Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon return to spawn.
Each species peaks at slightly different times:
- Mid June through July – Sockeye
- August – Chinook
- September – Coho
But even during peak season, the amount of salmon passing through the locks changes day by day.
The most reliable way that I’ve found to check whether there are actually salmon at Ballard Locks is the Official Lake Washington Salmon Counts. They have updated counts for each salmon species daily, so you can check whether the salmon are actually there.
The best way to see the fish is from the salmon ladder viewing room, which is an area with glass windows where you can get face-to-face with the fish as they migrate upstream.
How the Locks Work
Think of the locks like an elevator for boats.
First, the boats line up inside a gated chamber.
Then, the gates close behind them, and water is either pumped in or drained out to raise or lower the boats to the proper level. Once the water levels match, the opposite gate opens, and the boats continue on their way.
It’s a neat process that you can watch play out at any time of the day, because the locks are open 24/7. There are viewing areas on the sides of the locks where you can observe the lock and dam operators guiding the boats.
It’s common to find a mix of all types of vessels, including sailboats, fishing boats, and yachts, all packed into the same chamber. The entire process takes about 20 minutes.
Ballard Locks Botanical Garden
One of our favorite things to do in Seattle is hang out at the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden. It overlooks the Ballard Locks, and while sitting out on the lawn, you can actually watch the boats move in and out.
We’ve spent many lazy afternoons there picnicking out on the grass, reading a book, and watching the boats move in and out of the locks.
The garden itself is a peaceful green space that feels like a completely different world from the adjacent locks. It has tons of species, from shrubs and evergreens to seasonal flowers. It’s one of Seattle’s more underrated parks.
Are You Following Our Seattle Blog Series?
We’re based in Seattle and have done so many awesome things in this city. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our Seattle travel guide: 27 Incredible Things to Do in Seattle
- Our Seattle hiking guide: 11 Incredible Hikes Near Seattle
- Best day trip from Seattle: Bainbridge Island
- Best national park near Seattle: Mount Rainier National Park
I hope you enjoyed our guide to the Ballard Locks in Seattle! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
