Looking for the best parks and outdoor spots in Redmond? On Seattle’s Eastside, Redmond is an outdoor-and-cycling haven built around a major park, river trails, and forested ridges. This local guide covers Redmond’s marquee parks and green spaces, its trails and outdoor recreation, neighborhood gems, and how to find where locals actually go to get outside.
Redmond’s best parks & green spaces
Marymoor Park — a huge regional park at the north end of Lake Sammamish — is Redmond’s outdoor centerpiece, with a velodrome, climbing rock, off-leash dog area, and concert venue. The Redmond Watershed Preserve and Farrel-McWhirter Park (a working farm park) add forest and open space.
Trails, waterfronts & outdoor recreation in Redmond
Redmond is known as the “Bicycle Capital of the Northwest” — the Sammamish River Trail and East Lake Sammamish Trail offer miles of paved riding and running, and Marymoor’s velodrome is a cycling landmark. Lake Sammamish supports paddling, and the Watershed Preserve offers trail running.
Neighborhood parks & hidden gems
Idylwood Beach Park on Lake Sammamish, the Bear Creek and Evans Creek trails, and the quiet Watershed Preserve loops are local favorites away from Marymoor’s crowds. To see how the areas connect, check our guide to the best neighborhoods in Redmond.
What to know about Redmond parks
Marymoor charges a small parking fee and hosts big events — check the calendar. The trails connect widely and are car-optional. Pacific Northwest rain means year-round green; bring layers. Lake Sammamish is warm enough to swim in summer.
Where Redmond locals actually go outdoors
The best-kept outdoor secrets — the quiet trailhead, the uncrowded picnic spot, the park that’s perfect right now — usually come from locals, not brochures. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Redmond community, real Redmond neighbors share their favorite outdoor spots and what’s worth visiting this season. For more ideas, see our guide to the best things to do in Redmond. Join your Redmond neighbors free and discover the best local outdoor spots →
Fitting it into a day in Redmond
The parks and trails here are where neighbors actually spend their weekends, each with its own character. What sets Redmond apart is how close everything sits together. Start near Marymoor Park, work in one of the spots from this guide, and you are minutes from the Redmond Central Connector trail if you want to keep going. Locals often round out time outdoors with a detour to the Sammamish River Trail or a quieter stop at Idylwood Beach. Because the distances are short, you can improvise as you go rather than lock the whole day down in advance.
More Redmond guides
Redmond rewards people who dig a little deeper. These related guides map the same neighborhoods from different starting points: Dog-friendly Redmond, Things to do in Redmond, Free things to do in Redmond — enough to plan a whole day or two.
Get a local’s take
Guides are a starting point; the current, on-the-ground details come from people who live in Redmond. Hours shift, favorites change, and residents always know what is genuinely worth it now. Ask Redmond neighbors directly or join your town community free to hear from real locals.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best parks in Redmond, WA?
Marymoor Park at Lake Sammamish, the Redmond Watershed Preserve, Farrel-McWhirter Park, and Idylwood Beach Park.
Is Redmond good for cycling?
Yes — it’s called the ‘Bicycle Capital of the Northwest,’ with the Sammamish River and East Lake Sammamish Trails and Marymoor’s velodrome.
Where do locals go outdoors in Redmond?
Locals favor Marymoor Park, the river trails, and the Watershed Preserve — Redmond neighbors share their favorite spots in our community.