Fitness Off the Beaten Path

For those who consider sweat to be a form of therapy, Kirkland is exactly what the doctor ordered! A high-energy hub of gyms and fitness centers, Kirkland offers everything from largescale national chain gyms, to smaller, more intimate personal training studios, and everything in between. 

If you are energized by group exercise classes in an upbeat setting, Kirkland has several great options tucked right in the downtown core! Alternatively, if your preference is to hoist some heavy weight and get the work done, a self-service gym like Anytime Fitness might be more your speed. From the relentless, sweat-inducing WODs (WOD = Workout of the Day) at the Kirkland CrossFit to personalized fitness at Happy Hour by Marisa, Kirkland has a fitness center that will inspire and motivate you! 

Get Fit in Kirkland Parks!

In Kirkland, supporting a healthy community is a huge part of our Parks and Community Services Department mission. Kirkland’s lush network of parks and natural areas offer a plethora of opportunities for running, hiking and biking and more!

Crestwoods Park

Long outdoor stairway up a hillsideIn addition to forested nature trails, athletic fields, playground and basketball court, Crestwoods Park offers a recently updated outdoor gym boasting a challenging selection of resistance equipment and multilevel pullup bars. This makes Crestwoods the ideal location to jumpstart your fitness! 

Insider Tip! Crestwoods Park is home to the famous Forbes Creek Stairs, an arduous set of outdoor stairs discreetly roughed into the hillside located near the northernmost section of the park. Built out of railroad ties, the Forbes Creek Stairs feature over 200 steps with roughly 115 feet of elevation and are well-known to fitness junkies from all over the eastside. The stairs are conveniently located near the City’s Cross Kirkland Corridor, offering an exciting side-excursion sure to elevate your heart rate!

Cross Kirkland Corridor 

The Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) is a 10-foot-wide, 5.75-mile crushed gravel pathway that extends from the South Kirkland Park & Ride to the Totem Lake Business District. The trail is a popular thruway for bicyclists and runners alike! It’s gloriously flat and easy to navigate, framed by gorgeous views, leafy green spaces and beautiful wooded areas. Distance is easy to track on the CKC, making it the perfect place to train for that upcoming 10K! 

Fun Fact about the Cross Kirkland Corridor! Kirkland Firefighters on the Wildland Firefighting Team must complete an annual “red card” recertification process required for wildland incident response. Part of the recertification is a grueling test of fitness called the “arduous pack test,” in which firefighters must travel three miles in under 45 minutes carrying a 45-pound pack. Our firefighters use the Cross Kirkland Corridor to complete this annual drill!  

Big Finn Hill Park 

Part of the King County Parks system, Big Finn Hill Park is a beautifully wooded 220-acre park with a 9.5-mile network of tree-lined trails perfect for trail running! Trail running offers a multitude of unique benefits, including reduced pressure on muscles and joints, increased balance and mobility and more! Plus, being outside in green spaces is a known mood elevator, great for fighting depression and anxiety. Big Finn Hill is filled with life-infusing trees and native species, while offering the added intrigue of wetlands, ponds and lots of woodsy wildlife. Big Finn Hill Park is in west Kirkland at 8106 N.E. 138th Street, Kirkland.

Kirkland Parks

Explore Parks

kirkland parks

Cross Kirkland Corridor

The Cross Kirkland Corridor is a compacted crushed gravel 5.75 mile segment of the Eastside Rail...

Read More

kirkland parks

Bridle Trails State Park

Bridle Trails State Park is 489-acre Washington state park in the Bridle Trails neighborhood of...

Read More

kirkland parks

O.O. Denny

Named after Orion Denny, O.O. Denny Park offers hiking trails, BBQs, covered structures for picnics...

Read More

kirkland parks

Juanita Bay Park

Juanita Bay Park abounds with flora and fauna and features views of Forbes Creek Wetland, Juanita...

Read More

kirkland parks

David E Brink

Named after the David E. Brink, the Kirkland parks director responsible for establishing many other...

Read More

kirkland parks

Big Finn Hill Park

Big Finn Hill Park is part of the King County Parks system, but luckily for Kirkland, it lies within...

Read More

kirkland parks

Heritage Park

Heritage Park is a precious piece of Kirkland history! This park offers expansive views of Lake...

Read More

kirkland parks

Houghton Beach Park

Doris Cooper Houghton Beach Park lies between Carillon Point and downtown Kirkland along Lake...

Read More

kirkland parks

Jasper's off-Leash Dog Park

Jasper's Off Leash Dog Park is a 2-acre fenced off leash dog park located in the Totem Lake area....

Read More

kirkland parks

Juanita Beach Park

Newly renovated Juanita Beach is one of Kirkland's most popular parks! Juanita Beach Park features a...

Read More

kirkland parks

Marina Park

Downtown and close to many restaurants and shops, Marina Park features a sandy beach—perfect to get...

Read More

kirkland parks

Saint Edward State Park

Saint Edward State Park spans areas of both Kirkland and Kenmore. It offers 316 acres with 3,000...

Read More

kirkland parks

Peter Kirk Park and Pool/Lee Johnson Field

Named after Kirkland's city founder, Peter Kirk Park hosts Lake Washington and Juanita High School...

Read More

kirkland parks

Watershed Park

Watershed Park is tucked away in south Kirkland like a carefully held secret waiting to be...

Read More

kirkland parks

Waverly Beach Park

Waverly Beach Park is a stunning 2.76 lakefront park with 490 lineal feet of shoreline on Lake...

Read More

kirkland parks

132nd Square Park

132nd Square Park is a beloved community asset! Located in the Kingsgate area, this lovely corner...

Read More

Water Activities

Kirkland is home to beautiful waterfront parks and beaches with an array of boating activities. Spectacular year-round sunsets reflect the mood of the region and the season.

See All Things to Do