Saint Edward State Park is a great “hidden find” on the northeast shores of Lake Washington. It has a number of loop trails for hiking and mountain biking, all through a growing forest of native trees and understory. At the beginning of the trails can be found the Romanesque Revival style brick buildings of the original Catholic seminary – which originally served as both the seminary and boy’s school – and now can be used for events. An Olympic sized swimming pool, playground, and sport fields are also intermixed on the grounds above the forest.

Back in the later 1920s, Catholic Bishop O’Dea used his personal inheritance to purchase the property and donated it to the diocese. The large seminary and school was built in 1931 and served that purpose for many years, until in 1977 the 316 acres and all of the historical buildings were sold to the Washington state park system. And because of all that now you can go and enjoy it!

Saint Edwards State Park Kenmore Catholic Seminary Building

The original Saint Edward Catholic Seminary, now on the Washington State Historic Register and the National Register of Historic Places



Saint Edward State Park Kenmore South Ridge Trail Through Forest

Walking the South Ridge Trail



Saint Edward State Park Kenmore Lake Washington Shoreline Trees

The dense forest meanders down to 3,000 feet of Lake Washington shoreline



Saint Edward State Park Kenmore Trail Map

Saint Edwards State Park trail map