The Lake Itself
Picture a compact body of water about 15 acres across, dropping to a maximum depth of 36 feet. You will find it roughly between N. 122nd and N. 128th Streets, framed by Densmore Avenue N. on the west and Corliss Avenue N. on the east.
Shaped by ice
Thousands of years ago, a retreating glacier left a chunk of ice stranded in the ground here, and when it melted, the hollow it left behind filled with water. Today the lake gathers runoff from about 280 acres of surrounding land. Water leaves through a control structure on the west side and eventually flows on to Lake Union.
A lake with three names
Long before any neighborhood grew up around it, the lake carried the Lushootseed name sisaɬtəb, which translates roughly as "calmed down a little." The Shilshole people hunted here and turned to the lake as a refuge when northern peoples such as the Tlingit and Haida raided for slaves.
In the 1880s a British immigrant named John Welch claimed the land, so early European settlers knew it as Welch Lake. The name you hear today honors Theodore N. Haller, who platted the neighborhood in 1905. His father, Granville O. Haller, was an army officer and early Seattle settler who built up a large estate in the region.
Getting to the water
With homes along nearly the entire shore, public access comes down to two street rights-of-way. Find one at Meridian Avenue N. on the north shore. The other is at N. 125th Street on the west side, where a small park invites you to pause and take in the view across the water.
Northacres Park and More Green Space
Head east of the lake to 1st Avenue N.E. for Northacres Park, the neighborhood's biggest outdoor draw. Its 20.7 acres pack in a surprising range of uses for a park of that size, so families, dog owners and walkers all find a reason to linger.
Ways to spend time at Northacres
- Walk the woods: follow forested trails that wind through the park for a shady break from city streets.
- Cool off: let younger kids loose at the family play area's splash pad, a favorite on warm days.
- Play a game: join pickup or organized play on the sports fields.
- Bring lunch: settle in at the picnic area and make an afternoon of it.
- Let the dog run: give your dog room to roam in the off-leash area.
Browse our Northacres Park guide for facility details, and if you are bringing a dog, see our guide to the Northacres off-leash area. Check with Seattle Parks and Recreation for current hours and splash pad schedules, which can change by season.
The Haller Lake P-Patch
Near N. 130th Street and 1st Avenue NE, the Haller Lake P-Patch spreads across 52 plots as a city community garden, part of Seattle's P-Patch program since 1998. Learn more in our Haller Lake community garden guide, and reach out to the City of Seattle P-Patch program about plot availability.
Just northwest of the lake on Densmore Avenue N., the Haller Lake Community Club ranks among the neighborhood's longest-running institutions, founded in 1922 as the Haller Lake Improvement Club. Step inside and the standout is a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, installed in 1969 and a rare sight in a neighborhood clubhouse. Check with the club directly for events and rental information.
Nearby Schools and Landmarks
North of the lake on N. 130th Street stands Ingraham High School. In the neighborhood's northeast corner, Lakeside School is known for its notable alumni, including Microsoft founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen, actor Adam West and former Washington Governor Booth Gardner.
Southwest of the lake, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center spreads across a 33-acre campus on N. 115th Street, one of the larger landmarks in this part of north Seattle.
Plan Your Half Day
Start with a walk through the Northacres woods, then stop at the small park on N. 125th Street to look out over the lake. Families can add time at the splash pad, and dog owners can wrap up at the off-leash area. Since the lakeshore is mostly private, stick to the public access points and be respectful of nearby homes.
