Park overview:
Lake Sammamish State Park is a 512-acre day-use park with 6,858 feet of waterfront on Lake Sammamish. The area around the lake was an important culture zone for local Native American tribes for centuries. The park provides deciduous forest and wetland vegetation for the enjoyment of visitors. A salmon-bearing creek and a great-blue-heron rookery are additional features.
Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page. Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 6:30 a.m. to dusk for the main park and boat launch.
Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks
Current alerts:
A construction project to replace old piers at the watercraft launch area is scheduled to begin the week of October 29, 2012. The launch will remain open. Congestion is expected.
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass
website.
Campsite Information:
The park has no camping.
Group Accommodations:
The park has the Hans Jensen youth group camping area. It accommodates up to 200 people and up to 40 cars. There are 36 picnic tables, 12 stoves, a covered picnic shelter and four vault toilets. To make a reservation, visit
online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.The fee is $2.25 per person and a $8.50 non-refundable reservation fee.
Driving Directions
Located on the edge of the city of Issaquah, Wash. in King County.
Park address:
2000 NW Sammamish State Park
Issaquah, WA 98027
From I-90:
Drive east to exit #15, and follow the signs.
Park Maps
Lake Sammamish downloadable pdf map #1
List of all downloadable Washington State Park
maps.
Park Features
The park includes diverse natural wetlands, a large great blue heron rookery and the salmon-bearing Issaquah Creek. The park has one of the largest freshwater beaches in the greater Seattle area.
History
The Lake Sammamish area was once a gathering place for Indian tribes. They celebrated their "potlatch," or winter festival, at the south end of the lake, where they hunted, fished and berry-gathered in preparation for winter. The word "Sammamish" comes from the Indian "Samena," meaning "hunter."
Interpretive opportunities
Interpretive displays on wetlands and the watershed.
Services/Supplies
| | Available in the area |
| | • Auto repair
• Camping
• Fishing/hunting
• Gasoline
• Gifts
• Golf
• Groceries
• Hardware
• Marine supplies
• Overnight Accommodations
• Postal service
• Propane
• Recreational equipment
• White gas
• Wood
• Swimming
|
Kayak rental is available in the summer. Most other services are available near the park.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
• 1.5 mi. Hiking Trails
• 1.5 mi. Bike Trails
| • Boating (freshwater)
• 9 boat ramps (freshwater)
• Fishing (freshwater)
• Personal Watercraft (freshwater)
• Swimming (freshwater)
• Water Skiing (freshwater)
| • 1 Amphitheater
• Bird Watching
• 5 Horseshoe pits
• Interpretive Activities
• 2 Softball Fields
• 5 Volleyball Fields
• Wildlife Viewing
|
The park offers easy hiking trails, plus bicycling and mountain biking through natural areas along paved and compacted dirt roads. Kayak rentals are available in the summer. There are sanded volleyball courts, but many people place volleyball nets anywhere on the beach. There are two bath houses with dressing rooms and two "big toy" children's play areas. There are two baseball fields.
A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website. |
Events
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit
www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
| Events |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
Dec. 19
8 .am. - 12 p.m. |
Eastside Audubon Birding Walk: Lake Sammamish State Park has a variety of ecosystems in an urban setting, resulting in a wide assortment of feathered denizens. The Eastside Audubon invites everyone to a morning birding walk to view the many species of birds residing around Lake Sammamish. The walk is approximately 2 to 3 miles in length. Participants will meet just inside the main entrance in the left-hand parking area. It is recommended walkers wear rainproof clothing and dress in layers as trails may be muddy. For more information, visit www.eastsideaudubon.org or contact co-leader Sharon Aagaard at (425) 391-3460.
|
Lake Sammamish
(425) 391-3460 |
Jan. 14
8 .am. - 12 p.m. |
Eastside Audubon Birding Walk: Learn to identify the birds of Lake Sammamish State Park with the Eastside Audubon. Everyone to a morning birding walk to view the many species of birds residing around at the park. The walk is approximately 2 to 3 miles in length. Participants will meet just inside the main entrance in the left-hand parking area. It is recommended walkers wear rainproof clothing and dress in layers as trails may be muddy. For more information, visit www.eastsideaudubon.org or contact co-leader Sharon Aagaard at (425) 391-3460.
|
Lake Sammamish
(425) 391-3460 |
Full list of
events at Washington State Parks
Boating Features
There are nine watercraft launches located off E. Lake Sammamish Parkway SE. There are two 60 feet by 4 feet and four 40 feet by 4 feet finger docks spaced among nine 12 feet by 30 feet launch ramps. There is one restroom and parking for 250 car/boat-trailer combinations.
A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 is available at the park.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices,
online, and at parks when staff is available.
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The reservable kitchen shelter has two sinks and a center counter with electrical outlets. There are horseshoe pits and a sand volleyball area nearby. The shelter accommodates groups up to 400 people.
The Rotunda, another rentable shelter, has three sinks and, a central fireplace. It accommodates groups of up to 100 people.
The Creek shelter is the only group site to offer a view of the lake. It is reservable for groups of up to 200 people and offers a volleyball areas.
All day-use facilities are reservable by visiting
online or calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
The park also offers one sheltered and 475 unsheltered picnic tables, plus 80 barbecue grills on stands.
Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
• Chipmunks
• Coyotes
• Deer or Elk
• Rabbits
• Raccoons
• Squirrels
| • Crows or Ravens
• Doves or Pigeons
• Ducks
• Geese
• Gulls
• Hawks
• Herons
• Jays
• Owls
• Woodpeckers
| • Bass
• Salmon
• Trout
|
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | | Plant Life | |
| In recent times, coal was mined in the area and shipped by rail to Seattle. | | • Cedar
• Douglas Fir
• Hemlock
• Nobel Fir
• Alder
• Birch
• Cherry
• Maple
• Daisy
• Foxglove
• Rhododendron
• Berries
• Ferns
• Moss or Lichens
• Poison Ivy
|
|
Park photo gallery
We'll be adding photos to this page soon.