Complete information for Lake Sammamish

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

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.

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 $2.39 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 • 2 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

Events
Date/time	Event description	State Park
May 11 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.	Northwest Paddling Festival: The 11th Annual Northwest Paddling Festival returns to Lake Sammamish State Park for a day of racing, vendors and discovery. It’s THE event for kayakers, canoers, stand-up paddleboarders and other paddlesport enthusiasts. Demo boats, take a first time SUP’in class, peruse vendor booths, learn how to setup a low impact campsite with the Washington Water Trails Association, find out if you’re the fastest sea kayak packer and much more. A $5 is required for those demoing gear and boats. For more information, visit www.northwestpaddlingfestival.com.	Lake Sammamish, sunset beach (425) 455-7010
June 2 9:15 a.m.	Lake Sammamish Race: This rowing race begin and ends on Sunset Beach at Lake Sammamish State Park. Take the short course, six-mile challenge or the long course 13.3-mile option. Registration and fee required for participation. Presented by Sound Rowers. For more information, visit www.soundrowers.org/LakeSammamish.aspx.	Lake Sammamish (425) 455-7010

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 in additon a Discover Pass is still required

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 • 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 • Alder • Birch • Cherry • Maple • Foxglove • Rhododendron • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens

Park photo gallery

We'll be adding photos to this page soon.