Montage of Washington State Park scenes
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Complete information for Saint Edward

Photo of Saint Edward State Park

Park overview:

Saint Edward State Park is a 316-acre day-use park with 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline on Lake Washington. Once a Catholic seminary, the park's rich history reflects in its grounds and architecture. Walks along the undeveloped lakeshore are peaceful and give the visitor many opportunities for nature study.

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:

The park is open year round for day use only.

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.

Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks


Current alerts:

The Carole Ann Wald Memorial Pool is closed indefinitely.


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.


Discover Pass logo, red box wrapped like a gift and text, Give the Gift of the Great Outdoors.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 provides two rentable day-use heritage places: the Grotto and the Grand Dining Hall.

The Grotto is a secluded garden alcove, that lends itself well to intimate ceremonies and services. Capacity is 120 people. Water and electricity are not available at the site. Tables, chairs, outdoor heaters, 20' x 20' and 10' x 20' canopies are available to rent for an additional fee.

The Grand Dining Hall, within the first floor of the Seminary Building, is an ideal setting for special events and conferences of up to 50 people. Facilities include an expansive dance floor. Tables and chairs rent for an additional fee.

Rates for both heritage places vary with size of the group. For information or reservations, call (425) 823-2992.


Simple locator map of Saint Edward State Park

Driving Directions

Located at the north end of Lake Washington in Kenmore, Wash. in King County.


Park address:
14445 Juanita Drive NE
Kenmore, WA 98028

From I-405 northbound:
Take exit #20-A (116th St. N.E.) and turn west (left). Travel 4.5 miles. (At 98th Ave., the road name changes to Juanita Dr.) Park entrance is on left.

From I-405 southbound:
Exit at Hwy. 522 (exit #23-B). Drive through Bothell to Kenmore. Turn left at 68th Ave. (68th turns into Juanita Dr.) Park is 1.5 miles on the right.

From I-5:
Take exit #175 (145th St.) and travel east to Bothell Way. Turn left. Travel north to 68th Ave. in Kenmore. (68th turns into Juanita Dr). Park is 1.5 miles on the right.

Park Maps

Thumbnail map of Saint Edward State Park Saint Edward downloadable pdf map #1


List of all downloadable Washington State Park maps.



Park Features

Photo of Saint Edward State Park

The park offers many outdoor play amenities. The park hosts the last undeveloped waterfront along Lake Washington's shore. Bald eagles, otters and other animals may be viewed along the 3/4-mile natural portion of the perimeter.

The park has two sites suitable for weddings and other special events.












History

This site was once used by Native Americans while fishing the area.

In the late 1920s, the archbishop of Seattle donated the property to the Diocese of Seattle for use as a seminary by the Sulpician Order of Catholic Priests. In 1931, St. Edward Seminary was constructed. In the fall of 1977, because of declining enrollment and changes in the education of seminarians, the diocese sold 316 acres, including the seminary, to the state for use as a state park. In 1978, the property was dedicated and received its current name.



Interpretive opportunities

There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.

Services/Supplies

Available in the park      Available in the area
• Pay phone
• Auto repair
• Airport
• Boat rental
• Diesel
• Fishing/hunting
• Gasoline
• Gifts
• Golf
• Groceries
• Hardware
• Hospital
• Marine supplies
• Overnight Accommodations
• Pay phone
• Postal service
• Propane
• Recreational equipment
• White gas
• Wood
• Swimming


There are snack and drink vending machines located at the pool and gymnasium. Supplies available for rent through the park include 20' x 20' and 10' x 20' canopies, chairs, folding tables and outdoor heaters.


Activities

TrailsWater ActivitiesOther
Boating (freshwater)
Boating (freshwater, non-motorized)
• Fishing (freshwater)
• Personal Watercraft (freshwater)
• Swimming (freshwater)
• Water Skiing (freshwater)



A big toy playground is popular with kids. The playground was built by the community for the community and completely funded by donations from the community.

Picnicking, hiking, soccer, mountain biking, fishing, bicycling, swimming, bird watching, softball and horse trails also are in the Holmes Point area.

Access to waterfront from the shore is by trail only. There is no vehicle access to the beach, which is undeveloped and unguarded.

There are many trails open to mountain bike and is a very popular activity within Saint Edward State Park. Remember several of the trails are open to hiking only and bikes are strictly prohibited on these trails. Check with the park office or kiosk for trail maps and information.

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/timeEvent descriptionState Park
May 18 Kids to Parks Day: Celebrate the 100th year of Washington State Parks by playing outside! Explore forested trails, wide open fields, beautiful Lake Washington and a one-of-a-kind playground. Take the family for a day full of fun. Presented in partnership with the City of Kenmore and the Friends of Saint Edward State Park.

Please note: The RAD Run Relay Race also is scheduled at Saint Edward State Park on May 18. See separate event listing for more information.

Saint Edward
(425) 823-2992
May 18
9 a.m. - noon
RAD Run Relay Race: Get ready to run all day during the run relay race at Saint Edward State Park. The team trail running event along the western shore of Lake Washington is open to runners of all levels. Take the challenge and enjoy friendly competition. Teams must include two runners and may have up to five. Registration and fee required for participation. For course information or to register, visit www.runallday.org.

Please note: Kids to Parks Day also is scheduled at Saint Edward State Park on May 18. See separate event listing for more information.

Saint Edward
(425) 823-2992
June 30
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Skandia Midsommerfest: Midsommarfest, as presented by Skandia Folkdance Society, is a traditional Swedish celebration of the summer solstice. Recreated as authentically as possible, the event features the raising of a garlanded Midsommar pole, a serpentine dance around the pole and hundreds of costumed musicians and dancers. See a showcase of music dance by the Northwest’s premier Nordic folk artists. The event includes Hemslöjdsmarknad, an avenue of traditional crafts where carefully selected artists demonstrate their skills and sell wares. Traditional food and other Scandinavian delicacies are available for purchase. For more information, visit www.skandia-folkdance.org/midsommarfest.html.

Saint Edward
(425) 823-2992
Thursdays
July 11, 18 and 25
Aug. 1, 8, and 15
City of Kenmore Summer Concert Series: The City of Kenmore sounds off its 11th annual concert series for six consecutive Thursday evenings in July and Aug. beginning July 11 at Saint Edward State Park. Relax and enjoy a casual evening amidst the park’s natural beauty. Visitors are invited to take along blankets, lawn chairs and picnic dinners to share a special summer night under the open sky. Each night features different music from around the globe. For more information, visit www.kenmorewa.gov.

Saint Edward
(425) 823-2992
Thursdays
Aug. 1, 8 and 15
City of Kenmore Summer Concert Series: The City of Kenmore sounds off its 11th annual concert series for six consecutive Thursday evenings in July and Aug. beginning July 11 at Saint Edward State Park. Relax and enjoy a casual evening amidst the park’s natural beauty. Visitors are invited to take along blankets, lawn chairs and picnic dinners to share a special summer night under the open sky. Each night features different music from around the globe. For more information, visit www.kenmorewa.gov.

Saint Edward
(425) 823-2992
Full list of events at Washington State Parks


Boating Features

Boats may be launched at the Department of Fish and Wildlife ramp in Kenmore, which is just north of Saint Edward State Park.


Picnic and Day-use Facilities

Saint Edward State Park is extremely popular for special events, weddings and family picnics. To ensure your family/group can have your event/picnic on the date you select, reservations are strongly recommended. Regardless of the size of your group, a Special Activity Recreation Permit may be required pursuant to WAC 352-32-047. To make a reservation or to obtain a Special Activity Recreation Permit for your event, please call the park manager at (425) 823-2992. Even though the park offers first come, first served picnic tables, if the park has reached its capacity level with reservations, first come, first served tables will not be available. Also, because of limited parking and to help save resources, visitors are strongly encouraged to car/vanpool.

The park offers five unsheltered picnic areas for rental to groups. Each site accommodates at least 150 people with picnic tables and stand-up style grills. The east and west picnic sites have a ball field with their areas. The north picnic area has an open play field and horseshoe pits. The south picnic site has a beach-style volleyball area with a net and is very close to the playground. There are 20' x 20' and 10' X 20' canopies, tables, chairs and portable heater rentals available for outdoor picnics. Extra parking may be set up for events in advance, call the park manager for details at (425) 823-2992.

Wildlife

MammalsBirdsFish & Sea Life
• Chipmunks
• Coyotes
• Deer or Elk
• Foxes
• Muskrats
• Otters
• Raccoons
• Squirrels
• Crows or Ravens
• Doves or Pigeons
• Ducks
• Eagles
• Geese
• Gulls
• Hawks
• Herons
• Hummingbirds
• Jays
• Owls
• Woodpeckers
• Wrens
• Bass
• Bullhead
• Salmon
• Trout


Environmental Features

Physical Features Plant Life 
 • Cedar
• Douglas Fir
• Hemlock
• Yew
• Alder
• Apple
• Ash
• Birch
• Maple
• Foxglove
• Rhododendron
• Rose
• Berries
• Ferns
• Moss or Lichens
• Thistle




Park photo gallery

People walking across lawn towards Historic Catholic seminary building.      Child holding a bat on lawn with elaborate playground in the background.

Exterior of historic Catholic seminary building.

Close up of arches and architecture of historic Catholic seminary building.

Close up of arch over doorway leading into historic Catholic seminary building.

Arched ceiling of hallway in Catholic seminary building.

Peole in large well-lit room with tables and chandeliers.

Auditorium for basketball with stage at far end.

People enjoying the playground area.

Children and parents playing in sandbox.

Trail leading off into brightly lit woods.

Trail leading off into dark, misty woods.

Stairs and stonework along trail in woods.

Stonework grotto.