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Lake Sammamish State Park
Dreaming of a beach day not far from Seattle? Head to Lake Sammamish State Park! Boasting two lakefront beaches and trails through deciduous forest and wetlands, this park provides a family outdoor experience just off the urban grid. You may even get to share space with one of the great blue herons or bald eagles that nest in the park.
Love water sports but don't have a kayak or board? No problem! Rentals are available at Tibbetts Beach. Rather keep your feet or wheels on the ground? Bring bikes, walking poles, binoculars and bird books, or bring your GPS unit for geocaching, and explore the light-dappled trails.
Would the kids prefer unstructured time? Let them loose in the brand-new, state-of-the-art playground, while you watch from the sidelines and rest.
In addition to free-form fun, Lake Sammamish plays host to community events year round. They include nature, birding and dog walks; stewardship projects; paddling and cycling events; kids' obstacle courses; summer concerts; holiday boat parades; and the annual summer Parkadilly Fair.
Whether you live in the Emerald City or have come to the area for a visit, Lake Sammamish is the place to picnic, play and make memories.
Park features
Lake Sammamish State Park is a 531-acre, day-use park with 6,858 feet of waterfront on Lake Sammamish. The area around the lake carries cultural significance as a gathering place for at least four Native American tribes.
Although recreation is bound to keep the whole family busy, a salmon-bearing creek and a great-blue-heron rookery also provide birding and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Automated pay station: This park is equipped with an automated pay station for visitors to purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass.
Trailer dump station: Lake Sammamish State Park offers a trailer dump for the public. Visitors are not required to have a Discover Pass when only using the dump station. Trailer dump fees can be paid at the dump station using cash/check, or inside the park office using a credit card.
Please note: Lake Sammamish State Park staff remind visitors that dogs are welcome in state parks if they are on leash and under physical control at all times. Dogs are not permitted on designated swim beaches. Staff want to provide safety, comfort and enjoyment for all visitors and ensure the protection of wildlife and natural resources in the park. Please keep your dog on leash, and pick up after your pet.
ADA amenities/facilities
- Restroom
- Hiking trail
- Playground
Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities.
Picnic & day-use facilities
The Kitchen Shelter is reservable and has a covered area with a center counter with electrical outlets. There is a large grassy area and a sandy volleyball court. The shelter accommodates groups up to 400 people.
The Creek Shelter is reservable and has a small covered area with a counter with electrical outlets, 10 picnic tables inside, many tables outside and a sandy volleyball court. The shelter accommodates groups of up to 200 people.
The Rotunda Shelter is reservable and is a unique hexagonal shaped building with a central fireplace, six picnic tables inside, 12 tables outside and a sandy volleyball court. The shelter accommodates groups of up to 100 people.
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.
Please note: Groups having special activities other than simple gatherings (for example using a bouncy house or bringing in outside vendors) MUST contact the park at (425) 649-4275 regarding a special activity permit. Failure to do so can result in the cancellation of the event.
Activities
Trails
- 1.5 miles of biking trails
- 1.5 miles of hiking trails
Water activities & features
- Boating
- Fishing (freshwater)
- Kayak and paddleboard rentals
- Personal watercraft use
- Swimming
- Watercraft launches (9)
- Waterskiing
- Baseball/ softball fields (2)
- Wildlife viewing
- Bird watching
Concessions
- New in 2021! Lake Sammamish welcomes the Sunset Beach Cafe! Located at Sunset Beach, they offer a great selection of food and snacks including Zeek's Pizza, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, hot dogs, soda, snacks and made to order espresso and Italian sodas. The Sunset Beach Cafe is open weekends in May and September and daily from mid-June through Labor Day. You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook.
- Issaquah Paddle Sports offers kayak, SUP, and pedal boat rentals at the Tibbets Beach swim area. They are open weekends only in May and September and Daily from mid June through Labor Day. Hours are noon-6 and weather dependent. For additional information and prices, visit them online.
- The park offers paved walking paths, compacted dirt and gravel multi-use bicycle/hiking trails.
- Kayak and stand up paddleboard rentals are available in the summer through Issaquah Paddle Sports.
- There are sandy volleyball courts, but many people place volleyball nets anywhere on the beach.
- There is a bathhouse with dressing rooms and three big toy children's play areas.
- 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 and Wildlife.
- Printable park brochure (PDF).
Boating features
Located in King County on Lake Sammamish, the park offers nine watercraft launches located off E. Lake Sammamish Parkway SE. There are two 60-by-4-feet and four 40-by-4-feet finger docks spaced among nine 12-by-30-feet launch ramps. There is one restroom and parking for 250 car / boat-trailer combinations. There are no garbage facilities available; pack it in, pack it out.
Launching a boat at a state park requires one of the following:
- An annual launch permit (Natural Investment Permit; or
- An annual Discover Pass and a daily launch permit; or
- A one-day Discover Pass and a daily launch permit. Annual permits may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, region offices, online, and at the main park office when staff is available.
Boat launch
Latitude: 47º 33' 36" N (47.56)
Longitude: 122º 3' 36.35" W (-122.0601)
Campsite information
The park has no individual 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 three vault toilets.
Reservations & fees
Group camping reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or 888-226-7688.
Services & supplies
Kayak and SU.P.rental is available in the summer from Issaquah Paddle Sports. Please call 425-891-5039 with questions.
Historical information
Lake Sammamish is part of the accustomed fishing area of several Native American tribes.
When European settlers began arriving in the newly formed town of Issaquah in the mid-to-late 1800s, the area along the lake's southern shoreline that now makes up Sammamish State Park was quickly developed for farming. The Anderson farm, established in the late 1870s, was situated north of the small soccer fields at the park's eastern edge. John and Addie Anderson ran a successful dairy farm on 210 acres for many years before passing the property on to their children. At one point their farm was responsible for about a third of the milk produced in Squak Valley.
Another dairy farm built by Albert Giese in 1898 was located at the site of the park's boat launch and group camp to the east of East Lake Sammamish Parkway. The farm was sold in 1952 to Hans Jensen, who willed it to the state five years later.
The first 40 acres of the park were purchased by the State of Washington in 1950 from John and Addie Anderson's descendants. The remaining 170 acres of the former Anderson farm were purchased the following year. The Gunderson farm was soon purchased to provide additional acreage and an access road.
On July 27, 1952, the park was officially opened to the public. The park quickly became popular with residents of Issaquah and the surrounding community as a place to swim and have group picnics.