LAKE SAMMAMISH STATE PARK

One of the most beautiful blackwater rivers in southwest
florida and designated as an excellent florida water

Table of Contents

Key Information About Lake Sammamish State Park:

Contact Info

(425) 649-4275

Location

2000 N.W. Sammamish Road Issaquah, WA 98027

Hours

Summer (6:30 a.m. - dusk) , Winter (6:30 a.m. - dusk)

About Lake Sammamish State Park:

Do you want to spend a day at a beach near Seattle? Make your way to Lake Sammamish State Park! This park offers a family outdoor experience just off the grid, with two lakefront beaches and trails through deciduous forest and wetlands. You might even get to share space with one of the park’s great blue herons or bald eagles.

Do you enjoy water sports but lack access to a kayak or a board? Not a problem! Tibbetts Beach has rentals available. Do you prefer to keep your feet or wheels on the ground? Bring your bikes, walking poles, binoculars, and bird books, or your GPS device for geocaching, and explore the light-dappled trails.

Would the children prefer free time? Allow them to run wild in the brand-new, cutting-edge playground while you relax on the sidelines.

In addition to free-form fun, Lake Sammamish hosts community events all year. Nature, birding, and dog walks are among them, as are stewardship projects, paddling and cycling events, obstacle courses for kids, summer concerts, holiday boat parades, and the annual Parkadilly Fair.

Whether you live in Seattle or are just passing through, Lake Sammamish is a great place to picnic, play, and make memories.

Lake Sammamish State Park Features:

Lake Sammamish State Park is a 531-acre day-use park on Lake Sammamish with 6,858 feet of waterfront. As a gathering place for at least four Native American tribes, the area around the lake has cultural significance.

Although recreation will keep the whole family busy, a salmon-bearing creek and a great-blue-heron rookery will also provide opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing.

Pay station that is automated:

This park has an automated pay station where visitors can purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass.

Please note:

Visitors to Lake Sammamish State Park are reminded that dogs are welcome in state parks if they are kept on a leash and under physical control at all times. On designated swim beaches, dogs are not permitted. Staff want to ensure the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all visitors while also protecting the park’s wildlife and natural resources. Please keep your dog on a leash and clean up after it.

AMENITIES/FACILITIES FOR ADA:

Hiking trail

Playground

Restroom

FACILITIES FOR PICNIC AND DAY USE:

The Kitchen Shelter has a covered area with a centre counter and electrical outlets that can be reserved. A large grassy area and a sandy volleyball court are available. The shelter can house groups of up to 400 people.

The Creek Shelter has a small covered area with a counter and electrical outlets, 10 picnic tables inside, many tables outside, and a sandy volleyball court. The shelter can house up to 200 people in groups.

The Rotunda Shelter is a unique hexagonal shaped building with a central fireplace, six picnic tables inside, 12 tables outside, and a sandy volleyball court that can be reserved. The shelter can house up to 100 people in groups.

All day-use facilities can be reserved online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. The park also has one sheltered picnic table and 475 unsheltered picnic tables, as well as 80 barbecue grills on stands.

Note:

Special activities other than simple gatherings (such as using a bouncy house or bringing in outside vendors) require a special activity permit, which can be obtained by calling the park at (425) 649-4275. Failure to do so may result in the event being cancelled.

Lake Sammamish State Park Boating:

The park, located in King County on Lake Sammamish, has nine watercraft launches off E. Lake Sammamish Parkway SE. There are two 60-by-4-foot finger docks and four 40-by-4-foot finger docks spaced between nine 12-by-30-foot launch ramps. There is one restroom and parking for 250 cars, boats, and trailers. There are no garbage cans; pack it in and pack it out.

A boat launch at a state park requires one of the following:

An annual launch permit (Natural Investment Permit) is required.

An annual Discover Pass and a daily launch permit are required.

A one-day Discover Pass and a daily launch permit are included. Annual permits are available for purchase at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, region offices, online, and at the main park office when staff is present.

Boating location:

Latitude: 47º 33′ 36″ N (47.56)

Longitude: 122º 3′ 36.35″ W (-122.0601)

Lake Sammamish State Park Camping:

Individual camping is not permitted in the park.

GROUP ACCOMMODATIONS:

The Hans Jensen youth group camping area is located in the park. It can hold up to 200 people and 40 cars. 36 picnic tables, 12 stoves, a covered picnic shelter, and three vault toilets are available.

RESERVATIONS & FEES:

Reservations for group camping can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or 888-226-7688.

SUPPLIES & SERVICES:

Issaquah Paddle Sports rents kayaks and SUPs during the summer. If you have any questions, please call 425-891-5039.

Lake Sammamish State Park In-Season Activities:

SWIMMING:

Lake Sammamish State Park features two beaches with enclosed swimming areas as well as a newly renovated Bath House. Sunset Beach was renovated in 2016; take a look at the newly contoured beach, the cool’buried’ bronze critters, and the ADA-accessible ramp. The playground and snack bar are conveniently located near the beaches.

PADDLING:

Do you enjoy water sports but lack access to a kayak or a board? Not a problem! Tibbetts Beach has rentals available. Issaquah Paddle Sports offers kayak and SUP rentals during the summer.

FISHING:

Lake Sammamish is the premier smallmouth bass lake in Western Washington. Fishing and shellfish harvesting in Washington state parks require a recreational licence. Visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for regulations, fishing season information, or to purchase a recreational licence. Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead Catfish, Black Crappie, Chinook Salmon, Kokanee, and Steelhead are all available.

BIRDWATCHING:

Visitors can enjoy the park’s deciduous forest and wetland vegetation, as well as a large great blue heron rookery. This urban park’s diverse ecosystems support a diverse range of birds and habitats. Crows, Pigeons, Waterfowl (Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal, Ruddy Duck, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Coots), Kinglets, Cedar Waxwings, various Sparrows, Geese, Gulls (Mew, Ring-billed, California, Herring, and Glaucous-winged), Bald Eagles, Hawk The Eastside Audubon Society leads monthly bird walks through the park.

Playground:

In 2016, the park’s all-access playground opened. Rubber surfacing makes it possible for everyone, from strollers to wheelchairs, to use it. The playground is suitable for children aged 2 to 12 and features a geodesic dome, a zip line, swings, slides, and a rotating net. The Eastside’s best playground!

Learning:

Junior Ranger programming is available on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Our rangers welcome children to meet them and learn about native animals, conservation, and the environment.

Lake Sammamish State Park Trails:

East Lake Sammamish Trail:

Try out this 16.3-kilometer point-to-point trail in Issaquah, Washington. It takes an average of 2 hours and 59 minutes to complete this route, which is generally considered easy. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and road biking, but you can still find some peace and quiet during the day. The trail is open all year and is a beautiful place to visit at any time. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.

Route length 16.3 km

Elevation gain 34 m

From one point to another

Issaquah Creek Trail at Lake Sammamish:

Try out this 2.9-kilometer out-and-back trail in Issaquah, Washington. It takes an average of 31 minutes to complete this route, which is generally regarded as easy. Because this is a popular spot for birding, hiking, and paddle sports, you’ll almost certainly run into other people while exploring. The trail is open all year and is a beautiful place to visit at any time. Dogs are welcome and can roam freely in some areas.

Route length 2.9 km

Elevation gain 4 m

Route type Out and back

Kayak on Lake Samammish:

Enjoy this 24.3-kilometer out-and-back trail near Issaquah, Washington. It takes an average of 6 hours and 5 minutes to complete this moderately difficult route. This is a popular trail for birding and paddle sports, but you can still find some peace and quiet during the day. This trail is best visited between April and October. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.

Route length 24.3 km

Elevation gain 0 m

Route type Out and back

History of Lake Sammamish State Park:

Lake Sammamish is a popular fishing spot for several Native American tribes.

When European settlers first arrived in the newly formed town of Issaquah in the mid-to-late 1800s, they quickly developed the area along the lake’s southern shoreline that is now Sammamish State Park for farming. The Anderson farm, which was established in the late 1870s, was located north of the park’s small soccer fields on its eastern edge. For many years, John and Addie Anderson ran a successful dairy farm on 210 acres before passing the property on to their children. At one point, their farm supplied roughly one-third of the milk produced in Squak Valley.

Another dairy farm built by Albert Giese in 1898 was located to the east of East Lake Sammamish Parkway, near the park’s boat launch and group camp. Hans Jensen bought the farm in 1952 and left it to the state five years later.

The State of Washington purchased the first 40 acres of the park from the descendants of John and Addie Anderson in 1950. The following year, the remaining 170 acres of the former Anderson farm were purchased. The Gunderson farm was quickly purchased to provide more land and an access road.

The park was officially opened to the public on July 27, 1952. The park quickly became popular among Issaquah and surrounding community residents as a place to swim and have group picnics.

Lake Sammamish State Park Photos:

Lake Sammamish State Park Maps:

2000 N.W. Sammamish Road Issaquah, WA 98027