(Last Updated On: March 6, 2023)

aerial photograph of Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Park lies along the south end of Lake Sammamish surrounded by woodlands and wetlands only 15 miles east of Seattle. This gorgeous waterfront park features two beaches, a salmon creek, picnic areas, a youth group campground, a Great Blue Heron rookery and trails for hiking, mountain biking, and paddling.

Guests enjoy swimming, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, and more in this peaceful lakeside Washington state park.

Activities

Visiting Seattle? Be sure to schedule a visit to Lake Sammamish State Park. Here you will discover everything you need to create a perfect summer day: swimming and paddling on Lake Sammamish, fishing for salmon in Issaquah Creek, bird watching along the nature trails, and enjoying a relaxing lunch in one of the scenic picnic areas.

The scattered picnic areas have pavilions, tables, grills, and restrooms. And are also near volleyball courts, large playing fields for baseball or softball, and big toy children’s play areas. Pizza, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, hot dogs, soda, snacks and made-to-order espresso and Italian sodas are available at the Sunset Beach Cafe.

After your exciting day you can head over to camp at nearby Saltwater State Park or Dash Point State Park.

Here are some of the activities that you can do during your visit to Lake Sammamish State Park:

Boating at Lake Sammamish State Park

Spend an enjoyable day out on Lake Sammamish on kayak, canoe, paddle board, or waterskis. Bring your own boat or rent one here. During the summer kayak and stand up paddle board rentals are available at Tibbetts Beach through Issaquah Paddle Sports.

The parkโ€™s watercraft launch area provides the only public boating access to Lake Sammamish with 9 boat launches and 5 docks. They also provide a large parking lot with space for trailers.

Swimming at Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Park is the place to be during the summer. This picturesque park features 2 lakefront beaches and water warm enough to swim in. The Sunset Beach area has restrooms, changing rooms, outdoor showers, picnic areas, and concessions.

Hiking at Lake Sammamish State Park

Explore the one and half miles of multi-use trails that wind through the parkโ€™s surrounding forest, wetlands, and lakeside.

Here are a couple of the trails at Lake Sammamish State Park:

  • Issaquah Creek Trail – This easy 1.8 mile trail winds through the forest near the salmon creek.
  • Tibbetts Creek Trail – An easy ยฝ mile trail follows Tibbetts Creek through the woodlands and out to Tibbetts Beach.

Biking at Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Parkโ€™s trails are open to mountain bikes as well as pedestrians. These trails are gravel or paved and wind throughout the surrounding woodlands and along the creek and lake.

Guests interested in a longer bike ride should check out the East Lake Sammamish Trail, a 44-mile long trail that extends from Seattle to the Cascade Foothills.

Fishing at Lake Sammamish State Park

Remember to pack your angling gear and pick up a Washington fishing license.

You may catch salmon, Wild Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Brown Bullhead, Smallmouth and LargemouthBass, and Yellow Perch during your visit to Lake Sammamish State Park. Lake Sammamish is considered one of the best spots to catch smallmouth bass in Western Washington.

Birding at Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Parkโ€™s diverse ecosystems including deciduous forest and wetland vegetation help support a variety of bird habitats such as a large Great Blue Heron rookery. Other birds you may observe here are Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Common Mergansers, Pileated Woodpeckers, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Canada Geese, Gadwalls, Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks, Cedar Waxwings, and various Gulls.

For guests interested in learning more, the Eastside Audubon Society provides guided nature walks each month.

Nature and Wildlife at Lake Sammamish State Park

This picturesque area was once a popular fishing area for several native American tribes and is still considered a sacred place of gathering for many. During the early 1800s the surrounding area was turned into farmland. Today it maintains a rustic quality and provides natural habitats for various species. During your visit to this peaceful area you will have the opportunity to see birds, fish, squirrels, deer, beavers, black bears, coyotes, and bobcats.

Pets

Pets are allowed at Lake Sammamish State Park as long as they are kept an eye on and leashed. Pets are not permitted in the beach area. Please clean up after your pet.

Camping

Lake Sammamish State Park does not provide general overnight accommodations for guests. Instead they offer a youth group camping area for organized groups of up to 200 people. This area, the Hans Jensen camping area, has a covered picnic shelter, 36 picnic tables, 12 stoves, and 3 vault toilets.

Camping Near Lake Sammamish State Park

Interested in camping in the area? Here are 2 nearby state parks with large family campgrounds:

Saltwater State Park, located at 25205 8th Place S. in Des Moines, has 35 standard campsites for tents, trailers, or RVs up to 50 feet long. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring and is located near restrooms and showers. A dump station is also available.

Dash Point State Park lies along the Puget Sound at 5700 S.W. Dash Point Road in nearby Federal Way. Their campground features 114 standard campsites, 27 utility sites, a group camping area, and rustic cabins.

Each of the cabins have a queen-sized bed, a bunk bed, and a table and chairs. Cabins are heated but do not have water or restrooms. Pets are allowed in certain cabins.

All campsites and cabins are located near restrooms and showers. A dump station is also located within the campground area.

Park Location

Lake Sammamish State Park
2182 NW Sammamish Rd
Issaquah, WA 98027
Phone: 425.455.7010

Park Website
Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Lake Sammamish State Park: