Lake Sammamish State Park, a Washington State Park located near Bellevue, Bothell and Duvall

LAKE SAMMAMISH STATE PARK

LAKE SAMMAMISH STATE PARK
2000 NW Sammamish State Park
Issaquah, Washington 98027

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 Indian 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. 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.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.

Nature of the Area

Wildlife Mammals Birds Fish & Sea Life? Chipmunks? Coyotes? Deer or Elk? 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? Nobel Fir? Alder? Birch? Cherry? Maple? Daisy? Foxglove? Rhododendron? Berries? Ferns? Moss or Lichens? Poison Ivy

History of the Area

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."

Park Store

Services/Supplies Available in the park Available in the area? Boat rentals? Pay phone? Auto repair? Camping? Fishing/hunting? Gasoline? Gifts? Golf? Groceries? Hardware? Marine supplies? Overnight Accommodations? Pay phone? Postal service? Propane? Recreational equipment? White gas? Wood? Swimming

Kayak rental is available in the summer. Most other services are available near the park.

Camping

The park has the Hans Jensen youth group camping area. It accommodates up to 100 people and up to 40 cars. There are 36 picnic tables, 12 stoves, a covered picnic shelter and four vault toilets. To reserve call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. The fee is per person and a non-refundable reservation fee applies.

Boating

There are nine boat-launch ramps near the Hans Jensen area, and the park provides 40 feet of dock. There are two 60 feet by 4 feet and four 40 feet by 4 feet finger docks spaced among nine twelve feet by 30 feet launch ramps. There is one restroom and parking for 250 car/boat-trailer combinations.

A daily watercraft launching permit and a trailer dumping permit is available at the park.Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.

Location

Lake Sammamish State Park is located near Bellevue, Bothell and Duvall

Nearby Parks

Squak Mountain State Park

Tiger Mountain State Forest

Bridle Trails State Park

Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park

Saint Edward State Park

Kanaskat-Palmer State Park

Iron Horse State Park

Saltwater State Park

Day Use Area

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 several sinks, a central fireplace and a volleyball area. 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 calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. The park also offers one sheltered and 475 unsheltered picnic tables, plus 80 barbecue grills on stands.

Area Attractions

Activities Trails Water Activities Other? 1.5 mi. Hiking Trails? 1.5 mi. Bike Trails? Boating (freshwater)? Boating (freshwater, non-motorized)? 9 boat ramps (freshwater)? 40 feet of dock (freshwater)? Fishing (freshwater)? Personal Watercraft (freshwater)? Swimming (freshwater)? Water Skiing (freshwater)? Bird Watching? 5 Horseshoe pits? Interpretive Activities? 3 Softball Fields? 9 Soccer 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 rental is 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, a concession stand and two "big toy" children's play areas. There are three baseball fields and nine soccer fields managed by local clubs.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

April 15 liking the improvements!

We are excited for the new bathhouse to open in time for summer 2015. Then comes new sand, and we hear that a new HUGE destination playground is coming.And lots of cool events! Learn more at Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park website, or find them on Facebook.

September 3 Ruined for me by DKM

I could never visit this park as I would always associate this place with that horrible July day 40 years ago. A bright sunshine filled day turned into one of the cloudiest ever. Janice Ott and Denise Naslund you will never be forgotten. What would your lives have turned out to be. Something only God knows. The other lucky girls form that fateful day. I hope you found peace and happiness. Those of us old enough to remember know what I am talking about. To those younger please enjoy the park but always be careful as you would any place.