LAKE SAMMAMISH STATE PARK
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.
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
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."
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.
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.
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.