Lake Sammamish State Park

A 531-acre state park eight miles east of Seattle with 1.5 miles of flat, gently winding trails. The lake is seven miles long, 1.5 miles wide, and has two beach from which packrafts and sea kayaks may be launched. You might spot salmon in the creek or great blue herons, which nest in the park. Idylwood Park and Sammamish Landing Park are two other parks on the lake from which packrafts and sea kayaks may be launched.

about the park & lake

This park offers many opportunities for day-time recreation:

  • Two lakefront beaches for swimmers, kayakers, and stand-up paddlers.
  • Picnic and day-use facilities.
  • Watercraft launch areas.
  • ADA-compliant hiking trail.
  • Playground.
  • Baseball/softball fields.

LAUNCH POINTS

  • Tibbetts Beach at the south end of the lake in the state park accessed from NW Sammamish Rd in North Issaquah.
  • Sunset Beach at the south end of the lake in the state park accessed from NW Sammamish Rd in North Issaquah.
  • Idylwood Park at the north end of the lake off West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, south of Redmond
  • Sammamish Landing at the north end of the lake off East Lake Sammamish Pkwy, south of Redmond.

Information for Leaders

scheduling

  • This route allows multiple bookings. Please check scheduled trips listed below in the "Activities" tab to see if there is another group already booked on the same day. Leaders are expected to contact the leader(s) of existing trips to ensure there are no concerns or conflicts, according to The Mountaineers Outdoor Ethics Policy. Please review our Group Size & Multiple Bookings page for guidance.
  • If you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to the recommended party size. The maximum party size is for use by course field trips only, and includes both students and instructors. Group size maximums do not reflect how course field trips are run (in smaller groups of students and instructors), but allow for course leaders to register the course in our system.
  • If you are scheduling a course field trip with more than 50 total people (including both participants and leaders/instructors), please contact staff at info@mountaineers.org so we can reach out to State Parks staff to notify them (at least a few weeks ahead of your field trip).

permits

  • The Mountaineers has a commercial use permit with Washington State Parks for all free and fee-based outings at state parks. Leaders should carry a print or digital copy of our  commercial use permit to show rangers they may encounter.
  • Suitable Activities: Packrafting, Sea Kayaking, Urban Adventure
  • Seasons: Year-round
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Length: 9.0 nm
Map
Activities

Upcoming Activities

Basic Sea Kayaking Open Water Practice - Lake Sammamish State Park

Sea Kayaking Field trip: Basic Sea Kayaking Course
Basic Sea Kayaking Open Water Practice for current students of 2023 Everett Sea Kayak Basic
Sat, Apr 29, 2023
No Prerequisites
0 participants 1 instructor
Registration closed Mar 15
Everett Branch

Mentor Group Practice Camp - Lake Sammamish State Park

Backpacking Field trip: Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) Course
This practice camp for Becca and Jason's mentor group at Lake Sammamish State Park. This
Sun, May 7, 2023
No Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
10 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens Apr 3; Instructor registration open now
Foothills Branch

Seattle Lake Instruction Session - Lake Sammamish State Park

Sea Kayaking Field trip: Basic Sea Kayaking Course
Seattle two day on water lake session for students of the basic sea kayak course
Sat, May 20, 2023 - Sun, May 21, 2023
No Prerequisites
3 participants 5 instructors
Registration closes May 18
Seattle Branch

Field Trip 2 - Seattle Naturalists Intro Natural World Course - Lake Sammamish State Park

Naturalist Field trip: Introduction to the Natural World Course
Let's explore Lake Sammamish State Park to see what bird species and wildlife we can
Wed, May 31, 2023
No Prerequisites
6 participants 0 instructors
Registration opens May 5; Instructor registration open now
Seattle Branch
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Lake Sammamish
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