Lake Sammamish State Park

Phone: (425) 455-7010
Fax: (425) 453-6423
City: Issaquah
Address:
20606 Se 56th St.,
Issaquah, WA

Located on the edge of the city of Issaquah, Wash.
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.

For more up to date information, visit the Lake Sammamish page on the state parks web site.
 

Park Overview

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.


Planning project at Lake Sammamish State Park

Marine Park: No

Park Hours

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


Significant History

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."

Major Landmarks

In recent times, coal was mined in the area and shipped by rail to Seattle.

Directions provided by the state parks department are given below the map, or you can try to have google create the directions from the coordinates we have on file.

Directions

From I-90:
Drive east to exit #15, and follow the signs.
MammalsBirdsFish & Sea LifePlantlife
Chipmunks
Coyotes
Deer/Elk
Rabbits
Raccoons
Squirrels
Crows/Ravens
Dove/Pigeon
Ducks
Geese
Gulls
Hawks
Herons
Jays
Owls
Woodpeckers
Bass
Salmon
Trout
Cedar
Douglas Fir
Hemlocks
Nobel Fir
Alders
Birch Trees
Cherry Trees
Maple Trees
Daisies
Foxgloves
Rhododendron
Berries
Ferns
Moss or Lichens
Poison Ivy
GeneralTrailsFreshwater ActivitiesSaltwater Activities
Swimming
Bird Watching
Wildlife Viewing
Interpretive
9 Soccer Fields
3 Softball Fields
5 Volleyball Fields
5 Horseshoe Pits
1.5 mi. of Biking Trailer
1.5 mi. of Hiking Trails
Boating - Nonmotorized
Fishing
Personal Watercraft
WaterSkiing
9 Boat Ramps
40 ft. of Dock
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.

Picnic Notes

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 horseshoe and 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.

Group 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 $2 per person and a $7 non-refundable reservation fee.

Boating/Water Notes

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 permit is available for watercraft launching and trailer dumping at the park for $5.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Park ServicesArea Services
Boat Rentals
Pay Phone
Auto Repair
Boating
Camping Area
Fishing and Hunting Supplies
Gasolene
Gifts
Golfing
Groceries
Hardware
Marine Supply
Overnight Accomodations
Pay Phones
US Mail
Propane
Recreational Equipment
White Gas
Wood

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