Grab your beach towel, bucket, floaty toy and sunscreen and head for one of Bellevue’s beautiful beach parks on the shores of Lake Washington. The beaches are free and many of them are staffed by lifeguards on Summer afternoons. In addition to swim docks and sandy beaches, many of the parks also include play areas and picnic tables. See you at the lake!


1. Chesterfield Beach Park

 

SE 25th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Chesterfield Beach Park

Located slightly north of Beaux Arts Village on the shores of Lake Washington, Chesterfield Beach is a small public park (0.6 acres) at the end of a neighborhood street. Originally only a small ferry and fishing dock, the area is now been a popular recreation spot featuring a designated swim area with seasonal lifeguarding service as well as a picnic area. Although it may be small, the park boasts beautiful views and a quick, serene getaway from the suburbs surrounding it.


2. Chism Beach Park

 

9600 SE 11th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

Chism Beach Park

This beautifully landscaped 18-acre beach park is the perfect location to hold a family or group gathering, take in the natural scenery of the Pacific Northwest, or simply cool off during the summer months. With a sandy waterfront on the shores of Lake Washington and a designated swim area, the park is just begging for visitors to come to take a dip on a hot summer day. The park offers a picturesque view of the Seattle skyline across the lake, making it an ideal location to watch the sunset. Additionally, the park has a playground area, a fishing dock, and non-motorized watercraft can be launched and landed here during the non-swimming season. The park is a fun outdoor location for group events with two large grassy picnic areas available for rent.


3. Clyde Beach Park

 

2 92nd Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Clyde Beach Park

This beautifully landscaped 18-acre beach park is the perfect location to hold a family or group gathering, take in the natural scenery of the Pacific Northwest, or simply cool off during the summer months. With a sandy waterfront on the shores of Lake Washington and a designated swim area, the park is just begging for visitors to come to take a dip on a hot summer day. The park offers a picturesque view of the Seattle skyline across the lake, making it an ideal location to watch the sunset. Additionally, the park has a playground area, a fishing dock, and non-motorized watercraft can be launched and landed here during the non-swimming season. The park is a fun outdoor location for group events with two large grassy picnic areas available for rent.


4. Enatai Beach Park

 

3519 108th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Clyde Beach Park

This 3-acre beach park, located partially under the I-90 bridge on Lake Washington, is an excellent location to get out on the water. Enatai’s boathouse offers seasonal canoe, kayak, and stand up paddleboard rentals. Canoe outings from Enatai allow visitors to view waterfront parks and homes, regional hills, and Mount Rainier while paddling around the lake. Adventurers may choose to explore wildlife by heading east to the Mercer Slough Nature Park canal. Seasonal guided canoe tours of the slough are also available from Enatai. Additionally, visitors can launch their own non-motorized watercraft year-round in a designated area at the park.

The park also has a fishing dock, play area, a small sandy beach, and a designated swim area with seasonal lifeguards on-duty. There are plenty of picnicking spaces at the park including a spacious patio overlooking the lake, a large grassy area, and the beach.


5. Meydenbauer Beach Park

 

419 98th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Meydenbauer Beach Park

Once the landing site for passenger ferries that ran between Seattle and Bellevue from the 1890s until 1921, the 2.5-acre park now offers plenty of space for recreational activities. A hidden local gem, Meydenbauer Beach Park is located near downtown Bellevue on the shores of Meydenbauer Bay on Lake Washington. Visitors must walk down a wooded path to access the beach from the parking lot, as the beach park is tucked away in a ravine-like setting.

The park makes a great place for a family outing with a playground area for the little ones to burn off some energy and large grassy areas to throw down a blanket for a picnic by the water. During the summer months, visitors enjoy playing volleyball on the sandy beach or going for a dip in the swimming area (lifeguards on duty during the summer). The park also has a fishing dock and spectacular sunset views.

Note: While still under construction until the end of 2018, the City of Bellevue’s 2-part development phase will include reconnecting downtown Bellevue with the Meydenbauer Bay waterfront and park, which would increase public access to this historic site.


6. Newcastle Beach Park

 

4400 Lake Washington Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Newcastle Beach Park

Located on the shores of Lake Washington, Newcastle Beach Park is Bellevue’s largest beach park. The park is home to numerous recreational activities fit for any family outing. Plan an event in the large flat open spaces, sunbathe on the sandy beaches, swim out to the floating swimmer’s dock, wander along the 3/4 mile nature trail loop, and much more.

The three picnic areas (one of which includes a shelter and BBQ) and the colorful children’s play areas make the park a popular party and family destination. The 300-foot wooden dock allows for enjoyable fishing and there is also a designated area for non-motorized watercraft launching.


Click here for more information on Bellevue’s outdoor recreational activities and natural attractions just waiting to be explored!

Photos courtesy of City of Bellevue, Parks & Community ServicesMerrill ImagesBrian Casey.