When the weather gets hot, we know you want to stay cool! Whether you want to get your toes wet and fill your sand pail, the plunge in an indoor pool, or run through sprayers, we've got a full list of great ways to cool off!
LOCAL BEACHES
Idylwood Park (Redmond) is located on the shores of West Lake Sammamish with a swimming beach, snack shack, bathhouses, and restrooms...plus a big playground and large fields for playing! Lifeguards are on duty in the summer. Get there early because parking is scarce.
Play by the river at the confluence of the Tolt and Snoqualmie rivers in Carnation. Park at Tolt McDonald campground and walk the short paved trail past the bathrooms. The trail turns to gravel and in less than 50 yards, then take one of the spur trails on your right to the Snoqualmie River. The north half of the beach is sandy and perfect for wading, but there is not a lot of shade. Or, park in the parking lot off Hwy 203 just north of Tolt Hill Road and find a spot to play in the rocky Tolt River. It’s popular to create your own mini wading pool with the river rocks!
Cottage Lake (Woodinville) offers a variety of recreational activities. Not only does this park have opportunities for swimming, you can go boating, fishing, play on the playground, picnic or bring bikes to pedal around the system of trails.
Find river access to the Skykomish River from Lewis St. Park or Al Borlin Park in Monroe. Follow the network of trails through Al Borlin Park to the river, or use the convenient parking lot at Lewis St. Park. A pedestrian bridge connects the two parks near the southwest corner of Al Borlin Park, leading to a grassy picnic area. Restrooms and a small playground are also available at Lewis St. Park.
Lake Tye (Monroe) has a little bit of everything, so if the kids tire playing on the lakefront beach, there’s a skate park, playground, trails around the lake, ball fields, as well as restrooms, picnic tables and a concession stand.
Flowing Lake (north of Monroe/Snohomish area) is a wonderful destination offering a designated swim area, playground, picnic areas, and restrooms with an outdoor shower (perfect for cleaning off before heading back to the car!). Note that a day use fee is collected at this park and can be purchased at the entrance.
Lake Roesiger Park (north of Monroe/Snohomish area) is a quieter alternative to Flowing Lake as it has no motorized boat access. Enjoy swimming, a picnic and hiking the trails or playing in the large grassy field.
WORTH THE DRIVE BEACHES
Make a reservation and pack your sunscreen, beach toys, kites, lunches, and friends and head to Everett's Jetty Island. The trip starts off with a 3-minute boat ride to the 2 mile island. The best part is all the sand!
Lake Sammamish State Park (Issaquah) requires a Discovery Pass, but you can use the pass for access to all State Parks in Washington. The park has a snack shack for ice cream, kayak rentals and a playground. A new bathhouse is currently under construction, and there are plans for a new destination playground.Rattlesnake Lake (North Bend) is one of my favorite places to explore along the water's edge and throw rocks! You can also wade in or take a swim – kids don’t seem to mind the frigid water temps! Take a walk up to the Cedar River Watershed Education Center for more great kid-friendly fun while you’re there.
Vasa Park Resort (Bellevue near the South end of Lake Sammamish) charges admission ($4.50 for adults, $2.25 for children 6-14, 5 and under is free), but it's worth it when you factor in the swimming area with diving boards and waterslides, lifeguards on duty, great playground, and clean bathrooms!
LOCAL POOLS
Cottage Lake Pool (Woodinville) is operated by the Northshore YMCA and is open June 20th through Labor Day. The pool features outdoor swimming with a water slide. Check the schedule for recreation and family swim times.
Snohomish Aquatics Center features zero-depth entry, shallow water area with a toddler-approved play structure, warm-water pool, lazy river, spray-play area, enclosed waterslide, plus a surf-simulation machine! Arrive about 30 minutes before the start of open swim because the number of entries is limited.
WORTH THE DRIVE POOLS
The Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion houses an expansive indoor warm-water pool complete with a Lazy River with moving current, shallow-water Leisure Pool with beach-like entry and padded floor, plumbed-in spray toys, life jackets, water basketball hoops and a variety of floats and water toys.
Lynwood Recreation Center and Pool is very family-friendly with private family changing areas, and a fun pool with water slides, lazy river, water playground and family hot tub.
LOCAL SPRAY PARKS
Willis Tucker Spray Pad (Snohomish) Throw on a pair of shorts or swimsuit and join the kids dodging the soakers, cannons and much more. There are three reservable shelters adjacent to the spray feature, playground and sand box perfect for keeping an eye on the kids while they play.
Grasslawn Park (Redmond) has a small spray pad perfect for the under-5 set. There’s also plenty of grass, shade, and multiple play areas and structures to keep the whole family happy.
WORTH THE DRIVE SPRAY PARKS
The Water Playground at Forest Park (Everett) has 16 interactive water features and an area designed just for toddlers. The water playground is adjacent to a large grass area with a playground and picnic benches.
Crossroads Water Playground (Bellevue) features a variety of water themed features such as spitting frogs, spouting orcas and squirting clams. This is a popular attraction and parking can be difficult.
