Top 11 Lakes around Bellevue

For families, Lake Washington offers Newcastle Beach Park with a sandy swim area, a dock for non-motorized boating and fishing, a nature trail, and picnic areas. Lake Sammamish State Park on Lake Sammamish also features two swimming beaches, volleyball courts, and a large playground for children.

Both Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish are excellent for kayaking and paddleboarding. On Lake Washington, Meydenbauer Bay Park is a designated non-motorized watercraft launch site. Enatai Beach Park offers convenient canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals, allowing exploration of Mercer Slough Nature Park's water trails.

Bellevue's lakes offer diverse fishing. Lake Washington is known for black crappie, cutthroat trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and various salmon. Lake Sammamish provides brown bullhead, Chinook and Coho salmon, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. Phantom Lake also has brown bullhead, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. A Washington Fish & Game license is required.

Yes, there are several easy walking options. The East Lake Sammamish Trail follows the shore of Lake Sammamish, offering a paved, nearly flat path popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists. Phantom Lake has a lovely 2.4-mile trail surrounding it, suitable for walks and enjoying nature.

The lakes are rich in wildlife. Around Lake Washington, particularly in Mercer Slough Nature Park accessible from Enatai Beach Park, you can spot great blue herons, beavers, bald eagles, and various water birds. The natural settings around all lakes provide opportunities for birdwatching and observing local fauna.

The East Lake Sammamish Trail, which runs along Lake Sammamish, is a paved and nearly flat path, making it suitable for wheelchair users. Many park facilities around the lakes are also designed to be accessible.

You can access Lake Washington from several parks in Bellevue, including Meydenbauer Bay Park, Enatai Beach Park, and Newcastle Beach Park. Each offers unique amenities like swimming areas, picnic spots, and watercraft launches.

Lake Sammamish State Park, located southeast of Bellevue, offers extensive parking facilities for visitors accessing its swimming beaches, trails, and recreational areas. Specific parking details and potential fees can usually be found on the park's official website.

Yes, Enatai Beach Park on Lake Washington offers convenient canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals. Idylwood Park on Lake Sammamish also provides canoe rentals, making it easy to get out on the water.

The warmer months, typically late spring through early fall, are ideal for swimming, boating, and water sports on Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. For walking and hiking, spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery, though trails like the East Lake Sammamish Trail are enjoyable year-round.

While Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish are prominent, Phantom Lake is a smaller, landlocked body of water nestled within a residential neighborhood on the east side of Bellevue. It offers a peaceful 2.4-mile trail for walks and fishing, providing a quieter natural escape.

Lake Sammamish State Park offers a wide range of activities including swimming at its two beaches, boating, water skiing, family picnics, and freshwater fishing. The park also features soccer fields, volleyball courts, campsites, hiking trails, and a large children's playground.