Joemma Beach State Park is a secluded 122-acre marine park on the Key Peninsula featuring 3,000 feet of saltwater shoreline on Case Inlet of Puget Sound. The beach is notable for being a stop on the Cascadia Marine Trail, a water trail for human-powered boats. The park offers primitive campsites that are particularly popular with […]
Washington Beaches
Washington State’s beaches span three distinct coastal zones: the wild Pacific Ocean beaches of the Olympic Peninsula and southwest coast (Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, Kalaloch, Ocean Shores, Westport, and Cape Disappointment), the sheltered pebble and sand pocket beaches of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands (Alki Beach, Golden Gardens, Lincoln Park, Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, and Deception Pass), and warm freshwater lake beaches on Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, and Lake Chelan. Pacific Ocean and Puget Sound waters remain cold year-round (46 F to 56 F), making tide pooling at low tide, beachcombing, sea kayaking, clamming, and storm watching more common than prolonged ocean swimming without a wetsuit. Washington State Parks require vehicles to display a daily ($10) or annual ($30) Discover Pass, while Olympic National Park beaches require an NPS entrance pass. Always carry a tide table on Olympic Peninsula beaches to avoid being trapped at high tide around headlands. Use the filters below to explore Washington beaches across the outer Pacific Coast, Olympic National Park, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, and inland lakes by tide pooling, sea kayaking, clamming, camping, and summer swimming. Before visiting, ensure you display a Washington State Parks Discover Pass or National Park pass where required, carry a printed NOAA tide chart for headland hikes, and check the Washington Department of Ecology BEACH program for water quality updates.
Owen Beach
Owen Beach is located within Point Defiance Park, a 760-acre urban oasis in Tacoma. The beach recently underwent a major renovation to improve accessibility and address climate change impacts. Situated along the Tacoma Narrows, it offers views of Vashon Island, the Olympic Mountains, and marine traffic. The beach is accessible via the Five Mile Drive […]
Richmond Beach
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park features 32 acres of steep, wooded slopes leading down to a Puget Sound beach with panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and shipping traffic. The park includes both an off-leash dog area and dog-restricted zones to accommodate different users. Railway tracks run along the beach, providing train-watching opportunities. The hillside above […]
Lincoln Park Beach
Lincoln Park in West Seattle combines a mile of saltwater beach along Puget Sound with 135 acres of forest trails and recreational facilities. The beach includes both rocky and sandy sections, with a paved path running its length. The park features Colman Pool, a heated saltwater pool with views of Puget Sound (open summers). Located […]
Mukilteo Beach
Mukilteo Beach at Lighthouse Park offers a combination of historical significance and natural beauty. The centerpiece is the 1906 Mukilteo Lighthouse, open for tours on weekends. The park sits adjacent to the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry terminal, providing entertaining views of ferries coming and going. Once the site of the signing of the 1855 Point Elliott Treaty […]
Kopachuck Beach
Kopachuck Beach is part of a 109-acre marine state park along Henderson Bay in Puget Sound. The beach offers dramatic views of Cutts Island (also known as Deadman’s Island), a small, tree-topped island accessible by kayak at low tide. The shoreline features a mix of sand and small pebbles, with a forested backdrop that provides […]
Alki Beach
Alki Beach is a long, sandy beach that offers spectacular views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Located in West Seattle, it’s popular among locals for its 2.5-mile pedestrian path, beach volleyball courts, and numerous waterfront restaurants. The beach is historically significant as the landing point of Seattle’s first white settlers in 1851. On […]