Madrona Park: Lake Washington Beach in Seattle's Madrona

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Madrona Park has a swimming beach on Lake Washington with a bathhouse nearby. Check Seattle Parks and Recreation for current swim season details.

Madrona Park is at 853 Lake Washington Blvd, Seattle, WA 98122, in the Madrona neighborhood of the Central Area. It sits on the western shore of Lake Washington.

Yes. Madrona Park has a parking area on the lake side of Lake Washington Boulevard.

Madrona Park covers 31.2 acres, split by Lake Washington Boulevard into a lakefront section and a wooded hillside with a ravine and walking paths along Madrona Creek.

A swimming beach on one side of the road and a shaded, creek-cut ravine on the other give this lakeside park two very different moods. Madrona Park is a 31.2-acre public park on the western shore of Lake Washington, at 853 Lake Washington Blvd in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood. Spread out at its Lake Washington beach and picnic areas, then wander wooded paths along Madrona Creek, all in a single visit.

Two Sides of Lake Washington Boulevard

Lake Washington Boulevard runs right through Madrona Park, dividing it into two distinct halves. Down on the lake side you'll find the beach, the bathhouse, the picnic areas and the parking area, while the uphill side rises as a tree-covered slope cut by a ravine.

That divide shapes the way people enjoy the park. Families and swimmers tend to settle in by the shore, and walkers drift across the boulevard toward the trees. Cross carefully between the two sections, since the boulevard carries traffic along the lake.

Read the full guide

Swim at Madrona Park Beach

The swimming beach is the star of Madrona Park, set right on Lake Washington with a bathhouse close by for changing. Claim a spot in the picnic areas near the shore and build a whole afternoon around a meal and a swim.

Swim seasons, lifeguard schedules and bathhouse hours can shift from year to year, so check the Seattle Parks and Recreation page for Madrona Park before you head out for the latest details.

Parking by the Lake

Madrona Park has its own parking area on the lake side of the boulevard. On warm days, expect the lot to fill up and give yourself a little extra time.

Walk the Wooded Ravine Along Madrona Creek

West of the lakefront, the park climbs into a forested hillside with a ravine at its heart. Follow the walking paths as they wind through the trees, with Madrona Creek running through the ravine below. This half of the park trades the beach scene for shade and a quieter feel.

Keen to keep walking among the trees? Madrona Ravine is about 0.2 miles away, and Leschi-Lake Dell Natural Area lies about 0.4 miles off.

Explore the Madrona Neighborhood

Madrona Park sits in Madrona, part of Seattle's Central Area, and several small parks and landmarks lie within half a mile, so it's easy to add a stop before or after your time at the lake. Straight-line distances from the park include:

Myron Ogden House (landmark), 0.3 miles
Madrona Playground, 0.4 miles
Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch library, 0.4 miles
Madrona Briar Patch, 0.4 miles
Alvin Larkins Park, 0.4 miles
Charles Bussell House (Eman/Jacobsen), a landmark, 0.5 miles

Map out the rest of your day with our guide to the Madrona neighborhood, and find more green spaces around the city in our full list of Seattle parks.