Chism Beach Park
Bellevue, Washington · on Lake Washington · Burrows Landing Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Chism Beach Park
Chism Beach Park is a City of Bellevue waterfront park on the shores of Lake Washington, one of six official Bellevue park beaches with seasonal lifeguard coverage. It offers a designated swimming beach alongside a dock, playground, and group picnic areas, a lifeguarded lake to swim in and one of the city's official swimming holes.
The park sits directly on Lake Washington in a residential Bellevue neighborhood near Moorland and Norwood Village, with a dock, lawn and picnic areas, and the historic Burrows Cabin on the grounds, per the city's park page.
Swimming at Chism Beach Park
Swimming is at a designated lake beach staffed with lifeguards in summer, making it suited to families and casual lake swimmers rather than a wilderness or whitewater experience; the city notes swim area closures can occur due to high bacteria counts or lifeguard shortages, with water quality monitored through King County's swimming beach program.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 9600 SE 11th St, Bellevue, WA 98004, on the shores of Lake Washington, a short drive from the Moorland and Norwood Village neighborhoods.
Parking: On-site parking is available per the city park page, though no permit or fee details were found.
The hike in
- Time on foot
- Under 5 minutes on foot from the parking area to the water's edge.
This is a drive-up city park; parking is on-site adjacent to the lawn/beach area, with no trail or hike needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated lake swim area bounded by float lines/log booms with lifeguards on duty daily noon-7pm (June 27-Sept 7 in past seasons); city rules require direct adult supervision of children, restrict inner tubes/floaties to shallow water, and require a swim test before entering deeper water past the float line. The city can also close the swim area for elevated bacteria levels, so it's not a static, guaranteed-safe environment - fine for kids with active supervision, not a hands-off spot.
Parking
Available
City park page confirms on-site parking exists but does not specify lot size, surface type, or whether it is free or paid. No additional source was available to corroborate.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms on-site at the park, per the official City of Bellevue park page; no further detail (flush vs. vault, seasonal closure) was found.
Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, per City of Bellevue park page.
On the water
Restrictions: Per the City of Bellevue's beach park rules, any flotation device entering the designated swimming area must be approved by lifeguard staff, and swimming is prohibited in boat launch areas - implying non-motorized craft like kayaks/canoes/paddleboards are used on the lake outside the roped swim zone but are regulated within it. No motorized boat launch is confirmed specifically at Chism Beach Park (the park page lists a dock but not a boat ramp).
Rules apply parkwide across Bellevue's six lifeguarded Lake Washington beaches, not confirmed as Chism-specific in every detail.
Chism Beach Park: FAQ
Is Chism Beach Park kid friendly?
Designated lake swim area bounded by float lines/log booms with lifeguards on duty daily noon-7pm (June 27-Sept 7 in past seasons); city rules require direct adult supervision of children, restrict inner tubes/floaties to shallow water, and require a swim test before entering deeper water past the float line. The city can also close the swim area for elevated bacteria levels, so it's not a static, guaranteed-safe environment - fine for kids with active supervision, not a hands-off spot.
Do I need to hike to reach Chism Beach Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Chism Beach Park?
City park page confirms on-site parking exists but does not specify lot size, surface type, or whether it is free or paid. No additional source was available to corroborate.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Chism Beach Park?
Rules apply parkwide across Bellevue's six lifeguarded Lake Washington beaches, not confirmed as Chism-specific in every detail.
When is the best time to visit Chism Beach Park?
Summer, coinciding with the official lifeguard season of June 27 through September 7.
What are the rules at Chism Beach Park?
Park hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Lifeguards are on duty daily from noon to 7 p.m., June 27 through September 7; the city posts swim area closures when bacteria levels are high or lifeguard staffing is short, and directs visitors to King County's swimming beach water quality reports.
What water body is Chism Beach Park on?
Chism Beach Park is on Lake Washington, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
