Clear Lake Beach
Mount Vernon, Washington · on Clear Lake · Clear Lake Beach Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Clear Lake Beach
Clear Lake Beach is a Skagit County-managed public swim beach on Clear Lake, near the small community of Clear Lake and about 3 miles from Burlington, Washington. It is an official, developed park with a designated (but non-lifeguarded) swim area, shelter, playground, and volleyball court.
The beach sits on the shore of Clear Lake in the lowlands east of Burlington/Mount Vernon in Skagit County, reached via Highway 9 near Big Rock. It is a developed county park setting rather than a backcountry or off-trail spot.
Swimming at Clear Lake Beach
Swimming takes place off a lake beach in a county-designated swim area with no lifeguard on duty. The county periodically tests the water and has closed the beach to swimming (while keeping fishing open) when fecal-indicator bacteria/E. coli levels were elevated, indicating a lake with typical warm-season algae/bacteria monitoring rather than a wilderness swimming hole.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Mount Vernon, head east on College Way to Highway 9; at Big Rock turn and continue about 2.9 miles to reach Clear Lake Beach Park at 12925 South Front St., Clear Lake, WA.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a small (1-acre), drive-up Skagit County day-use park with an address and vehicle directions; no trail, hike, or approach walk is described in any official source or the prior dossier. Swimming area is at the developed park itself.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Skagit County describes Clear Lake Beach as a designated swim area but explicitly a 'Non-Lifeguarded Beach.' The county has also closed it to all swimming/water contact multiple times (documented 2007 and August 2025) after tests showed elevated fecal-indicator bacteria/E. coli, reopening only after a clean retest. Kids can swim here but parents should supervise closely and check current advisories before visiting.
Parking
Available
The park has a street address (12925 South Front St., Clear Lake, WA) and county driving directions (east on College Way to Hwy 9, turn at Big Rock, continue ~2.9 miles), implying an on-site parking area, but Skagit County's park page and amenities key do not specify lot size/type or any parking fee.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are listed on Skagit County's official Parks Amenities Key for Clear Lake Beach Park, along with an ADA/wheelchair-accessible icon, indicating an accessible on-site restroom.
On the water
Skagit County's official amenities key for Clear Lake Beach Park lists restrooms, ADA access, leashed pets, fishing, picnic area, playground, BBQ, and picnic shelter, no boat-launch icon is listed for this park. No official source confirms whether kayaks/canoes/paddleboards may be hand-carried in, or states any motor/no-wake restriction, so left unconfirmed rather than guessed.
Backstory
Clear Lake Beach has been closed to swimming multiple times over the years due to elevated bacteria counts, including a 2007 closure documented in a county press release and an August 2025 closure reported by the Skagit Valley Herald; both times the beach reopened after retesting showed acceptable bacteria levels.
Clear Lake Beach: FAQ
Is Clear Lake Beach kid friendly?
Skagit County describes Clear Lake Beach as a designated swim area but explicitly a 'Non-Lifeguarded Beach.' The county has also closed it to all swimming/water contact multiple times (documented 2007 and August 2025) after tests showed elevated fecal-indicator bacteria/E. coli, reopening only after a clean retest. Kids can swim here but parents should supervise closely and check current advisories before visiting.
Do I need to hike to reach Clear Lake Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Clear Lake Beach?
The park has a street address (12925 South Front St., Clear Lake, WA) and county driving directions (east on College Way to Hwy 9, turn at Big Rock, continue ~2.9 miles), implying an on-site parking area, but Skagit County's park page and amenities key do not specify lot size/type or any parking fee.
What are the rules at Clear Lake Beach?
Designated as a non-lifeguarded swim beach by Skagit County; the county has closed the beach to swimming and other water contact activities (fishing still permitted) when water testing showed elevated fecal-related bacteria, most recently in August 2025, reopening after a clean retest.
What water body is Clear Lake Beach on?
Clear Lake Beach is on Clear Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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