Davies Beach
Lake Stevens, Washington · on Lake Stevens
Verified · 2 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Davies Beach
Davies Beach (formerly Willard Wyatt Park) is a public swimming beach on the southwest shore of Lake Stevens in Snohomish County, Washington, at the foot of Chapel Hill. A local swimming hole with a long history, it has operated as a lake recreation spot since a private resort ran there from about 1908 to 1950, later becoming a county and then city park.
The beach sits on the southwest shore of Lake Stevens near Chapel Hill, with the Joe Rantz Boathouse (home of the North Cascade Crew rowing club) directly across Davies Road. The site historically hosted a resort with a dance hall and picnic grounds before Snohomish County acquired it around 1960; it was transferred to the City of Lake Stevens and reverted to the Davies Beach name in 2020.
Swimming at Davies Beach
Davies Beach has a roped/marked swimming area in the lake where visitors swim, wade, and jump/flip off into the water; water in the marked area reaches at least about 10 feet deep. It draws large crowds (on the order of 100 people) during hot weather, drawing families and teens for casual lake swimming rather than remote wilderness swimming.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Davies Beach is a drive-up city park at 20 S. Davies Rd., Lake Stevens: the parking area, boat launch, dock, and swim beach are all on the same small lakefront lot, so no trail or hike is needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The marked swim area has a drop-off reaching roughly 10 feet deep and there is no lifeguard on duty (posted signage warns of this), so young or inexperienced swimmers need direct supervision. The city advertises 'inclusive access' at the swim beach and provides a free life-jacket loaner locker on site, and the shoreline itself is a sandy city beach rather than rocks or cliffs. Two drowning deaths of minors were documented here in June 2022 when swimmers were not wearing life jackets, which is why this is rated with_care rather than a flat yes.
Parking
Paid
On-site parking has a fee kiosk; the City of Lake Stevens sells Annual Boat Launch Parking Passes online, with day-of parking paid at the kiosk. The exact per-visit dollar amount is not published on the park's city webpage.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are available on site at Davies Beach park, per the City of Lake Stevens' official park page; the page does not specify vault vs. flush or exact location within the park.
Hours
Park open 7:00 AM until dusk; the adjoining boat launch is open 1 hour before dawn to 1 hour after dusk (per City of Lake Stevens Parks & Recreation).
On the water
Restrictions: Lake-wide city rules apply: 35 mph speed limit, lake traffic runs counter-clockwise, and boats must slow to no-wake/8 mph within 100 feet of swimming areas, docks, or floating objects; personal watercraft (jet skis) may only operate during daylight hours, and operators must be 12+ to run a boat with a 15+ HP motor. Davies Beach's own dock is posted non-motorized (kayaks/canoes/paddleboards/rowing shells), while motorized boats launch from the adjacent public boat launch/ramp.
City of Lake Stevens Parks & Recreation publishes these lake-wide watercraft rules on its Water Recreation Program page; they apply lake-wide, not uniquely to Davies Beach.
Backstory
Operated as a private resort with a dance hall and picnic area from about 1908 to 1950. Snohomish County acquired the property around 1960 and named it Wyatt Park after county commissioner Willard A. Wyatt, who had no personal connection to Lake Stevens. Ownership transferred to the City of Lake Stevens and, following a 2020 recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Planning Board, the name reverted to Davies Beach.
Davies Beach: FAQ
Is Davies Beach kid friendly?
The marked swim area has a drop-off reaching roughly 10 feet deep and there is no lifeguard on duty (posted signage warns of this), so young or inexperienced swimmers need direct supervision. The city advertises 'inclusive access' at the swim beach and provides a free life-jacket loaner locker on site, and the shoreline itself is a sandy city beach rather than rocks or cliffs. Two drowning deaths of minors were documented here in June 2022 when swimmers were not wearing life jackets, which is why this is rated with_care rather than a flat yes.
Do I need to hike to reach Davies Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Davies Beach?
On-site parking has a fee kiosk; the City of Lake Stevens sells Annual Boat Launch Parking Passes online, with day-of parking paid at the kiosk. The exact per-visit dollar amount is not published on the park's city webpage.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Davies Beach?
City of Lake Stevens Parks & Recreation publishes these lake-wide watercraft rules on its Water Recreation Program page; they apply lake-wide, not uniquely to Davies Beach.
When is the best time to visit Davies Beach?
Summer (peak use reported during hot-weather days in June-July)
What are the rules at Davies Beach?
No lifeguard is on duty; a posted sign warns swimmers of this. A life-jacket loaner locker is available at the beach.
What water body is Davies Beach on?
Davies Beach is on Lake Stevens, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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