Duvall Beach
Duvall, Washington · on Snoqualmie River · Mccormick Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Duvall Beach
Duvall Beach is a sandy riverfront swimming hole on the Snoqualmie River within the City of Duvall's McCormick Park, on the east bank just off downtown Duvall, Washington. It is a well-known local swimming and picnicking spot reached via the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, with slow, calm water that makes this an easy river to swim in and draws families in summer.
The beach sits on the east bank of the Snoqualmie River at the edge of downtown Duvall, within McCormick Park, which also includes shoreline and wetland areas, grassy fields, and a footbridge, and connects directly to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, a flat regional gravel trail.
Swimming at Duvall Beach
Described by locals and a family-outdoors publication as a slow-current, warm, calm stretch of the Snoqualmie River with a soft sand beach, suited to kids wading, splashing, and floating rather than serious swimming or current-fighting. The city reportedly provides free loaner lifejackets on site.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 26200 NE Burhen Way, Duvall, WA, just off downtown Duvall; the beach is directly accessible from McCormick Park and also reachable on foot/bike via the Snoqualmie Valley Trail (a flat gravel regional trail), roughly 1.2 miles from a trailhead near Novelty, WA.
The hike in
Snoqualmie Valley Trail (optional approach only)
- To the water
- ~1.2 mi one-way if approaching via the Snoqualmie Valley Trail from the Novelty-area trailhead (optional, not needed if parking at the park itself)
- Time on foot
- under 30 min walk one-way via the trail option; a few minutes from the park's own parking
Difficulty: easy (flat, gravel, ADA-accessible trail) if walking in; otherwise no hike at all
Trailhead: Not required for direct access, McCormick Park/Duvall Beach has its own on-site parking. As an alternative, the flat gravel Snoqualmie Valley Trail passes the beach and can be picked up near Novelty, WA.
Duvall Beach sits about 1.2 miles into a flat, out-and-back walk on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail that continues past McCormick Park Beach shortly after; total round trip along that stretch is roughly 2.9 miles, per a route-logging hiking site.
This is fundamentally a drive-up park beach; the trail route is a scenic alternative, not a requirement.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Slow, calm, warm current with a soft sand beach suited to wading and floating; the city reportedly provides free loaner lifejackets, and the park is dog-friendly and stroller-accessible. No lifeguards are mentioned at this or any source, so caregivers should still supervise as with any open river.
Parking
Available
The park has on-site parking per the city's facility listing, but no source specifies lot size, surface type, or any fee; no source mentions a paid-parking requirement either, so cost/paid status is left unknown rather than assumed.
Restrooms
Yes
Portable (vault-style) restroom on site per the City of Duvall's official McCormick Park facility page; an outdoor rinse-off shower is also available.
Hours
Dawn to dusk (City of Duvall park hours); outdoor gatherings of 30 people or fewer don't need a permit, 31+ requires a Special Event Permit.
On the water
One source (Seattle's Child) explicitly recommends inner tubes for this 'gentle stretch of river.' No source mentions a boat launch, kayak/canoe/paddleboard use, or motorized craft here, and none states a prohibition either, the spot reads as an informal swim/float beach rather than a boat-access point, so anything beyond tubing is left unconfirmed.
Duvall Beach: FAQ
Is Duvall Beach kid friendly?
Slow, calm, warm current with a soft sand beach suited to wading and floating; the city reportedly provides free loaner lifejackets, and the park is dog-friendly and stroller-accessible. No lifeguards are mentioned at this or any source, so caregivers should still supervise as with any open river.
Do I need to hike to reach Duvall Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Duvall Beach?
The park has on-site parking per the city's facility listing, but no source specifies lot size, surface type, or any fee; no source mentions a paid-parking requirement either, so cost/paid status is left unknown rather than assumed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Duvall Beach?
One source (Seattle's Child) explicitly recommends inner tubes for this 'gentle stretch of river.' No source mentions a boat launch, kayak/canoe/paddleboard use, or motorized craft here, and none states a prohibition either, the spot reads as an informal swim/float beach rather than a boat-access point, so anything beyond tubing is left unconfirmed.
When is the best time to visit Duvall Beach?
Summer, described as a warm-water hangout spot; the city also hosts summer events (concerts, the Sandblast art event) there.
What are the rules at Duvall Beach?
City park open dawn to dusk; outdoor gatherings of 30 people or fewer do not require a permit, while events of 31+ require a Special Event Permit per the city's Facilities and Field Rental Policy.
What water body is Duvall Beach on?
Duvall Beach is on Snoqualmie River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
