Martha Lake Park
Lynnwood, Washington · on Martha Lake · Martha Lake Community Park
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Martha Lake Park
Martha Lake Park is a 6-acre Snohomish County park on the south shore of Martha Lake in Lynnwood, Washington, built on the site of the former Martha Lake Resort. This local swimming hole offers an unsupervised wading area with an ADA-accessible swim ramp, a fishing dock, and a sandy beach along the lake's south end, making Martha Lake an easy lake to swim in.
The park sits on Martha Lake (South), a 61.6-acre freshwater lake just east of I-5 between Lynnwood and Mill Creek, with wetland boardwalks, picnic shelters, and a playground surrounding the shoreline access point.
Swimming at Martha Lake Park
Swimming access is via a designated wading zone with an ADA-accessible swim ramp and a sandy beach area; there is no lifeguard on duty. County pages describe it as a wading area rather than a formal supervised swim beach, suited to families and casual lake wading rather than deep-water swimming.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: On-site parking lot with disabled parking spaces; per one secondary source, street parking is available across the street when the lot is full (not independently confirmed on an official page).
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up county park: the parking lot sits directly next to the beach, ADA swim ramp, and wading area, connected by short paved/boardwalk paths (under a couple minutes' walk). No trail or hike is needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach, ADA-accessible swim ramp, and a designated shallow wading zone make entry easy for small kids, but the area has no lifeguard supervision at any time, so adults need to watch children closely.
Parking
Free
On-site parking lot with designated disabled/ADA parking spaces adjacent to the beach and playground; no fee mentioned on official pages.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site restroom building near the park/parking area; per the county's facility page it is winterized and closed November-March, reopening with the rest of the water-access facilities mid-April through mid-October.
Hours
Park hours are 7 a.m. to dusk (20 minutes after sunset) year-round, but water access and restrooms are only open mid-April through mid-October (closed in winter).
On the water
Restrictions: No gasoline/internal-combustion motors allowed on Martha Lake (South), per Snohomish County Code Title 12, only electric or non-motorized craft permitted.
County page confirms boating, fishing, and paddling are all allowed from the park's shoreline/launch area.
Backstory
The park property was formerly Martha Lake Resort, a private tavern, picnic, and boat-rental destination operating for about 82 years. Snohomish County purchased it in 1991-92 for $2.7 million (aided by a $1 million state grant) and converted it into a public park with swimming and fishing access.
Martha Lake Park: FAQ
Is Martha Lake Park kid friendly?
Sandy beach, ADA-accessible swim ramp, and a designated shallow wading zone make entry easy for small kids, but the area has no lifeguard supervision at any time, so adults need to watch children closely.
Do I need to hike to reach Martha Lake Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Martha Lake Park?
On-site parking lot with designated disabled/ADA parking spaces adjacent to the beach and playground; no fee mentioned on official pages.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Martha Lake Park?
County page confirms boating, fishing, and paddling are all allowed from the park's shoreline/launch area.
When is the best time to visit Martha Lake Park?
Summer (park's water access and restroom facilities are only open mid-April through mid-October).
What are the rules at Martha Lake Park?
Water access and restrooms are closed mid-October through mid-April; trash cans have been removed from the park; picnic shelters are reservable through the county's online portal.
What water body is Martha Lake Park on?
Martha Lake Park is on Martha Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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