McCormick Park
Duvall, Washington · on Snoqualmie River · Mccormick Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- June
About McCormick Park
McCormick Park is a City of Duvall park on the east bank of the Snoqualmie River, offering a sandy beach and shoreline access adjacent to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. It is a popular, easy-access family swimming hole roughly half a mile from downtown Duvall, Washington, and one of the simplest places to swim on this stretch of the Snoqualmie.
The park sits at the bottom of the hill from downtown Duvall, behind the town's train depot, directly bordering the Snoqualmie River and the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. It includes open grassy fields, wetland and shoreline areas along Coe-Clemons Creek, and a footbridge connecting to walking paths; there is little shade across the site.
Swimming at McCormick Park
The river here has a slow, lazy current that locals describe as good for inner-tubing, entering from a soft sandy beach with a gentle slope rather than a rocky bank, making it well suited to young children and families rather than swimmers seeking depth or current.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located at 26200 NE Stephens St / NE Burhen Way in Duvall, at the base of the hill below downtown, behind the town's train depot, about half a mile from the town center.
Parking: On-site parking is available, shared with the adjacent police station lot.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up city park: the beach/river access is a short, flat walk (under a minute or two) directly from the shared parking lot next to the police station, across grassy lawn to the sandy beach. ADA-accessible paths connect the lot to the shoreline area. A footbridge and the adjoining Snoqualmie Valley Trail (a flat rail-trail) offer optional strolling but are not required to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Multiple first-hand family-travel sources (ParentMap, Seattle's Child) single this park out as one of the most kid-friendly swimming spots near Seattle: a soft sandy beach with a gentle ~30-degree slope (no rocks/boulders to trip on), a slow/lazy summer current good for wading and inner-tubing, and stroller/dog-friendly paths. Main caution is lack of shade across the site (sun exposure) and no lifeguards on duty.
Parking
Free
On-site parking lot that is shared with the adjacent Duvall police station; no fee is mentioned on the city's facility page or elsewhere. Small gatherings of 30 people or fewer need no permit; 31+ requires a Special Event Permit from the City of Duvall.
Restrooms
Yes
Portable (porta-potty style) restroom on-site per the City of Duvall facility page; no permanent restroom building mentioned.
Water clarity
Mostly clear
A family-travel write-up (ParentMap) describes the water here as 'clearish, cleanish, blue-green' during the June-September swim season. No turbidity/algae complaints were found in the sources reviewed. Clarity on the Snoqualmie River generally drops after rain or during spring snowmelt, so conditions likely vary somewhat by season even though no source explicitly discusses off-season murkiness at this spot.
Hours
Dawn to dusk (City of Duvall park hours).
On the water
No formal boat launch, boating regulations, or watercraft-specific rules were found for this park. Multiple sources describe the slow, lazy current as well suited to casual inner-tube floating (bring-your-own tube), but none mention kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, or motorboats being used or restricted here specifically, so 'allowed' is left empty rather than guessed.
What regulars say
Visitors describe the current as consistently slow and lazy, good for young kids and inner-tubing rather than swimming laps; the sandy beach's gentle slope gets called out repeatedly as safer than a rocky riverbank; lack of shade is flagged as the main comfort complaint; and regulars treat the park as a lower-key, less crowded alternative to nearby Taylor Landing, with the two connected by a walkable shoreline at low water.
McCormick Park: FAQ
Does McCormick Park charge a fee?
No entry fee; outdoor events of 30 people or fewer do not require a permit, while gatherings of 31 or more require a Special Event Permit from the City of Duvall.
Is McCormick Park kid friendly?
Multiple first-hand family-travel sources (ParentMap, Seattle's Child) single this park out as one of the most kid-friendly swimming spots near Seattle: a soft sandy beach with a gentle ~30-degree slope (no rocks/boulders to trip on), a slow/lazy summer current good for wading and inner-tubing, and stroller/dog-friendly paths. Main caution is lack of shade across the site (sun exposure) and no lifeguards on duty.
Do I need to hike to reach McCormick Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for McCormick Park?
On-site parking lot that is shared with the adjacent Duvall police station; no fee is mentioned on the city's facility page or elsewhere. Small gatherings of 30 people or fewer need no permit; 31+ requires a Special Event Permit from the City of Duvall.
When is the best time to visit McCormick Park?
June through September, when the water is warm enough for comfortable swimming and tubing.
What are the rules at McCormick Park?
Park hours are dawn to dusk. Camping is not permitted due to the adjacent police station.
What water body is McCormick Park on?
McCormick Park is on Snoqualmie River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
