Mt Baker Beach
Seattle, Washington · on Lake Washington · Loth131
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Mt Baker Beach
Mount Baker Beach is a City of Seattle Parks & Recreation swimming beach on the western shore of Lake Washington in the Mount Baker neighborhood, adjacent to Colman Park. It is officially designated as one of Seattle's lifeguarded summer swim beaches, with a dock, diving platform, and roped-off swim area for freshwater lake swimming.
The beach sits along Lake Washington Boulevard S at the lake's edge, next to Colman Park, with a grassy lawn typical of Seattle's Lake Washington beach parks rather than sand. It is an urban, easily reached city park setting a few miles southeast of downtown Seattle.
Swimming at Mt Baker Beach
Swimming is in open freshwater Lake Washington from a designated, roped-off swim area, with a dock and diving platform for jumping in. Seattle Parks has historically staffed it with lifeguards during summer (noon-7pm weekdays, 11am-7pm weekends, through Labor Day), making it suited to families and casual swimmers rather than a wilderness swimming hole. As of the most recent city update found (April 2026), lifeguard service remained suspended following bathhouse fire damage in July 2025, and it is unconfirmed whether lifeguards returned for the 2026 season.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 2301 Lake Washington Blvd S in Seattle's Mount Baker neighborhood, directly on Lake Washington and adjacent to Colman Park.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Mount Baker Beach is a drive-up, walk-up city park beach directly on Lake Washington Blvd S; no hike is needed to reach the water. For context only, there is a proposed (not yet built) accessible paved path along Lake Washington Blvd S that would connect Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park to the south, but this is a bike and pedestrian boulevard proposal, not a hiking trail to the swim spot.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated city swim beach with a shallow roped-off lake swim area, dock, and diving platform, historically lifeguarded in summer -- normally a good family spot. However, as of the last confirmed status (an April 2026 city project update), lifeguard service remained suspended following a July 2025 bathhouse fire and restroom closure, so parents should verify current lifeguard presence before counting on supervision; the diving platform and open lake water (no current, but boat traffic on Lake Washington) also warrant normal-caution supervision of young kids.
On the water
Lake Washington broadly supports hand-launched kayaks/canoes/SUPs and motorboats elsewhere on the lake; no source found gives Mount Baker Beach's own launch/no-wake rules specifically (it is a swim beach with a roped-off area, which typically limits motorized craft close to shore, but this was not independently confirmed for this exact location).
Rentals nearby
Kayak and SUP (paddleboard) rentals; 2026 season pass model with per-visit discounts
Prices: 2026 Season Pass $49.99 (gives 50% off weekday rentals, 25% off weekend rentals); individual hourly/daily rates not published on the pages fetched
Adams Street Boat Ramp on Lake Washington, near Seward Park, Seattle -- roughly 2-3 miles south of Mount Baker Beach along Lake Washington Blvd S (also has Kirkland locations at Juanita Beach Park and Marina Park, further away)
Kayak and paddleboard rentals for all ages/experience levels
1001 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 -- this location is on Lake Union/South Lake Union, not Lake Washington, and is roughly 5-6 miles from Mount Baker Beach; included as the closest well-documented paddle outfitter found, but it does not directly serve Lake Washington at this address · Summer 2026: Mon 11am-8pm, Tue 11am-7pm, Wed-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-7pm (weather-dependent, call ahead if cloudy/rainy/cold)
What regulars say
Locals mention Mount Baker Beach favorably and often, indicating it is a well-known, frequently visited spot, but no specific first-hand detail on water clarity, crowd levels, or on-the-ground tips could be captured this pass.
Backstory
A fire on July 23, 2025 destroyed the roof and interior of the Mount Baker Beach Bathhouse breezeway and north wing, including the building's electrical service connection, forcing restroom closure and suspension of lifeguard operations; the City of Seattle listed an 'emergency repair and site stabilization' project for the bathhouse as ongoing, with an update posted April 28, 2026.
Mt Baker Beach: FAQ
Is Mt Baker Beach kid friendly?
Designated city swim beach with a shallow roped-off lake swim area, dock, and diving platform, historically lifeguarded in summer -- normally a good family spot. However, as of the last confirmed status (an April 2026 city project update), lifeguard service remained suspended following a July 2025 bathhouse fire and restroom closure, so parents should verify current lifeguard presence before counting on supervision; the diving platform and open lake water (no current, but boat traffic on Lake Washington) also warrant normal-caution supervision of young kids.
Do I need to hike to reach Mt Baker Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Mt Baker Beach?
No independent source found describing a dedicated parking lot, capacity, or fees for Mount Baker Beach specifically. The beach sits directly on Lake Washington Blvd S next to Colman Park, an area known locally for street parking along the boulevard; this could not be confirmed as free/paid or lot/roadside from any source found in this pass.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Mt Baker Beach?
Lake Washington broadly supports hand-launched kayaks/canoes/SUPs and motorboats elsewhere on the lake; no source found gives Mount Baker Beach's own launch/no-wake rules specifically (it is a swim beach with a roped-off area, which typically limits motorized craft close to shore, but this was not independently confirmed for this exact location).
When is the best time to visit Mt Baker Beach?
Summer, historically late June through Labor Day when lifeguards are on duty.
What are the rules at Mt Baker Beach?
Historically operated as a lifeguarded designated swim beach with a roped-off swimming area during summer months (noon-7pm weekdays, 11am-7pm weekends, through Labor Day, per 2023 reporting). Following a July 23, 2025 fire that damaged the beach bathhouse's roof, interior, breezeway, and electrical service, the restrooms were closed and Seattle Parks suspended lifeguard services at the beach for the remainder of 2025, since lifeguarded beaches require accessible restroom facilities; repair work was still listed as ongoing per an April 28, 2026 city project update.
What water body is Mt Baker Beach on?
Mt Baker Beach is on Lake Washington, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
