Newcastle Beach Park
Bellevue, Washington · on Lake Washington · Newcastle Beach Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Newcastle Beach Park
Newcastle Beach Park is a City of Bellevue park on the shore of Lake Washington, described by the city as its largest beach park. The swimming hole here is a designated sandy beach with seasonal lifeguards, a 300-foot dock, and a non-motorized watercraft launch, alongside picnic areas and a children's play area, making this one of the area's most convenient places to swim.
The park sits directly on Lake Washington at 4400 Lake Washington Blvd SE in Bellevue, combining a sandy lakeshore swim area with grassy picnic lawns and a nature trail; it is reachable from I-405 via the 112th Avenue SE exit.
Swimming at Newcastle Beach Park
Swimming takes place off a sandy beach in a roped/float-line-bounded designated swim area on Lake Washington, with a separate deep-water zone restricted to those who pass a swim skills test; a 300-foot dock and non-motorized watercraft launch sit alongside the swim area, making it suited to families and casual lake swimmers rather than open-water or wilderness swimmers.
How to get to this swimming hole
From I-405, take the 112th Avenue SE exit; the park address is 4400 Lake Washington Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA 98006.
Parking: On-site parking is available at the park (per the official city park page); no fee or capacity details were published.
The hike in
Newcastle Beach Park is a drive-up beach park; the sandy swim area and dock sit adjacent to the on-site parking lots. The park also contains a separate nature trail, but it is not on the path from parking to the swim beach and is not required to reach the water.
No source specifies an exact walk distance from the lots to the beach; treat as a short walk (park layout puts parking directly adjacent to the shoreline).
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
City-designated sandy swim beach with a roped/float-line boundary and seasonal lifeguards (daily noon-7pm, June 27-Sept 7); a swim-skills test is required only for the separate deep-water zone, so the main shallow swim area is supervised and family-oriented. Inner tubes/floats are restricted to shallow water and adult supervision is required by park rules.
Parking
Free
On-site designated parking lots, first-come/first-served only, spaces cannot be reserved; the city explicitly encourages carpooling because availability is limited, especially on warm summer days.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are on-site near the picnic areas (per the City of Bellevue's outdoor-rentals page for the park); exact building location/number of facilities not specified.
Hours
Park: dawn to dusk. Lifeguards on duty seasonally June 27-Sept 7, daily noon-7 p.m.
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized watercraft only; the launch is available year-round. No motorboats or jet skis at this launch site.
A 300-foot dock provides additional water access alongside the designated non-motorized launch.
Rentals nearby
Kayaks, canoes/open boats, paddleboards (SUP), and sailboats for open boating on Lake Washington
Prices: $45 per 2-hour session ($110 for a 5-session pass); season passes from $245 (Adult Paddling) to $330 (Adult Unlimited, includes sailboats) to $500 (Family Unlimited)
Magnuson Park, 7861 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA - on Lake Washington, roughly 13 miles north of Newcastle Beach Park (same lake, opposite/north end) · Summer (through Labor Day) open boating/rental: Fri-Mon 1pm-sunset, Sat-Sun also 11am-sunset; office hours Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Backstory
Wikipedia's entry on landscape architect Johnpaul Jones lists the 'Newcastle Beach Park Buildings' among his heritage/visitor-center projects, though no further design details or dates are given.
Newcastle Beach Park: FAQ
Does Newcastle Beach Park charge a fee?
No fee is indicated for beach/swimming access. Picnic shelter and picnic-area rentals require a separate reservation fee via the city's Park Scheduling Office, but specific rates were not found on the pages reviewed.
Is Newcastle Beach Park kid friendly?
City-designated sandy swim beach with a roped/float-line boundary and seasonal lifeguards (daily noon-7pm, June 27-Sept 7); a swim-skills test is required only for the separate deep-water zone, so the main shallow swim area is supervised and family-oriented. Inner tubes/floats are restricted to shallow water and adult supervision is required by park rules.
Do I need to hike to reach Newcastle Beach Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Newcastle Beach Park?
On-site designated parking lots, first-come/first-served only, spaces cannot be reserved; the city explicitly encourages carpooling because availability is limited, especially on warm summer days.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Newcastle Beach Park?
A 300-foot dock provides additional water access alongside the designated non-motorized launch.
When is the best time to visit Newcastle Beach Park?
Summer; lifeguards are on duty June 27-September 7, daily from noon to 7 p.m.
What are the rules at Newcastle Beach Park?
Children must be directly supervised by an adult; swimmers must stay within the outer float lines/log booms; a swim skills test is required before entering deep-water areas; inner tubes/floating aids are restricted to shallow water; scuba diving, swimming under docks/floats, and diving from structures are prohibited. Dogs are prohibited in the park from June 1 through September 15. Park hours are dawn to dusk. Violations are enforceable as misdemeanors under Bellevue's Parks and Recreation Facilities Code, and lifeguards may expel violators for 1-7 days.
What water body is Newcastle Beach Park on?
Newcastle Beach Park is on Lake Washington, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
