Swimming Beach Day Use
Leavenworth, Washington · on Lake Wenatchee · Lake Wenatchee
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Swimming Beach Day Use
Swimming Beach Day Use is the designated swim beach within Lake Wenatchee State Park's south-shore day-use area, giving visitors a glacier- and snowmelt-fed lake to swim in near Leavenworth, Washington. It is an official, developed swimming hole with ADA accessibility features, part of a 492-acre state park that also offers camping, boating, and trails.
The beach sits on the eastern end of Lake Wenatchee, a 5-mile-long alpine lake on the Cascade Range's eastern slopes within the Wenatchee National Forest, surrounded by forested park land and mountain views. The state park is divided into north and south shore sections separated by the Wenatchee River, with the day-use swim beach on the developed south side.
Swimming at Swimming Beach Day Use
The lake is glacier- and snowmelt-fed, so water stays cool even in summer. The South Beach day-use area is a developed, sandy swim beach with gentle, shallow water's-edge conditions suited to families and children, plus ADA accommodations (a free loaner beach wheelchair, May 1-Oct 31, and Mobi-mats providing wheelchair access to the shoreline at two ADA picnic spots).
How to get to this swimming hole
Located within the day-use area on the south shore of Lake Wenatchee State Park, reached via the park's main entrance near Leavenworth, Washington.
Parking: Day-use parking is within the state park; a Discover Pass is required (no unattended overnight vehicle parking permitted).
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up, developed day-use swim beach reached directly from the park's south-shore parking area; no trail or hike is needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Official developed swim beach in Lake Wenatchee State Park's south-shore day-use area with gentle, shallow water's-edge entry, sandy shoreline, and ADA features (free loaner beach wheelchair May 1-Oct 31, Mobi-mat shoreline access at two ADA picnic spots); no lifeguard presence is mentioned on the official park page, and the park itself flags general wildlife (bear) awareness, not swim hazards, so supervision is still warranted.
Parking
Paid, Discover Pass required: $10 one-day or $45 annual (no separate parking fee beyond the pass); watercraft launch is an additional $7/day
Day-use lot within the state park's south-shore day-use area; no unattended overnight vehicle parking is permitted.
Restrooms
Yes
Washington State Parks lists comfort stations with hot showers centrally located in both the north and south shore campgrounds; restrooms are within the day-use/park area near the swim beach.
Hours
Washington State Parks lists the park as open 6:30 a.m. to dusk roughly mid-June through Sept. 1 (extended summer hours), and 8:00 a.m. to dusk the rest of the year.
On the water
Washington State Parks lists a boat ramp, a dock, and an ADA boat launch at the park, plus a $7/day watercraft launch fee, indicating motorized and non-motorized watercraft are both accommodated at the park's launch facilities. No specific no-wake zone or horsepower restriction near the swim beach itself was found in the sources checked.
Rentals nearby
Lake Wenatchee Adventures
Single and double kayaks, kids' kayaks, and paddleboards
Operates on-site within Lake Wenatchee State Park's south-shore day-use area, at the swim beach itself · 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily, seasonally (Memorial Day-Labor Day per the state park's official concessioner listing)
Kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) rentals for use on Lake Wenatchee, the Columbia River, or other nearby water
Prices: $40 for 1 day, $75 for 2 days, $110 for 3 days, $145 for 4 days, $180 for 5 days
Based in Wenatchee, WA (98802), roughly 35-40 miles from Lake Wenatchee; gear must be self-transported to the lake · Mon-Sat 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Sunday by appointment with 24-hour notice
Kayaks (singles/tandems, youth options), paddleboards (solo, tandem, and a 6-person board), and river tubes for use at Lake Wenatchee, Fish Lake, or the river
Based in Leavenworth, WA, roughly 15-20 miles from Lake Wenatchee; all-day rentals, customer provides transport to/from the lake
Swimming Beach Day Use: FAQ
Does Swimming Beach Day Use charge a fee?
Washington Discover Pass required: $10 for a one-day pass or $45 for an annual pass. Watercraft launch is an additional $7/day.
Is Swimming Beach Day Use kid friendly?
Official developed swim beach in Lake Wenatchee State Park's south-shore day-use area with gentle, shallow water's-edge entry, sandy shoreline, and ADA features (free loaner beach wheelchair May 1-Oct 31, Mobi-mat shoreline access at two ADA picnic spots); no lifeguard presence is mentioned on the official park page, and the park itself flags general wildlife (bear) awareness, not swim hazards, so supervision is still warranted.
Do I need to hike to reach Swimming Beach Day Use?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Swimming Beach Day Use?
Day-use lot within the state park's south-shore day-use area; no unattended overnight vehicle parking is permitted.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Swimming Beach Day Use?
Washington State Parks lists a boat ramp, a dock, and an ADA boat launch at the park, plus a $7/day watercraft launch fee, indicating motorized and non-motorized watercraft are both accommodated at the park's launch facilities. No specific no-wake zone or horsepower restriction near the swim beach itself was found in the sources checked.
When is the best time to visit Swimming Beach Day Use?
Summer, aligned with the park's extended summer hours (approximately mid-June through Sept. 1, 6:30 a.m. to dusk); winter hours are 8:00 a.m. to dusk.
What are the rules at Swimming Beach Day Use?
Dogs must be leashed; fires only in designated areas (current Burn Ban Level 3 restricts wood/charcoal fires, gas stoves allowed); no unattended overnight vehicle parking; food must be stored securely due to bear activity; gates close at dusk and reopen at posted hours.
What water body is Swimming Beach Day Use on?
Swimming Beach Day Use is on Lake Wenatchee, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
