Matthews Beach Park
A beautiful lakeside park with a guarded beach, playground, and direct access to the scenic Burke-Gilman Trail.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more tranquility
Matthews Beach Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more tranquility
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beautiful lakeside park with a guarded beach, playground, and direct access to the scenic Burke-Gilman Trail.
"Truly my favorite park of all time, the only reason it’s a 4/5 is because the bathrooms truly are a nightmare."
Pack bathroom essentials
Bathrooms can be unreliable. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer for a more comfortable visit. 🚽
Arrive early for parking
The parking lot fills up quickly, especially on sunny days. Aim for early morning to secure a spot. 🚗
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.5 · 1,744 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Guarded Beach Area
Lake Washington shoreline
Enjoy swimming with peace of mind thanks to lifeguards on duty during peak season. Perfect for families!
Burke-Gilman Trail Access
Adjacent to the park
Connect directly to this scenic trail for biking, walking, or running with beautiful lake and city views.
Playground & Picnic Spots
Near the beach
A fantastic spot for kids to play, with ample grassy areas and built-in grills for a perfect picnic day.
Polar Bear Plunge
Lake Washington
Brave the icy waters on New Year's Day for a unique and exhilarating community tradition. Free to participate!
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds for a Serene Experience
Bathroom Realities & What to Pack
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Pack bathroom essentials
Bathrooms can be unreliable. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer for a more comfortable visit. 🚽
Arrive early for parking
The parking lot fills up quickly, especially on sunny days. Aim for early morning to secure a spot. 🚗
Kid-friendly bike route
Start at Green Lake, cruise Ravenna Blvd, and hit the Burke-Gilman Trail for a safe ride to the park. 🚲
Kayak launch point
Great spot to launch kayaks and explore Lake Washington. Plenty of parking available. 🛶
Tips
from all over the internet
Pack bathroom essentials
Bathrooms can be unreliable. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer for a more comfortable visit. 🚽
Arrive early for parking
The parking lot fills up quickly, especially on sunny days. Aim for early morning to secure a spot. 🚗
Kid-friendly bike route
Start at Green Lake, cruise Ravenna Blvd, and hit the Burke-Gilman Trail for a safe ride to the park. 🚲
Kayak launch point
Great spot to launch kayaks and explore Lake Washington. Plenty of parking available. 🛶
Picnic perfection
With grills and picnic tables, it's ideal for a leisurely lunch or gathering. :sandwich:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Matthews Beach Park is a beloved spot for its beautiful lake access, guarded swimming area, and connection to the Burke-Gilman Trail. Families appreciate the playground and picnic facilities, while cyclists enjoy the scenic path. The primary drawback consistently mentioned is the poor condition and cleanliness of the park's restrooms.
"Definitely my favorite park in a very long time! It’s a large place with a good sized parking lot, including five-six disabled parking spots that all have unloading zones.
There’s two gender neutral bathrooms that are single stall, but incredibly large. This is a very disability accessible place. The doors are heavy, but wide. They’re incredibly filthy though, and there’s been no toilet paper a few times I’ve gone so make sure to check before you sit. 😂
There’s a nice strip of beach where you can access the water, and a playground for kids. Lots of grassy areas, mostly flat but there’s also a small hill. I highly recommend this park for picnics and I saw a lot of people on dates there.
There’s picnic tables, built-in charcoal grills, trash cans, and recycling cans. The pathways are smooth and paved, and wide enough for even a motorized wheelchair. Truly my favorite park of all time, the only reason it’s a 4/5 is because the bathrooms truly are a nightmare."
Emerson Murray
"Best park in the area. Good parking and facilities. Wonderful guarded beach area with deep end and diving island and a nice playground. The only downside is how filthy and degraded the bathrooms and changing/shower rooms are. Otherwise best park in NE Seattle"
Mark
"This is a great beach. If you have kids, they have a lifeguard on staff which honestly is fantastic. But if it's just adults, then it might, it would not be the best beach. Also, if you like long distance, swimming, do not swim here or go somewhere else, the boaters are crazy over here.And there are other spots where people are a little bit more friendly. But this is a great spot if you've got kids."
Hana “Ash” Cooper
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Matthews Beach Park is accessible by car, with a decent-sized parking lot. It's also conveniently located along the Burke-Gilman Trail, making it a popular destination for cyclists and walkers. Public transportation options are also available, with bus routes serving the surrounding area. 
Yes, there is a parking lot available at Matthews Beach Park. However, it can fill up quickly, especially on sunny weekends and during events. Arriving early is recommended to secure a spot.
Absolutely! Matthews Beach Park is directly accessible from the Burke-Gilman Trail, a popular paved trail perfect for biking. Many visitors enjoy biking from other Seattle neighborhoods to reach the park.
You can reach Matthews Beach Park via public transit. Several King County Metro bus routes serve the area. Additionally, the Burke-Gilman Trail provides a scenic and safe route for cyclists and pedestrians coming from various parts of Seattle.
The park is designed to be disability accessible, with wide, paved pathways and dedicated disabled parking spots with unloading zones. The bathrooms are also single-stall and large, though their cleanliness can be an issue.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Matthews Beach Park is a public park and does not have an entrance fee. Access to the park, beach, and trails is free for everyone.
Matthews Beach Park is generally open from dawn until dusk. Specific facilities like restrooms may have slightly different hours, but the park grounds are accessible throughout the day.
Yes, during the summer season, Matthews Beach Park has lifeguards on duty at the guarded beach area, making it a safe place for swimming, especially for families with children.
Yes, Matthews Beach Park features a boat launch, allowing visitors to easily access Lake Washington for boating activities.
For general park visits, no advance booking is required. However, if you plan to host a large event or reserve specific picnic areas with grills, it's advisable to check with Seattle Parks and Recreation for any reservation policies.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can enjoy swimming at the guarded beach, picnicking with built-in grills, playing at the playground, walking or biking on the Burke-Gilman Trail, launching a boat, or simply relaxing by Lake Washington.
Yes, there are restrooms available. However, reviews frequently mention that they can be quite dirty and may lack toilet paper, so it's recommended to come prepared.
Matthews Beach Park is excellent for families! It features a guarded swimming area, a playground, and plenty of grassy space for kids to run around. The nearby Burke-Gilman Trail is also a safe and fun route for family bike rides.
Absolutely! The park offers numerous picnic tables and built-in charcoal grills, making it a perfect spot for a picnic. Arriving early is recommended to secure a table, especially on busy days.
The Polar Bear Plunge is an annual event held on New Year's Day where brave participants jump into the cold waters of Lake Washington. It's a free, community event that draws a large crowd.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture stunning shots of Lake Washington with the Cascade Mountains in the background, especially during sunrise or sunset. The Burke-Gilman Trail offers scenic views, and the beach itself provides lovely waterfront perspectives.
Yes, the park offers beautiful opportunities for sunrise and sunset photography over Lake Washington. The changing light on the water and the distant mountains can create dramatic and picturesque scenes.
While not a primary wildlife viewing area, you might spot various water birds on Lake Washington. The surrounding trees and green spaces can also attract smaller urban wildlife. Remember to maintain a respectful distance.
Generally, casual photography for personal use is permitted. However, commercial photography or filming may require permits. Always be mindful of other park visitors and their privacy.
A versatile lens like a 24-70mm is great for capturing landscapes and candid moments. If you're interested in wildlife, a telephoto lens might be useful. A wide-angle lens is perfect for sweeping lake views. Don't forget a polarizing filter for water shots!
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit