5 Best Places to Paddle Board in Lake Sammamish, WA

Discover a Pacific Northwest paradise with the best places to paddle board in Lake Sammamish, WA.

Imagine gliding across tranquil waters surrounded by lush greenery and stunning views.

Get ready for unforgettable adventures as we dive into the incredible paddle boarding spots Lake Sammamish has to offer. Gear up and let’s ride!

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Lake Sammamish

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024, rental counts come from OpenStreetMap. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from May through October. July is the warmest month, averaging 77 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.
Rentals nearby: OpenStreetMap lists 5 places within 16 miles that hire out boards, kayaks or canoes, among them Cascade PaddleSports at Enatai Boathouse, REI Boathouse and Seattle Paddle. Call ahead, opening times outside the main season are short.

Where to Paddle Board in Lake Sammamish

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Lake Sammamish

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍️ Access Point: Lake Sammamish State Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm water, occasional afternoon winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Bass, perch, trout, herons, ospreys
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Cascade Mountains, surrounding parks and lakeside homes
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for motorized watercraft, follow park regulations

Lake Sammamish is a popular destination for paddleboarding in the Seattle area. Boasting calm waters, beautiful lakeside homes, and picturesque views of the Cascade Mountains, it’s an ideal spot for all skill levels.

Lake Sammamish State Park offers easy access and plenty of activities to complement your paddleboarding experience.

#2 Pine Lake

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Pine Lake Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm water, occasional wind gusts
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Bass, trout, ducks, geese
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Wooded shoreline, nearby parks
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow park rules, be mindful of surrounding homes

Located just a short drive from Lake Sammamish, Pine Lake offers a more intimate paddleboarding experience. This smaller lake is surrounded by a wooded shoreline, providing a serene setting for a peaceful paddle.

Access the water at Pine Lake Park and enjoy the natural beauty of this hidden gem.

#3 Beaver Lake

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍️ Access Point: Beaver Lake Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm water, mild wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Bass, trout, waterfowl
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Forested shoreline, nearby park amenities
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Observe park regulations, watch for fishing activities

Beaver Lake is another lovely paddleboarding location near Lake Sammamish. Known for its quiet and peaceful atmosphere, the forested shores offer stunning scenery to accompany your paddleboarding adventure.

Access the water at Beaver Lake Park, where you can also enjoy a variety of other outdoor activities.

#4 Issaquah Creek

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍️ Access Point: Lake Sammamish State Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, sheltered from strong winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Salmon, ducks, herons
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Scenic tree-lined banks, nearby parks
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for fallen trees, respect private properties

For a change of pace, try paddleboarding on Issaquah Creek, easily accessed from Lake Sammamish State Park. This gently flowing creek offers a unique paddleboarding experience as you navigate the peaceful, tree-lined banks.

Keep an eye out for salmon and waterfowl on your journey, but be sure to respect private properties along the creek.

#5 Sammamish River

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍️ Access Point: Marymoor Park (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, protected from winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Late Spring to Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Salmon, herons, ducks
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Redmond Town Center, parks along the river
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of water levels, respect private properties

The Sammamish River, connecting Lake Sammamish to Lake Washington, offers a scenic paddleboarding route through Redmond and Woodinville.

With gentle currents and a variety of parks along its banks, paddlers can relish the picturesque views and diverse wildlife. Start your journey at Marymoor Park and watch for salmon migrating upstream.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case