Swimming & wading beaches

Saltwater and lake beaches for families — where the water is warm(ish), where it's wading-only, and which need a Discover Pass. Puget Sound stays cold year-round; lakes are the swimming bet.

Owen Beach (Point Defiance Park) FREE
5605 Owen Beach Rd, Tacoma · map
Renovated in 2022 with whale-sculpture play area and ADA promenade; gently sloping pebble/sand beach but water stays around 50 degrees even in summer. sound
Titlow Park Beach FREE
8425 6th Ave, Tacoma · map
Rocky beach with excellent low-tide marine life viewing; the lagoon is not for swimming; sprayground and toddler playground uphill. sound
Sunnyside Beach Park FREE
2509 Chambers Creek Rd, Steilacoom · map
Long sandy Puget Sound stretch popular for wading; some rock and seaweed at the waterline. sound
Saltar's Point Park FREE
91 Champion St, Steilacoom · map
500 feet of calm saltwater shoreline with picnic shelter and 1930s stone buildings; quieter than Sunnyside. sound
American Lake Park FREE
9222 Veterans Dr SW, Lakewood · map
Roped swim beach with playground, picnic shelter and year-round restroom; lifeguard staffing has varied year to year and is not posted for 2026. lake
Harry Todd Park FREE
8928 N Thorne Ln SW, Lakewood · map
American Lake swim beach with roped swim area (swim at your own risk), fishing pier and a newer playground in the upper park. lake
Spanaway Park (Spanaway Lake)
14905 Bresemann Blvd S, Spanaway · map
Two swim beaches on a 135-acre county park; no lifeguards at Pierce County parks; $3/vehicle parking, mobile-pay from May 23, 2026. lake
Wapato Park (Wapato Lake) FREE
6500 S Sheridan Ave, Tacoma · map
Designated swim area has been closed repeatedly by toxic blue-green algae blooms — check current status before planning to swim; lake loop trail and playground are the draw. lake
Kopachuck State Park
10712 56th St NW, Gig Harbor · map
Sandy Henderson Bay beach that warms enough for summer swimming; beach access is not ADA-accessible; Discover Pass required ($10 day/$45 annual). sound
Penrose Point State Park
321 158th Ave SW, Lakebay · map
Nearly 2 miles of sandy/rocky shoreline good for wading and clam digging, but no designated swim area; Discover Pass required. sound
Twanoh State Park
12190 E State Route 106, Union · map
One of the warmest saltwater beaches in Washington (Hood Canal) — but the day-use area is closed July 5-Aug 31, 2026 for shoreline restoration; Discover Pass required. sound
Sunrise Beach Park FREE
10015 Sunrise Beach Dr NW, Gig Harbor · map
PenMet waterfront park with Mount Rainier views; strong currents make it better for beachcombing than swimming. sound
Dash Point State Park
5700 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way · map
Wide sandy beach where low tide exposes shallow flats that warm up for toddler wading; Discover Pass required. sound
Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point Park) FREE
2600 East Bay Dr NE, Olympia · map
Two miles of Budd Inlet shoreline for beach walking and tide flats, but a permanent swimming advisory is posted due to bacteria near a treatment plant outfall. sound
Burfoot Park FREE
6927 Boston Harbor Rd NE, Olympia · map
Thurston County park with 1,100 feet of Budd Inlet beach reached by a short forest trail; tide flats warm at low tide; occasional swim advisories posted. sound
Tolmie State Park
7730 61st Ave NE, Olympia · map
Sheltered cove with tide flats good for shallow wading and clamming; boardwalk over the saltmarsh; Discover Pass required. sound
Long Lake Park FREE
2790 Carpenter Rd SE, Lacey · map
Sandy swim beach with picnic tables and sand volleyball; the city has not staffed lifeguards in recent summers — swim at your own risk. lake
Deep Lake (Millersylvania State Park)
12245 Tilley Rd S, Olympia · map
Two swim beaches on a warm shallow lake ringed by old-growth forest; summer kayak/SUP rentals and shave-ice stand; Discover Pass required. lake

Details change — check the venue's site before heading out. Spot an error or a missing place? Tell us.