Paddle Boarding Lake Washington: 20 Launch Points & Map | Chapin Adventures
Lake Washington has a launch for almost every kind of paddle: quiet wetlands, protected bays, city beaches and long open-water shorelines. The best spot is the one that matches that morning's wind, parking and your group's experience—not necessarily the closest pin on the map.
This guide compares 20 practical paddle board and kayak launches around Seattle, Kirkland, Bellevue, Renton, Mercer Island and the north lake. Hours and amenities come from the managing park agencies; water conditions are our practical guide, not a guarantee. Check the forecast and posted signs before launching.
Lake Washington paddle board launch map
Tap any marker for the launch name and directions. These are the most useful public park launches, not every informal street end. Blue markers are standard launches; green markers identify especially protected beginner or wetland water.
Seattle launches: west and south shore
1. Seward Park / Andrews Bay
Use Andrews Cove on the southwest side or the south hand-carry access. The bay gives beginners room to settle in before following Seward Park's forested shoreline. The open east side is more exposed to wind and wakes.
2. Pritchard Island Beach
A smaller Rainier Beach option with a quieter feel than the major parks. The cove and nearby wetlands can be pleasant in light wind, but respect restoration areas and keep clear of the guarded swim zone when it is operating.
3. Mount Baker Beach / Stan Sayres
A central Seattle launch with an open view toward Mercer Island. It is convenient but busier around rowing, hydroplane and boating events. Launch outside marked swimming areas and give the boat ramp a wide berth.
4. Madrona Park
A straightforward central-city beach with a beautiful east-facing view. It works best on a calm morning; easterly wind travels across a long stretch of lake before reaching this shore. Stay outside ropes and the lifeguarded swim area.
5. Madison Park Beach
Popular for a short shoreline paddle when conditions are smooth. Carry in at the main beach only where allowed and avoid the swim zone. Madison Park North Beach has a rock seawall and is not a suitable board launch.
6. Washington Park Arboretum / Foster Island
Launch from the small landing along Foster Island Road for a slow loop through inlets and lily pads. The Arboretum waterfront is intended for nonmotorized boats. Kayaks handle the narrow vegetation most easily; SUPs are great when the water is calm.
7. Magnuson Park
One of north Seattle's most versatile waterfront parks. Choose a dedicated hand-carry access instead of the motorized ramp when possible; Seattle requires a launch permit when the motorized ramp is used, even for a hand-carried craft.
8. Matthews Beach
The designated hand-carry shoreline is the 100-foot sandbar north of Thornton Creek. This is a friendly neighborhood option with a shallow approach, but stay clear of the creek restoration and summer swim area.
Kirkland and the north lake
9. Juanita Beach Park
A broad, shallow beach and one of Kirkland's official personal kayak/SUP launch sites. It is a comfortable place to get organized, especially early. Paddle the open shoreline—do not enter Juanita Bay Park's marked wildlife habitat.
10. O.O. Denny Park
A forested shoreline with an official hand launch and fewer city views. The carry from parking can be longer and steeper than a beach launch. The park is open, but the pedestrian bridge between the parking/restroom area and park has a current closure after tree damage.
11. Houghton Beach Park
An official Kirkland hand-carry launch near the Cross Kirkland Corridor. Check King County's current beach advisory before entering the water; Houghton has had recent bacteria closures, and water-quality status can change.
12. Marina Park
A lively downtown launch with food and coffee within walking distance. Use the designated hand-carry access and stay clear of marina traffic. This is better for paddlers comfortable around boats than for a first-ever session.
13. Saint Edward State Park
A scenic north-lake shoreline reached by a long, steep trail from the parking area. The beach is rocky and there is no easy waterfront lot, so this works only with a light inflatable board or kayak and people comfortable carrying it back uphill.
Bellevue and Eastside launches
14. Meydenbauer Bay Park
A polished Bellevue park with a proper hand-carry launch and protected inner bay. It offers one of the easiest combinations of calm water and amenities, though afternoon boat traffic grows near the marina.
15. Enatai Beach Park
An official nonmotorized launch and the most direct Lake Washington gateway to Mercer Slough. Explore the quiet slough or stay along shore. The bridge area and open lake can funnel wind and boat wakes.
16. Newcastle Beach Park
A large park with a nonmotorized launch and space for a relaxed shoreline paddle. It is less protected than Meydenbauer, so check south-lake wind before unloading.
Mercer Island launches
17. Luther Burbank Park
Three-quarters of a mile of shoreline, wetlands and small coves make this the most varied Mercer Island start. Stay near the island for a relaxed trip rather than treating the crossing to Seattle as a casual goal.
18. Groveland Beach Park
A compact west-side park with a swim beach and pier. It gives good Seattle views but catches open-lake traffic and can become extremely busy during Seafair. Launch only where posted rules allow and avoid the swim area.
19. Clarke Beach Park
A larger neighborhood park with piers and a summer swimming area. The southern shoreline can be a convenient alternative to Renton or Newcastle when winds are light.
Renton and the south lake
20. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
A practical south-lake base with full park amenities and easy access from Tukwila. It can be crowded on warm days, and paddlers should keep well clear of the motorized boat launch and marina traffic.
How to choose the right launch today
New paddler: choose Andrews Bay, Juanita Beach, Meydenbauer Bay or the Arboretum and stay inside the protected water. Longer shoreline paddle: Luther Burbank, Seward or Newcastle gives you room without requiring a lake crossing. Wildlife: use Foster Island or Mercer Slough, move slowly and keep distance from birds and beavers.
Lake Washington is usually friendliest early, before thermal wind and recreational boat traffic build. Check both wind speed and direction. Start by paddling into the breeze so the return is easier, keep crossings out of beginner plans and wear a properly fitted life jacket. Beach-water advisories, swim zones, events and construction can change access even when a park is open.
Portable rentals make the backup plan easy
Chapin Adventures gear picks up in Tukwila and packs inside a normal car—no roof rack or fixed rental dock. Every board or kayak rental includes paddles, USCG life jackets, electric pump, dry bag and waterproof phone case. If your first launch is windy or full, leave the gear packed and drive to the calmer side of the lake.
Choose the water first. Bring the rental second.
Reserve portable gear, check the morning wind and take it to the best Lake Washington launch for that day.
Book a Lake Washington paddle board or kayakWant smaller water? Compare Green Lake vs. Lake Union or explore the best places to paddle board near Seattle.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Park hours and access were checked August 4, 2026; follow current agency pages and posted signs.
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