Explore: Vasa Park Beach on Lake Sammamish

Dreaming of spending a carefree day on the lake with the kids?  Grab your sunscreen and beach chairs and look no further than the beautiful shores of Vasa Park Resort on Lake Sammamish.  Conveniently located on south end of the lake just off of I-90 in Bellevue, Vasa Park is a privately owned park and campground (entry fee for the day is just $3/person) featuring a large sandy beach with roped-in swimming areas and lifeguards on duty.  Toddlers will love wading with Mom or Dad in the shallow area or building sand castles (don’t forget your sand toys!), while bigger kids can explore the floating dock with diving board and double twisty water slides.

Encompassing swings, a merry go round, and climbing toys with slides, Vasa Park’s playground is fun for all ages.  Bring your cooler and enjoy lunch at one of the many picnic tables, or sprawl out on the grass and grab popsicles or a cold drink from the snack shack. Clean family bathrooms are located in the center of the park, and you can clean off your little ones’ sandy toes in the convenient outdoor faucets or indoor coin-op showers.  Vasa park is also available for private events and birthday parties. Nevertheless, be sure to check Vasa’s online calendar before you go as the park is occasionally closed for these events.  (Side note: Vasa Park also hosts a Day Camp for kids 6-12 in early August featuring Swedish language and cultural activities.)  Parking is located across the road from the park entrance; so you may want to bring a jogger or wagon to tote your kiddos and beach gear down to the lake.

So make a day of it this summer – the kids are sure to be begging to go back to Vasa Park again and again!

— Susan Ossinger