Swimming Beaches

Although SPR is still in the midst of a national lifeguard shortage facing many park agencies, the following sites will be operational this summer. (Two pools, two wading pools, and three beaches will be non-operational until there is sufficient staff to maintain safety ratios.)

Please know, we are working hard to recruit, train, and hire more lifeguards and wading pool attendants so we can return to full operational hours, and we encourage the public to please share our lifeguard job opportunities with your networks.

2023 Pre-Season Lifeguarded Beaches

Beginning Saturday, May 27*

*Monday 5/29 only: pre-season beaches will be gaurded from 11am - 7pm (instead of 2 - 7pm)  due to the holiday.

Weekdays 2pm – 7pm; Weekends 11am – 7pm:

• Madrona Beach, 853 Lake Washington Blvd.
• West Green Lake Beach, 7312 W Green Lake Dr. 

2023 Summer Season Lifeguarded Beaches

Beginning Saturday, June 24. 

Weekdays 12pm - 7pm; Weekends 11am - 7pm:

• Madison Beach, 1900 43rd Ave. E 
• Matthews Beach, 510 NE 93rd. St.
• Mt. Baker Beach, 2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S
• Pritchard Island Beach, 8400 55th Ave. S 
• West Green Lake Beach, 7312 W Green Lake Dr.
• Madrona Beach, 853 Lake Washington Blvd. 

The following beaches will not be lifeguarded and are closed this summer: 

Magnuson Park Beach
Seward Park Beach 
East Green Lake Beach

Free Beach Swim Lessons

Free Swim Lessons are offered at all lifeguarded beaches. Lessons are for youth ages 6-16, and take place 12:15-12:45pm, Monday-Friday. The summer is divided into four 2-week sessions. Sign up in advance for one session per youth. Drop-ins are welcome if space is available.

Lessons are weather dependent and will not take place if the beach is closed for inclement weather, wildfire smoke, or water quality issues. Lessons are also occasionally cancelled on very hot days if the beach is too busy for lifeguard staff to run lessons. In these cases, the beach will still be open for supervised swimming, and we would encourage lesson participants to practice on their own.

Session 1

7/5-7/14 (shortened due to holiday week)

Session 2

7/17-7/28

Session 3

7/31-8/11

Session 4

8/14-8/25

Sign up in advance by phone (206) 684-4078 or email parksaquatics@seattle.gov (starting 6/1), or sign up in person at the beach (starting 6/24). Please provide the following information:

• Participant’s name and DOB
• Parent/Guardian’s name and best contact number
• Preferred location(s)
• Preferred session(s)