Madison Park Beach – Calm Water and Easy Parking on Lake …

Madison Park Beach sits at the midpoint of Lake Washington’s west shore — north of Leschi, south of Madrona — in one of Seattle’s quieter east-facing neighborhoods. The water here is calm most mornings, the beach is sandy and wide, and parking is easier to manage than Matthews Beach further north. It is not the flashiest launch point on the lake, but it is reliably accessible and centrally located for mid-lake routes.

The Launch

The beach runs along E Madison St where it meets the lake. The main public access is at the foot of E Madison St, with a sand beach that provides easy carry-in access for SUP boards. A small dock extends from the north end of the beach area.

Address: E Madison St & Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112

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Parking: Street parking along Lake Washington Blvd E and in the Madison Park neighborhood. More available than Matthews Beach — the surrounding residential grid gives more overflow options. Weekday mornings are rarely a problem. Summer weekend afternoons fill the immediate street parking but the neighborhood blocks a short walk away usually have space.

On the Water

The lake here is mid-width — about 2 miles across to the Bellevue shore. Afternoon westerly winds create light to moderate chop; mornings are consistently calmer. The Evergreen Point floating bridge (SR-520) is visible to the north from the water, about 2 miles up the lake.

Swimming season brings more people to the beach but the launch area and open water remain manageable. Lifeguards are present at the main swim zone in summer — launch from the edges of the beach rather than through the swim area.

Routes

• North to Madrona: About 1 mile along the west shore. Wooded bluffs, residential docks, calm inshore water.
• South to Leschi Park: About 1.5 miles. Leschi Marina and the floating homes add interest to this stretch.
• East crossing to Bellevue: About 2 miles across open lake to Meydenbauer Beach Park. Do this on a calm morning — the crossing is exposed to whatever wind is running.
• North to the SR-520 bridge: About 2 miles. The bridge is a navigable landmark and can be paddled under.

Facilities

• Restrooms: Available at the park in season
• Lifeguards: Summer months at the designated swim area
• Nearby: Madison Park neighborhood has coffee shops and restaurants within 2 blocks — easy to combine a morning paddle with breakfast