Newcastle Beach Park
Bellevue's largest swim beach with playground and trails.
Quick facts
At a glance
- Neighborhood
- Newport
- Phone
- +1-425-452-6885
- Hours
- 6am-11pm
Why you'll love it
An editor's take
It is the Bellevue swim beach with the widest sand, the largest playground, and the longest paved walking loop — the one you go to when you want a full afternoon at the water without competing for space. Newcastle rewards a slower visit than Chism or Meydenbauer: bring bikes, a picnic, and plan to stay through sunset.
Highlights
What makes it special
- 28 acres — the largest of Bellevue's lifeguarded swim beaches
- Lifeguards on duty noon–7pm daily through Labor Day
- Wide sand swim beach with a shallow, roped-off children's area
- 1.5-mile paved loop trail suitable for strollers, bikes, and joggers
- Large playground, fishing pier, picnic shelter with grills, and wooded upper trail
- Free admission, free parking (a lot substantially larger than Chism or Meydenbauer)
What you'll experience
The visit, in detail
The main parking lot is set well back from the water; a short paved walk drops through second-growth forest to the beach. The playground is on your left as you approach the beach; the fishing pier and swim area are ahead. Unlike Chism, the beach is wide enough that families spread out along the sand without piling up on the lawn. The 1.5-mile loop trail traces the eastern edge of the park and is a favorite of joggers and stroller walks; it stays cool under tree cover even on hot afternoons. Sunset from the pier is one of the reliably good Eastside sunset viewpoints.
Best time
When to visit
Weekday afternoons in July and AugustWeekend mornings before 10:30
11:00-15:00 for swim; 18:00-20:30 for sunset from the pier
Lifeguards Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Off-season the park remains open with the loop trail and playground as the primary draws.
Accessibility
Getting around
- Restrooms
- Accessible restrooms at the beach and near the playground
- Parking
- Free lot with multiple ADA stalls off Lake Washington Blvd SE
Nearby
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Bridle Trails
Come prepared
Visitor checklist
- Swim gear, towel, and sunscreen
- Water and snacks (no concessions on site)
- Bikes or a stroller if you want to use the loop trail
- A layer for sunset — the pier gets breezy after the sun drops
Practical
Know before you go
Newcastle's parking lot is larger than Bellevue's other swim-beach lots but still fills on peak summer weekends between 11am and noon. On heat-wave weekends the park closes the gate temporarily. Alcohol is not permitted. There is no concession stand. The swim area is roped off at a shallow depth; the pier drops into deep water and is not part of the lifeguarded zone.
Details
Hours & contact
Hours
- Daily
- 6am-11pm
Contact
- Address
- 4400 Lake Washington Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA 98006
- Phone
- +1-425-452-6885
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