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Situated between Bellevue and Seattle, Mercer Island is the only island in Lake Washington. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of spots to access the lake dotted across the island, from Clarke Beach Park in the south to spacious Luther Burbank Park in the north.
On the eastern banks of Lake Washington, Kirkland and its surrounding towns offer easy access to the lake to residents and visitors alike, with numerous waterfront parks available for public use. This area also offers some of the best fishing opportunities on the lake, with public piers at Juanita Beach Park, Waverly Beach Park, Houghton beach Park, Marsh Park, David E Brink Park, and Settlers Landing. Expect to find RV parks and private campgrounds in the area.
Spread out over 326 acres on the northeastern shores of Lake Washington, this state park offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails. With around 3,000 feet of shoreline, the park is a great spot for accessing the lake—fishing and kayaking are particularly popular activities here.