The Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide burn ban restricting the use of outdoor burning, campfires, the use of charcoal briquettes, and prescribed burns on all forest lands within DNR’s fire protection, including all Washington State Parks, through Sept. 30, 2024. This date may be extended or shortened depending on fire conditions. For more information, visit our Alerts page.
Schedule for the Plunge:
Registration opens 10:30
First Day Hikes w/WSP Interpretive Specialist: 10:30 & 11:00
Costume Contest judging: 11:30
Plunge at 12:00
Washington State Parks also invites the public to ring in the new year during its annual First Day Hikes event on Jan. 1, 2024. Hikes will be an invigorating 15 to 20 minutes. An all-ages experience, these roughly half mile hikes will feature uneven terrain. Weather dependent the trail may be slippery, icy or snow-covered. Please dress for the weather and bring sturdy shoes. Meet the WSP interpretive specialist at the registration table for a 10:30 or 11:00 hike.
First Day Hikes is a national initiative led by America’s State Parks, encouraging people to get outdoors on New Year’s Day. Last year, nearly 55,000 people hiked over 133,000 miles during these free events throughout the nation. New Year’s Day also marks the first state-managed land free day of 2023. Visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park at Lake Sammamish State Park.
Ivar’s will be onsite to serve complimentary clam chowder!
COSTUME Contest:
Costume contest – Gather your friends or colleagues together and organize a team, or just come solo. Costumes and team t-shirts are encouraged! Spectators are welcome to come out to cheer on the athletes as they take a dunk in the chilly waters of Lake Sammamish. Here’s your opportunity to win $50 and a Washington State Parks Discover Pass.
This year’s costume contest includes three categories:
Holiday Festiviness- antlers, polar bears, dreidels, oh my! Any way you celebrate the season, we want to celebrate with you!
80’s Throwback- crimped hair, leg warmers, neon. Synthesizer music optional
Pacific Northwest- we want to see your creativity!
Costume contest participants will indicate interest at check in and costume contest will occur on the main stage at 11:20
Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park is a 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to enhancing and improving Lake Sammamish State Park for the benefit of the entire community.