76°
Mostly Sunny
1%
71
King County, WA · Puget Sound
Saltwater State Park
25205 8th Pl S, Des Moines, WA 98198
137 acres of driftwood shore and forested creek ravine two miles off I-5, halfway between Seattle and Tacoma. The only Washington state park with a purpose-built underwater artificial reef, which makes it the most-used shore dive on the east side of the Sound — sea stars, urchins, lingcod, and rockfish. Salmon spawn in McSorley Creek in autumn.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for a beach walk.
58°F water · 76°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North northwest wind around 7 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. North northeast wind 1 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 76°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — mostly sunny
Water
- 58°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
71 /100
great
58 Swim
83 Sunbathe
87 Walk
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
7 mph
NNW
Rain
1%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
8 Very High
High 12 PM–03 PM · burn in ~25m
Burn-free before 10 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
Water
Water Temp
58°F
Cold
Next Low Tide
11:05 PM
4.3 ft · in 3.8h
Barometer
30.27 inHg
1025 hPa · buoy TCNW1
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:38 AM
Sunset
7:34 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
71°
Mostly Cloudy
9%
61
69°
Cloudy
1%
59
69°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
51%
13
69°
Slight Chance Light Rain then Partly Sunny
19%
60
71°
Mostly Sunny
3%
68
71°
Mostly Sunny
8%
67
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 8 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 58°F — dangerously cold
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Paved day-use lot; fills on summer weekends. Discover Pass required.
Dogs
Leashed dogs allowed.
Entry Fee
WA Discover Pass $10/day or $45/year.
Address
25205 8th Pl S, Des Moines, WA 98198
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Saltwater State Park today?
Saltwater State Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Saltwater State Park dog-friendly?
Leashed dogs allowed.
Is there an entry fee at Saltwater State Park?
WA Discover Pass $10/day or $45/year.
Are there lifeguards at Saltwater State Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Saltwater State Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Saltwater State Park?
Amenities at Saltwater State Park include restrooms, campground, artificial reef (scuba), tide pools, picnic tables, forest trails.
When is the water warmest at Saltwater State Park?
Puget Sound and the Salish Sea stay cold year-round. Surface temperatures peak in late July and August at roughly 55-62°F, and the deeper channels stay in the low 50s. Swimming is short-dip territory for most people; wetsuits are normal. Shallow, sun-warmed bays like Birch Bay run several degrees warmer than the open Sound.
Where is Saltwater State Park located?
Saltwater State Park is in King County, WA, at 25205 8th Pl S, Des Moines, WA 98198.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS