The 10 Best State Park Beaches in Washington To Visit To Close Out Summer

Most of Washington's beaches are worlds away from being tropical, palm tree-studded Caribbean vacation destinations. Even in summer, you'll likely find a hefty dose of sand in your face (courtesy of the PNW's intense coastal wind), endless expanses of frigid water, and plenty of fellow beachgoers to keep you company. But, you can't deny that Washington's best beaches are gorgeous even in their moodiness, and fortunately for determined wave-chasers, late summer just happens to be Washington's prime time to shine with warmer water, fewer crowds, and plenty of sunshine.

If you're craving one last weekend of beach lounging or an encore speedboat lap before settling in for fall, look no further than Washington's state parks. While many national parks see a surge of last-minute visitors as travelers wrap up their summer bucket lists, Washington's state parks are blissfully quiet, especially when you look beyond the obvious coastal hotspots. For a gorgeous, late-summer outing, these underrated state park beaches in Washington are the perfect spots to soak up some end-of-season sunshine and make lasting summer memories.

1. Fort Ebey State Park

With its jewel-colored water and wide-open views, Fort Ebey State Park on Whidbey Island looks straight out of SoCal, but without the crowds. While Washington's largest island tends to draw its fair share of visitors in the height of summer, this 651-acre state park overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca is typically sought more by nature-loving locals, fishermen heading to Lake Pondilla, and those looking to explore the WWII remnants, rather than wild beachgoers. That said, there's still plenty of sand and lapping waves to love here, plus a few other must-try beach adventures if you're feeling extra bold. Bonus: the sunsets here are incredible.

2. Grayland Beach State Park

Often overshadowed by Ocean Shores, nearby Grayland Beach State Park stays relatively mellow year-round—even more so once many families have wrapped up their summer adventures or gone back to school. Grayland Beach offers a uniquely long, flat expanse of soft sand backed by low dunes that are an absolute dream for peaceful walks along the water, flying kites, and listening to the surf without fighting crowds. Late summer also often brings brilliantly clear evenings, perfect for beach camping.

3. Jarrell Cove State Park

Literally tucked into the lush folds of Harstine Island, Jarrell Cove State Park is an overlooked saltwater gem that hits its stride in late summer. The water’s just warm enough to dip in, paddleboard on, or kayak through the placid, opal-colored waters, but for landlubbers, there's also plenty of space to kick back and watch the clouds drift by. This cozy, two-armed nook is packed with wildlife, so if checking birds off on your birdwatching app while you lounge on a beach towel is your jam, this park is pretty idyllic.

4. Fort Worden State Park

Who doesn't love a good beach lighthouse? Tucked away on the scenic northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Fort Worden Historical State Park was once a turn-of-the-century military base. Now, this 432-acre park invites visitors to explore its historic bunkers, restored Victorian-era buildings, and enjoy panoramic views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. Beach lovers can stroll along the park's driftwood-strewn beaches, hike forested trails, climb up to the Point Wilson Lighthouse for a picture-perfect sunset, or get out on the water.

5. Joemma Beach State Park

If you need one last high-speed boat outing before you put her to rest for the season, Joemma Beach State Park is a quiet, underrated spot for an epic foray on the water. Located on the quiet southern end of the Key Peninsula, Joemma Beach is often overlooked, which means you'll likely have the narrow shoreline all to yourself. The park features a gentle shoreline, both sand and pebble beaches, and stunning views of the Puget Sound and nearby islands—not to mention a dreamy pier that shows off those summer sunsets to perfection.

6. Scenic Beach State Park

And speaking of sunsets... perhaps one of the most aptly-named state parks in Washington, Scenic Beach State Park sits right on the shores of Hood Canal and shows off stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. Boating and camping are an absolute dream! The pebble beaches here are perfect for relaxing, while the forested surroundings offer endless shade and birdwatching opportunities. But the best part (besides the beach lounging, of course) might just be the native Rhododendron dotting the park. They likely won't still be blooming in late summer, but the lush, green foliage makes any outing here feel like a secret garden retreat.

7. Leadbetter Point State Park

Leadbetter Point State Park is located at the northern tip of Washington's Long Beach Peninsula and is typically a peaceful, scenic alternative to the crowds of Long Beach. It's also one of the few places in Washington where ocean beach, bay shoreline, coastal forest, and tidal marsh all meet in one compact area. This overlooked state park sits at the edge of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge (the refuge also has additional hiking trails), which protects one of the most intact estuarine systems on the West Coast. That means as you lounge on the beach, you'll have a prime front-row seat for birdwatching too. Few other parks in the state offer this kind of access to both beach and estuary environments without development or crowds, which makes it feel like a true edge-of-the-map destination.

8. Pearrygin Lake State Park

The Pacific coast is undeniably stunning, but those in the heart of Central Washington have plenty of beach opportunities as well. Part of what makes Pearrygin Lake State Park special is its location: a full-summer beach setup dropped into the middle of eastern Washington’s dry, open range near Winthrop. It’s one of the few places in this region where you can find a swim-friendly lake with docks, lawns, camping, and boat access, backed by sagebrush hills instead of forest. In late summer, the lake stays warm, the skies are impossibly clear, and the beach scene feels simple and nostalgic even as other parks start to cool off. Pearrygin Lake also happens to be one of my personal favorite parks in the state to do some late-night stargazing.

9. Fort Flagler State Park

Hidden quietly on Marrowstone Island, Fort Flagler State Park is most widely known for its old military ruins, but history isn't all this 1,400-acre state park near Port Townsend has to offer. Fort Flagler also has 3.6 miles of sandy, secluded beaches perfect for beachcombing, picnicking, swimming, and exploring, plus pretty hiking trails and epic water views. With its three sides of waterfront beauty colliding with a century's worth of history, this state park is easily one of the best-kept secrets in Western Washington.

10. Tolmie State Park

Tolmie State Park is a petite beach and forest park on Puget Sound, just north of Olympia. In late summer, the tide flats warm up, the temperature stays mild, and the beach fills up with families digging for clams, skipping rocks, and wading in the shallow water. You'll find a mix of forested trails, picnic shelters, and easy beach access with plenty of parking close to the water, but what makes Tolmie unique is its mix of saltwater shoreline and active shellfish harvesting—all within reach of the city, but still quiet enough to feel like a true beach getaway.

As vacation season winds down, water temps peak, and the bugs (and crowds) thin out, you'll find that late summer is definitely the sweet spot to pay a visit to one of Washington's many state park beaches. With over 140 parks to choose from, the Evergreen State's mix of coastal and inland shoreline ensures that, whether you’re chasing waves or chasing quiet days on a lake spent watching the water ripple in the breeze, there’s something for every beachgoer, even as warmer days fade in the rearview mirror.