Houghton Beach Park
Rate this placeNearby: Marsh Park Carillon Woods
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Houghton Beach Park is a waterfront park located in Kirkland, Washington, that offers numerous activities for visitors.
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Summary
The park's beach provides opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing. There is also a playground for children, picnic tables, and barbecue grills. The park is a popular location for events and gatherings due to its scenic views of Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline.
One of the main attractions of Houghton Beach Park is its public dock, which is perfect for fishing or launching a kayak or canoe. The park also features a sandy beach area that is ideal for sunbathing or playing in the water. Visitors can enjoy the park's walking trail, which provides a beautiful view of the lake and is perfect for a leisurely stroll.
One interesting fact about Houghton Beach Park is that it was once a popular landing spot for seaplanes in the early 20th century. The park also has a historic marker that explains its significance as a Native American fishing site.
The best time of year to visit Houghton Beach Park is during the summer months when the weather is warmer, and the water is more inviting. However, the park is open year-round and provides stunning views of the lake during all seasons.
Overall, Houghton Beach Park is an excellent location for families, couples, and those who enjoy outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. With its ample amenities and stunning views, it's easy to see why this park is a popular destination for visitors to Washington State.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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