Make a splash at the Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Sammamish State Park !

Polar Plunge returns on New Year’s Day 2024. Festivities will begin at 10:30AM with registration, music, and merriment on the shores of Sunset Beach. The crowd will “plunge” at noon.

The first 300 registered participants will receive a Polar Plunge souvenir pair of socks, souvenir pin, commemorative sticker and other coupons and swag from our event partners, including Ivar's and Campfire Coffee. Registration fee is a $10 minimum donation per person.

Schedule for the Plunge:

Registration opens 10:30AM

• First Day Hikes w/WSP Interpretive Specialist: 10:30AM & 11:00AM

• Costume Contest judging: 11:30AM

• Plunge at 12:00PM

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 10:30AM or 11:00AM 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!

When and Where

Date & Time: January 1, 2024, 10:30AM - 12:30PM
Where: Lake Sammamish State Park, Sunset Beach

Additional Details

Discover Pass NOT required.
Registration fee $10.