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 10:30 a.m. 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 10:30
• First Day Hikes w/WSP Interpretive Specialist: 10:30 & 11:00
• Costume Contest judging: 11:30
• Plunge at 12:00
• Ivar’s will be onsite to serve complimentary clam chowder!

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.

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

Visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park at Lake Sammamish State Park.