It’s been a pretty warm spring in Washington, and now summer is right around the corner. There’s no better way to cool off on a hot day than by wading into a beautiful lake or river, and our state happens to be full of excellent spots for swimming. If you’ll be close to any of these 12 swimming holes in Washington this summer, make sure to check them out.
1. Little Spokane River, Spokane
beyondboundariesphotography / Flickr You’ll find Pine River Park on East Greenleaf Drive north of Wandermere Golf Course, which is a great spot for going for a swim in the Little Spokane River and is one of the best swimming holes in Washington. Little Spokane River, Washington, USA
2. Rocky Brook Falls, Brinnon
Donna K. / TripAdvisor Located on the beautiful Hood Canal, Rocky Brook Falls is easily accessible from Highway 101 and has a refreshing pool at the bottom of the waterfall that’s perfect for swimming. Rocky Brook Falls, 2405 Dosewallips Rd, Brinnon, WA 98320, USA
3. Pacman Cliff, near Ellensburg
belle_sea / TripAdvisor Once known as “Smiley Face,” Pacman Cliff is located on the Yakima River near Ellensburg off State Route 821. There’s a nice, low cliff for jumping into the water (and a high cliff, if you’re feeling daring). Pacman Cliff EllensburgPacman Cliff
4. Palouse Falls, LaCrosse
Michael Matti / Flickr Palouse Falls is one of Eastern Washington’s most beautiful gems. Take a dip in the pools alongside the waterfalls for a scenic swim. Palouse Falls, Washington 99143, USA
5. Bear Lake, Chattaroy
Wikimedia From Spokane, head north on Highway 2 and you’ll find Bear Lake County Park. If you go on a weekday, you’re not likely to see much of a crowd. North Bear Lake Road, N Bear Lake Rd, Washington 99003, USA
6. Dougan Creek Falls, Skamania County
Sean T. / Yelp Located near Stevenson, Dougan Creek slides 12 feet into a beautiful little pool. The pool at the base of the waterfall is also a perfect swimming spot. Dougan Creek, Washington 98671, USA
7. Douglas Falls Campground, near Colville
Washington DNR / Flickr The Douglas Falls Campground is a clean, well-maintained place to camp, and the area is also available for day use. In addition to the nearby Douglas Falls, you’ll find a long, quiet creek where you can go for a swim. Douglas Falls Road, Douglas Falls Rd, Washington 99114, USA
8. Eagle Falls, Snohomish County
David Ren/Google Local The Eagle Falls swimming hole has a nice, deep pool and a rope swing for swimmers to use. This is a popular place during summer months, and for good reason-it’s one of the best swimming holes in Washington state. Eagle Falls, Washington 98251, USA
9. Boulder Beach Park , Spokane Valley
Mary Hanahan/Google Local Boulder Beach is located next to the Centennial Trail across from Camp Sekani Park, and it’s a well-loved local swimming spot. Boulder Beach, Washington 98331, USA
10. Marsh Park, Kirkland
Sheraz M. / Yelp This is Kirkland’s quieter waterfront park, and it’s every bit as beautiful as the others. This peaceful area is great for sunbathing, watching boats pass by, picnicking and, of course, swimming. Marsh Park, 6605 Lake Washington Blvd NE, Kirkland, WA 98033, USA
11. Battle Ground Lake, Battle Ground
Bill H. / TripAdvisor You’d never know that this serene park is actually nestled in a volcanic crater at the foothills of the Cascades. Explore the hiking trails and then cool off in the beautiful lake. Battle Ground Lake State Park, 18002 NE 249th St, Battle Ground, WA 98604, USA
12. Denny-Blaine Park, Seattle
Wikipedia/Joe Mabel Located on Lake Washington, enjoy a grass beach, volleyball pit and picnic areas, but expect topless sunbathers known to frequent the area. Denny Blaine Park, 200 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
Do you have a favorite swimming hole in Washington?
beyondboundariesphotography / Flickr
You’ll find Pine River Park on East Greenleaf Drive north of Wandermere Golf Course, which is a great spot for going for a swim in the Little Spokane River and is one of the best swimming holes in Washington.
Little Spokane River, Washington, USA
Donna K. / TripAdvisor
Located on the beautiful Hood Canal, Rocky Brook Falls is easily accessible from Highway 101 and has a refreshing pool at the bottom of the waterfall that’s perfect for swimming.
Rocky Brook Falls, 2405 Dosewallips Rd, Brinnon, WA 98320, USA
belle_sea / TripAdvisor
Once known as “Smiley Face,” Pacman Cliff is located on the Yakima River near Ellensburg off State Route 821. There’s a nice, low cliff for jumping into the water (and a high cliff, if you’re feeling daring).
Pacman Cliff EllensburgPacman Cliff
Michael Matti / Flickr
Palouse Falls is one of Eastern Washington’s most beautiful gems. Take a dip in the pools alongside the waterfalls for a scenic swim.
Palouse Falls, Washington 99143, USA
Wikimedia
From Spokane, head north on Highway 2 and you’ll find Bear Lake County Park. If you go on a weekday, you’re not likely to see much of a crowd.
North Bear Lake Road, N Bear Lake Rd, Washington 99003, USA
Sean T. / Yelp
Located near Stevenson, Dougan Creek slides 12 feet into a beautiful little pool. The pool at the base of the waterfall is also a perfect swimming spot.
Dougan Creek, Washington 98671, USA
Washington DNR / Flickr
The Douglas Falls Campground is a clean, well-maintained place to camp, and the area is also available for day use. In addition to the nearby Douglas Falls, you’ll find a long, quiet creek where you can go for a swim.
Douglas Falls Road, Douglas Falls Rd, Washington 99114, USA
David Ren/Google Local
The Eagle Falls swimming hole has a nice, deep pool and a rope swing for swimmers to use. This is a popular place during summer months, and for good reason-it’s one of the best swimming holes in Washington state.
Eagle Falls, Washington 98251, USA
Mary Hanahan/Google Local
Boulder Beach is located next to the Centennial Trail across from Camp Sekani Park, and it’s a well-loved local swimming spot.
Boulder Beach, Washington 98331, USA
Sheraz M. / Yelp
This is Kirkland’s quieter waterfront park, and it’s every bit as beautiful as the others. This peaceful area is great for sunbathing, watching boats pass by, picnicking and, of course, swimming.
Marsh Park, 6605 Lake Washington Blvd NE, Kirkland, WA 98033, USA
Bill H. / TripAdvisor
You’d never know that this serene park is actually nestled in a volcanic crater at the foothills of the Cascades. Explore the hiking trails and then cool off in the beautiful lake.
Battle Ground Lake State Park, 18002 NE 249th St, Battle Ground, WA 98604, USA
Wikipedia/Joe Mabel
Located on Lake Washington, enjoy a grass beach, volleyball pit and picnic areas, but expect topless sunbathers known to frequent the area.
Denny Blaine Park, 200 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Swimming Holes In Washington May 28, 2022 SKS What’s the most beautiful lake in Washington? Colchuck Lake Colchuck Lake is almost definitely the most beautiful lake in Washington state, and maybe the entire United States. This glacier lake has some of the bluest water around and is absolutely breathtaking. It can be reached only by hiking trail, and it is about 4.5 miles each way, but your effort will be well worth it as the view is really unlike any you’ve ever seen before. Upon reaching Colchuck Lake, you’ll be surrounded by towering mountains, towering pines, and if it’s the right time of year, glistening snowfields, all surrounding the stunningly beautiful Colchuck Lake. What is the most popular hike in Washington? Boulder River Trail The Boulder River Trail is one of Washington’s most popular walks, and for good reason. This 9-mile trip is located in Arlington, Washington, and it offers everything a great hike should have! You’ll wonder why you waited so long to visit the Boulder River Trail as you stroll through old-growth forests, along rivers, over wooden foot bridges, and beside waterfalls. What is the most scenic lake hike in Washington? Lake 22 Trail Deep in Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, you can find Lake 22 Trail—the most scenic lake hike in the whole state of Washington. This hike has 1,500 feet of elevation gain over 7 miles, making it a moderate difficulty hike, but don’t let this deter you. The stunning view of Lake 22 under Mount Pilchuck is enough to make you forget your tired feet! Along the way, you’ll travel through rainforests, wetlands, old-growth forests, and mountains, giving you a taste of everything Washington has to offer in a single hike!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Swimming Holes In Washington
May 28, 2022
SKS
What’s the most beautiful lake in Washington? Colchuck Lake Colchuck Lake is almost definitely the most beautiful lake in Washington state, and maybe the entire United States. This glacier lake has some of the bluest water around and is absolutely breathtaking. It can be reached only by hiking trail, and it is about 4.5 miles each way, but your effort will be well worth it as the view is really unlike any you’ve ever seen before. Upon reaching Colchuck Lake, you’ll be surrounded by towering mountains, towering pines, and if it’s the right time of year, glistening snowfields, all surrounding the stunningly beautiful Colchuck Lake. What is the most popular hike in Washington? Boulder River Trail The Boulder River Trail is one of Washington’s most popular walks, and for good reason. This 9-mile trip is located in Arlington, Washington, and it offers everything a great hike should have! You’ll wonder why you waited so long to visit the Boulder River Trail as you stroll through old-growth forests, along rivers, over wooden foot bridges, and beside waterfalls. What is the most scenic lake hike in Washington? Lake 22 Trail Deep in Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, you can find Lake 22 Trail—the most scenic lake hike in the whole state of Washington. This hike has 1,500 feet of elevation gain over 7 miles, making it a moderate difficulty hike, but don’t let this deter you. The stunning view of Lake 22 under Mount Pilchuck is enough to make you forget your tired feet! Along the way, you’ll travel through rainforests, wetlands, old-growth forests, and mountains, giving you a taste of everything Washington has to offer in a single hike!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Colchuck Lake
Colchuck Lake is almost definitely the most beautiful lake in Washington state, and maybe the entire United States. This glacier lake has some of the bluest water around and is absolutely breathtaking. It can be reached only by hiking trail, and it is about 4.5 miles each way, but your effort will be well worth it as the view is really unlike any you’ve ever seen before. Upon reaching Colchuck Lake, you’ll be surrounded by towering mountains, towering pines, and if it’s the right time of year, glistening snowfields, all surrounding the stunningly beautiful Colchuck Lake.
What is the most popular hike in Washington?
Boulder River Trail
The Boulder River Trail is one of Washington’s most popular walks, and for good reason. This 9-mile trip is located in Arlington, Washington, and it offers everything a great hike should have! You’ll wonder why you waited so long to visit the Boulder River Trail as you stroll through old-growth forests, along rivers, over wooden foot bridges, and beside waterfalls.
What is the most scenic lake hike in Washington?
Lake 22 Trail
Deep in Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, you can find Lake 22 Trail—the most scenic lake hike in the whole state of Washington. This hike has 1,500 feet of elevation gain over 7 miles, making it a moderate difficulty hike, but don’t let this deter you. The stunning view of Lake 22 under Mount Pilchuck is enough to make you forget your tired feet! Along the way, you’ll travel through rainforests, wetlands, old-growth forests, and mountains, giving you a taste of everything Washington has to offer in a single hike!
