12 EPIC SWIM LOCATIONS IN WASHINGTON

Our beautiful state is home to thousands of rivers so naturally there are tons of gorgeous nature pools and lakes. 

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The summers in Washington have been pretty hot which is perfect weather to get out and swim. The nature pools here are unreal with their crystal clear water and natural green/blue hues.
If you love to find natural swim spots on your adventures then here are 12 awesome spots for you:

Caution: Rivers after rain and during certain times of the year can be

 very dangerous with fast currents. Be cautious with currents and even under currents. 

Use extreme caution with cliff jumping.

Please use Leave No Trace when enjoying these locations. 

1. Green River Gorge

Location: Franklin

Distance from Seattle: 1hr

Pass: None but need $5 cash per person

This fun location is a gorge with a river flowing through it that also features a waterfall. This river
has a unique green color and offers a rope swing, cliff jumping and tubing.

The green river gorge is separated in two parts to get down to the river. For the first part, park at the main lot for Franklin ghost town and there is a yellow sign “river trail”. The trail is right next to a yellow $5 Box to the left of the parking lot. The first part is a short hike but still a must because you have a good view of the waterfall from across the way. After hiking the to the waterfall (less than 1 mile) walk  back up the trail and you will find a clear path down to the river. 

To get to the second part, which is located across the river, you can walk over or drive. It is just a five minute walk. Walk out of the parking lot and go right and cross the bridge. At the bridge you will see the waterfall from above. Once you cross the bridge there is a green building on the left. Walk to the building and enter the gate and go down the stairs. This swim location is privately owned so please practice leave no trace so that it does not get shut down again. 

2. Lake Cushman

Location: Olympic Peninsula in Mason County

Distance from Seattle: 2hrs

Dog and kid friendly

This Lake offers numerous summer activities: cliff jumping, a hidden rope swing, boating, Jet Skiing, Kayaking, tubing, etc. Lake Cushman is a 4,010-acre lake and has several different spots to cliff jump. Not only jumping off the bridge but several rocks to choose from. (Watch out for the tree stumps in the lake when jumping off rocks)

This area is popular in the summer months and can make parking difficult. Arrive early to get a good spot.
If you want to extend your adventure there are a few hikes in the area. Staircase rapids is a wonderful hike that follows along a river. It is not far down the road and is in the Olympic National Park where camping is available. You would need the America the Beautiful pass for this area to hike. 

3. Devils Punch Bowl at Lake Crescent

Location: Olympic Peninsula near Port Angeles

Distance from Seattle: 3hrs

Pass: None

Dog and Kid friendly 

This lake is UNREAL with clear water and a gorgeous blue color. To get to the Devils Punchbowl park at the Spruce Railroad Trailhead. It is only about 1mile hike to get to this swim spot which offers several spots to cliff jump. You can continue hiking on the flat trail and find other spots to swim. Some people like to use this trail to ride their bikes since it is flat.
You can rent kayaks at nearby resorts. 

4. Dougan Falls

Location: Washougal 

Distance from Seattle: 3.5hr

Pass: Discover

Dog and Kid Friendly

This huge nature pool is right off the road next to the parking area. It is a short walk but a little steep to walk down to. This gorgeous location features a cascading waterfall plunging into a huge nature pool. Down stream are more places to swim in the river. Up stream there is another swim location called Naked Falls. This is a nice pool to float on your floaty. 

5. Deschutes Falls Park

Location: Yelm

Distance from Seattle: 1hr 40mins

Pass: Discover 

Dog and Kid Friendly

Very short hike to the waterfall and nature pools (Less than a mile). This location is tubing, cliff jumping and swimming fun.  We used our inner tubes to relax in the pools.
The park recently opened up after being closed for 25 years and cost the city $150k so please practice leave no trace and don’t go passed the fence at the waterfall. 

To get to the nature pool you just stay on the main trail and go passed the trail that leads to the waterfall. Soon the trail will be faint, at this point turn right and you will hit the river. This is where the main nature pool is located. You can explore more up stream. There is a port-a-potty at the parking lot. The parking area is small. 

7. Denny Creek 

Location: North Bend off i90

Distance from Seattle: 1hr

Pass: America the Beautiful or Northwest Forest 

Kid and Dog Friendly

This hike is perfect for the summer and a blast. These pools are a great way to cool off during your hike. The trail starts off through the forest and then you hit the river where you can climb boulders and rock hop up stream to many nature pools and waterfalls. Or you can stay on the trail if you choose. You can hike all the way to Melakwa lake which would be 8.5 miles round trip. 

8. Split Rock

Location: Gold Bar off HWY 2

Distance from Seattle: 1hr

Pass: None

Kid and Dog Friendly

Another one located right off HWY 2 and at sunset this place is calm and beautiful. My friend saw this spot from the road as we were coming back from a hike and pulled into the tiny parking area to have a look. What a gorgeous gem. There is a rope on split rock which I will assume people use to climb up split rock. The water is crystal clear and looks like an amazing place to swim. 

9. Nature Pool on Twin Falls Trail

Location: North Bend near i90

Distance from Seattle: 35mins

Pass: Discover

Kid and Dog Friendly

For this swim spot you would park in the same parking lot for Twin Falls and hike about 1 mile on the trail. There is a faint trail to the right at some point where it leads down to this nature pool. It is not hard to find and so beautiful. This is a lovely hidden gem. This would be a great nature pool to grab your floaty and relax on. 

10. Salmon La Sac

Location: Cle Elum near i90

Distance from Seattle: 2hrs

Pass: America the Beautiful or Northwest Forest

Kid and Dog Friendly 

Had a blast exploring and swimming around this area. We adventured here on a Tuesday and it was a bit crowded, so I can imagine the weekends being very packed. This is a fun area for cliff jumping as well as using the rope swing. (Use caution with the rope swing.)
The nature pool is a short hike from the parking area ( about 0.2 mile) but you can continue hiking on the trail if you choose. There is a bathroom near the parking area. 

12. Colchuck Lake

Location: Leavenworth

Distance from Seattle: 3hrs

Pass: America the Beautiful or Northwest Forest

Kid friendly depending on Kid

This hike is considered to be a moderate or difficult trail which makes jumping in the lake so rewarding. The trail starts easy by following a river and has a few bridge crossings. Then the trail has more incline and the views get better. At the lake there is a boulder that some people choose to jump off. The water is very cold but on a hot day it is refreshing. 

The hike is 8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2280ft. 

For more recommended hikes around Washington please head here: facebook.com/groups/HikeWashington
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