WASHINGTON SWIMMING HOLES |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | PORTLAND(OR), VANCOUVER(WA), BATTLE GROUND (WA) |
LAT, LON | lat=45.8211, lon=-122.4518(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:general area) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | WA |
WATER | Varies -see below |
TYPE | River/Falls |
DESCRIPTION | Several swimming places,some offical some not, on the East Fork of the Lewis River and other rivers near Battle Ground, which is just northeast of Vancouver, WA. See DIRECTIONS below for details.
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AREA | County Parks and Gifford Pinchot N. F. |
SANCTION | Varies |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Full facilities at county parks |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming, Jumping |
PHONE | unknown |
CAMPING | Unknown |
BATHING SUITS | Varies -see below |
DIRECTIONS | In Vancouver (WA) from I-205, take exit 30 then RT 500 north. Where RT 500 turns east (right) keep straight onto RT 503. Follow RT 503 north though Union, Bush Prairie and Battle Ground. Then: | LEWISVILLE COUNTY PARK [LEWI]: Official swimming place in East Fork of the Lewis River in county park. Bathing suits for sure. Other facilities, fee unknown. To get here, continue north on RT 503 past Battle Ground and see signs for park. Swimming place is in river in park. Park Web Site LAT, LON lat=45.82044, lon=-122.53519(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 2/2/2007. MOULTON FALLS COUNTY PARK [MOUL]: Official swimming place in East Fork of the Lewis River in county park. Bathing suits for sure. Other facilities, fee unknown. To get here, continue north on RT 503 past Lewisville County Park (above) and turn east (right) onto NE Rock Creek Rd (if you get to Fargher Lake you have gone too far), then continue onto NE 152nd south then onto NE Lucia Falls Rd. east. Follow Lucia Falls Rd past Lucia Falls (don't know about swimming there) to Moulton Falls County Park and see signs for park. Swimming place is in river in park. LAT, LON lat=45.83148, lon=-122.38910(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 2/2/2007. SUNSET FALLS [SUNS]: Unofficial swimming place at foot of falls in Gifford Pincot N. F.. Apparently some jumping and sliding also - CHECK DEPTH AND CURRENTS BEFORE JUMPING! Other facilities, fee unknown. To get here, just past Moulton Falls park turn east (right) on NE Sunset Falls Rd.. Continue on this road past Horseshoe Falls (don't know about swimming there)into the National Forest to Sunset Falls Recreation Area right near the National Forest boundary. Swimming place is at bottom of falls. LAT, LON lat=45.8189, lon=-122.2531(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 2/2/2007. SIOUXON CREEK [SIOU]: Trail along beautiful creek with waterfalls and swimming holes. Excellent for running and mountain biking too. Places to (primitive) camp along the trail beginning about 1/2 mile in. May get a glimpse of (what's left of) Mt. Saint Helens if you hike in far enough. Some steep switchbacks if you hike far in and some bugs and crowds in summer - spring may be best. Described by one visitor as:"... a bit like spending the day at an outdoors-themed fun park. Amazing experience." To get here, continue north from Lewisille County Park (above) on RT 503, go past Amboy to the small town of Chelatchie then and turn east (right) on NE Healy road. Follow this road as it turns several times for about 9 miles total, then turn left on National Forest Rd. 57 Go about 1 mile, then turn left on National Forest Rd. 5701. Continue on this paved road about 4+ miles to the trailhead. Hike, swim, camp and enjoy! LAT, LON of trailhead: lat=45.94618, lon=-122.17826(source: web site) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 12/2008.
CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 12/2008 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | SEATTLE, PORT ANGELES |
LAT, LON | lat=47.976, lon=-123.688(source: web site) (accuracy:approximate) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | WA |
WATER | Olympic Hot Springs |
TYPE | Hot Springs |
DESCRIPTION | Outstanding and deservedly famous, series of 6+ all natural, rock-lined hot springs pools in Olympic N.P.. Take a small piece of rug to sit on. INFO AND PHOTOS , VERY INFORMATIVE VIDEO . A 2.5 mile beautiful hike each way in summer, longer in winter as they close the road further down. May have to ford a creek or two on the trail. |
AREA | Olympic N. P. |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | None |
FACILITIES |
None |
ACTIVITIES |
Hot Tubbing |
PHONE | Unknown |
CAMPING | Primitive (backpacking) camping near the pools. Developed camping at Elwha Campground. |
BATHING SUITS | Optional (mostly none) |
DIRECTIONS | From Port Angeles take RT 101 west approximately 8 miles to Olympic Hot Springs Road. Turn south (left) and continue into Olympic N.P.. In about 3 miles from RT 101 pass Elwha Campground and continue past campground to the Elwha Ranger Station. Past the ranger station go right where Whiskey Bend Road goes left. Follow this road 6 miles to its end and the trailhead for Boulder Creek. Park and hike along the (closed) road for 2 miles to a side trail to the left that goes 1/2 miles to Olympic Hot Springs. The trail has 3 water crossings in total - some may be wet fords.
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CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | Yes |
DATE UPDATED | 12/2008 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | TACOMA, OLYMPIA, CHEHALIS, DOTY |
LAT, LON | lat=46.63117, lon=-123.23431(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:exact) | LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE | WA |
WATER | Chehalis River |
TYPE | River |
DESCRIPTION | Small waterfall but with a nice swimming hole at the bottom. I think this is an official swimming place in the state park. RAINBOW FALLS S. P. .
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AREA | Rainbow Falls S.P. |
SANCTION | Official? |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
All facilities |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming |
PHONE | (360) 291-3767 |
CAMPING | At site |
BATHING SUITS | Required |
DIRECTIONS | from Tacoma/Olympia, take I-5 south to Chehalis. Take exit 77 onto RT 6. Head west in the direction of Raymond for 16 miles - follow signs to park.
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CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 11/6/2005 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | SEATTLE, EVERETT, SKYKOMISH
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STATE | WA |
WATER | Varies -see below |
TYPE | River/Hot Spring |
DESCRIPTION | East of Seattle, as you approach Stevens Pass on RT 2, there are swimming places in the Snoqualmie River and a hot springs. For details, see DIRECTIONS below. |
AREA | Wenatchee N.F. |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | None |
FACILITIES |
None |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming, hot srpings |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | There is a N.F. campground called "Money Creek" on RT 2 west of Skykomish. |
BATHING SUITS | Varies -see below |
DIRECTIONS | From Everett, take US 2 (Stevens Pass Hwy) east. Then: | GOLD BAR [GOLB]: A short distance east of Gold Bar on RT 2, the road crosses a bridge over the Skykomish River (if you get to Index you have gone too far). On one end of this bridge or the other (don't know which) there is a pull off and a gravel roundabout. There is plenty of parking - perhaps it is a boat launch area - and a $5 day use fee in the summer. It's never very crowded for swimmers, but lots of people launch their kayaks and rafts there. There are picnic tables and a few fire pits. The swimming hole is here. PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2 , PHOTO 3 . LAT, LON : lat=47.83753, lon=-121.65894(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Uncertain on location. Not verified. Updated 11/24/05. SCENIC HOT SPRINGS [SCEN]: As of 1/2007 and for the indefinite future, Scenic is dismantled and in the process of being renovated for possible use in the future. There is a group of Scenic supporters (Friends of Scenic Hot Springs) who are working with the current owner and others on this. PLEASE DO NOT GO THERE WHILE THIS PROCESS IS UNDERWAY. The property is private, and there are signs posted indicating No Trespass is allowed by the public until further notice. Progress is being made toward reopening this outstanding and beautiful natural hot spring - you can learn more about this at Scenic Hot Springs Blog .
CONFIDENCE | Varies - see above |
VERIFIED | Varies - see above |
DATE UPDATED | 1/22/2007 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | SEATTLE, NORTH BEND, FALL CITY |
STATE | WA |
WATER | Snoqualmie River |
TYPE | Falls/River |
DESCRIPTION | Popular unoffical swimming areas in Snoqualmie River. BE CAREFUL OF CURRENTS HERE - DO NOT GO IN IF CURRENT IS STRONG! PEOPLE HAVE DROWNED IN THESE PLACES RECENTLY. WHEN CURRENTS ARE LOW IN LATE SUMMER IS THE TIME TO SWIM HERE. |
AREA | None |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | Unknown |
FACILITIES |
Unknown |
ACTIVITIES |
Swimming, Jumping |
PHONE | Unknown |
CAMPING | Unknown |
BATHING SUITS | Unknown |
DIRECTIONS | From Seattle, take I-90 east to North Bend, then: | BLUE HOLE SNOQUALMIE [BLUS]: Popular swimming hole in the "Little Si Natural Area" at the foot of the Little Si mountain in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. BE CAREFUL OF CURRENTS HERE - DO NOT GO IN IF CURRENT IS STRONG! PEOPLE HAVE DROWNED IN THIS PLACE RECENTLY. THE SHERIFF HAS CLOSED THIS LOCATION WHEN THE CURRENTS ARE STRONG. WHEN CURRENTS ARE LOW IN LATE SUMMER IS THE TIME TO SWIM HERE. LAT, LON : lat=47.49852, lon=-121.76154(source: Geocaching site) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. To get here, get off I-90 at exit 31 in North Bend and take RT 202 north then go right on W 4th and continue onto E 4th then left on Ballarat Ave then right on NE 6th and continue onto SE 114 to end and hike down to river. No better directions. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 12/28/2007. SNOQUALMIE FALLS [SNOQ]: Popular falls for viewing with unoffical swimming and jumping from rocks in pool at the bottom. BE CAREFUL OF CURRENTS HERE - DO NOT GO IN IF CURRENT IS STRONG! WHEN CURRENTS ARE LOW LATE SUMMER IS THE TIME TO SWIM HERE. LINK TO PHOTOS AND MAPS. LAT, LON : lat=47.54528, lon=-121.8411(source: USGS) (accuracy:exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. To get here continue north on RT 202 through North Bend and before you get to Fall City, at Spring Glen, go left on Southeast Fish Hatchery Road. Follow that down to the river. About 200 yards before the bridge over Tokul Creek, find a parking spot to the right. A rocky outcropping here on the riverbank provides a prime spot to view the falls. To swim, at the falls pool, continue to the road's end, to a gravel parking area. Go around the gate and walk a paved road down to one of Puget Sound Energy's powerhouses. The trail to the pool goes behind the powerhouse. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 12/28/2007. TWIN FALLS [TWIN]: Great falls for swimming and some jumping too in the Snoqualmie River. This is a 1 mile hike in Olallie State Park through old growth trees and waterfalls. BE CAREFUL OF CURRENTS HERE - DO NOT GO IN IF CURRENT IS STRONG! WHEN CURRENTS ARE LOW LATE SUMMER IS THE TIME TO SWIM HERE. STATE PARK WEB SITE , MAP STATE PARK AND TWIN FALLS TRAILS . PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO . LAT, LON : lat=47.44503, lon=-121.69636(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. To get here, stay on I-90 past North Bend for about another 4 miles and take Exit 34. Take 468th Ave SE south (you will have to turn to keep on 468th Ave) then turn left on SE 159th ST and continue to the parking area for Olallie State Park and the Twin Falls area. These directions from a local visitor:" Park and follow the MAIN TRAIL (it's obvious) for about 15 minutes until you reach the BIG TREE. You'll know it when you see it, it even has a wooden fence around it with a protection sign. Turn RIGHT at the BIG TREE. This is the SECRET TRAIL. It will take you off the MAIN TRAIL and lead you to another tree with long sagging branches. Use these branches to climb down the path onto the riverbed (safe and easy). Stay LEFT. You must now walk to the WATERFALL/Swimming hole by jumping across the river rocks and walking alongside the river (still safe and easy). This is where the REAL ADVENTURE begins! BE SAFE! BUDDY SYSTEM! When you start to hear and see the WATERFALL, keep on going, you're almost there! Below the waterfall is a huge Swimming Hole. (If you make it to the river and want to take a RIGHT instead of a left... go ahead. This is where I have found THREE more waterholes (one with even more sunlight). But these are much harder to get to, and take a long time too (20-30 minutes). But its SOOO WORTH IT!)"
CONFIDENCE | Very confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 12/2008 | |
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Swimmingholes.info
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TOWNS | PORTLAND (OR), VANCOUVER (WA), WASHOUGAL, CARSON |
STATE | WA |
WATER | Hot Springs/Dry Creek |
TYPE | Hot Springs/Falls |
DESCRIPTION | Here's another "two-fer" hot springs/cold falls combination not too far from each other in southern Washington in the Columbia River Gorge area. For details, see DIRECTIONS below.
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AREA | Gifford Pinchot N.F./Private land |
SANCTION | Unofficial |
FEE | None |
FACILITIES |
Unknown |
ACTIVITIES |
Hot soaking, Swimming |
PHONE | None |
CAMPING | There are several N.F. campgrounds on RT 14 north of Carson in the Pinchot N.F. |
BATHING SUITS | Probably Optional |
DIRECTIONS | From Vancouver take RT 14 east to Carson, then: | DRY CREEK FALLS [DRYC]: Also known as Puff Falls. High falls into pool at bottom for swimming. Cold water! To get here from RT 14 near Carson, go north on Wind River Rd (along the Wind River) into the Gifford Pinchot N.F. (this road becomes FR 30 in the N.F.). At about 17 miles from Carson, go northwest (left turn) onto FR 64 which goes along the Dry River. Go about 2.1 miles on FR 64 to the place where this road crosses the creek and park. Walk upstream just under 1 mile (some slow going) to the falls - the swimming hole is in the pool at the bottom of the falls. LAT, LON :lat=45.92628, lon= -121.97917(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Not verified. Pretty confident. Updated 12/5/2005. WIND RIVER HOT SPRINGS [WINH]: Also known as "St. Martins on the Wind". The customary, old trail to this place is on private property and is now very extensively posted. From an enthusiastic visitor in 2010, here is apparently one way to get there without going on private property:" I was dead set on finding a "legal" way to get there and I believe I have. The Carson hot springs hotel is on the opposite side of the river, you can easily look it up on-line to get directions when I asked around I was told to hike the trail behind the hotel, there really is only one trail head although it is not marked but you can easily see where it is, so I took the well maintained trail and in one part of the trail the path forks, one way going down and one going up take the path down and continue walking, this is where it gets tricky. I followed the path which led me to a suspension bridge with of course tons of signs about trespassing, and coming down the bridge was a hiker, so I decided to ask him if he knew exactly where they are and he did. From the bridge you can actually see where they are of course they were flooded but I got the general idea, so on the way back about halfway back from the bridge I saw a steep trail heading directly where they were it had a how do I say it a shoelace tied around a tree apprently it was to assist you down the steep trail and this is completely legal to go this way ! I am so excited to visit the hot springs twoard the end of summer, my friends in town say yes people do still go there to soak in the springs so I hope this helps and please ! Tell everyone to clean it up too" INFO AND PHOTOS . To get here from RT 14 near Carson, stay on RT 14 east, take the turn for Carson and go to the Carson Hot Springs Hotel. Follow the directions above from the hotel. Not verified. Pretty confident. Updated 3/2010. LAT, LON :lat=45.72875, lon=-121.79547(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
CONFIDENCE | Pretty confident |
VERIFIED | No |
DATE UPDATED | 3/2010 | |
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