Best Swimming Holes in the Cascades
20 natural swimming holes · 2026 guide
The Cascade Range gives the Pacific Northwest its swimming: glacial rivers off Mount Rainier and Mount Hood, emerald pools on the Clackamas and Skykomish, and alpine lakes under volcanic peaks. The season is short and the water is cold — which is exactly why a hot August day at a Cascade river pool feels earned.
Top swimming holes
- Armitage Park, McKenzie River
A county park on the McKenzie River just north of Eugene with lawns, a boat ramp and easy river access for swimming and floating.
- Bagby Hot Springs
Bagby Hot Springs is a rustic Forest Service hot springs deep in the Mount Hood National Forest, with cedar log tubs fed by natural hot water.
- Baker Bay Park, Dorena Reservoir
A roped swim bay beside a manicured lawn on Dorena Reservoir that feels like summer camp all season long.
- Battle Ground Lake State Park
Battle Ground Lake State Park centers on a spring-fed lake in the Cascade foothills that draws swimmers, paddlers, and anglers.
- Big Eddy Picnic Area, Clackamas River
A Clackamas River classic where a broad eddy slows the water into a big, inviting swimming basin ringed by old-growth cedars.
- Brice Creek
Deep emerald pools shaded by tall conifers in the Cascade foothills east of Cottage Grove, a local favorite for cliff-sheltered swimming.
- Cascadia State Park, South Santiam River
The South Santiam River's classic tubing and swimming park, where a gentle river slides through a shady old-growth grove.
- Coast Fork Willamette River, Mt. Pisgah Arboretum
A county day-use park on the Coast Fork Willamette reached through the Mount Pisgah Arboretum, with a pebbly beach on a shallow, family-friendly stretch.
- Denny Creek natural waterslides
A series of smooth granite slabs on Denny Creek where clear, chilly water runs into natural waterslides and shallow pools.
- Deschutes River State Recreation Area
At the Deschutes' meeting with the Columbia, this park claims some of the warmest river water in Oregon, which is why its swim beaches fill on the hottest days.
- Dougan Falls (Washougal River)
Dougan Falls on the Washougal River is a gentle cascade with a natural swimming hole below, hidden in the forested hills near Stevenson.
- Eagle Falls, Skykomish River
A Skykomish River swimming hole near Index with a deep pool, rope swing and legendary local-party reputation.
- Franklin Falls swimming pool
A classic Snoqualmie Pass waterfall with a swimming pool at its base, reached by an easy two-mile round-trip hike through old growth.
- High Rocks (Clackamas River)
High Rocks is the Clackamas River's legendary swim spot, where basalt cliffs from 10 to 30-plus feet ring deep, clear pools.
- Lake Creek Rock Slides
Smooth, water-worn rock beneath Lake Creek has formed natural waterslides that kids and adults ride on summer afternoons.
- Lake Wenatchee State Park
A classic Cascade state park on a glacier-carved lake east of Stevens Pass, with swim beaches, campgrounds and old-growth cedar groves.
- Lowell State Recreation Site, Dexter Reservoir
A designated swim beach and roped swim area on the north shore of Dexter Reservoir, backed by a playground and picnic shelter.
- Lower Lewis River Falls
Lower Lewis River Falls is a 200-foot-wide wall of water plunging 43 feet into a turquoise pool big enough for serious swimming.
- Moulton Falls
Moulton Falls Regional Park is the Lewis River's utility player — a photogenic waterfall, flat rocks for sunning, calm upstream swimming, and two miles of river trails.
- Niagara County Park, North Santiam
The North Santiam's best swimming spot, a county park with easy river access on one of the coldest, clearest rivers in the Cascades.
Looking for more? Browse swimming holes in all 50 states or explore by travel region.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to swim in the Cascades?
July through early September. Snowmelt keeps rivers high, fast, and dangerously cold into early summer; late summer brings calmer pools.
Do Cascade swimming holes require reservations or permits?
A Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent is required at many national forest trailheads. The swimming spots themselves are generally free.
Are Cascade swimming holes safe?
Cold-water shock is the main risk — even strong swimmers can be incapacitated in glacial water. Ease in, keep swims short early in the season, and never swim above waterfalls or in spring runoff.