15 Free Swimming Holes near Ape Cave
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Ape Cave near Cougar, Washington City, Zip, or Address
Wind River Area
Bellingham, Washington
16.8 miles SEA hot springs and cold falls combination in the Columbia River Gorge area of southern Washington — two distinct natural features not far from each other for a scenic double-header.
Swim
Sunset Falls Campground
Yacolt, Washington
20.1 miles SA majestic waterfall that drains into a large, deepening pool — just a 0.1-mile hike from the trailhead, with large smooth rocks perfect for sunbathing and picnicking beside the falls.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Moulton Falls County Park
Yacolt, Washington
20.9 miles SWA 387-acre park with two majestic waterfalls, volcanic rock formations, a historic swing bridge, and the 8.1-mile Bells Mountain Trail — swimming allowed with caution (no jumping from the bridge).
Hike, Swim
Lewisville Regional Park
Battle Ground, Washington
25.5 miles SWThe Lewis River borders this family park, offering swimming with a caution for swift currents, alongside a 2.8-mile wooded trail, sports courts, fishing, and a boat launch.
Swim
Battle Ground Area
Battle Ground, Washington
27.2 miles SWSwim near Battle Ground, Washington
Swim
Daybreak Regional Park
Battle Ground, Washington
27.3 miles SWA day-use park on the Lewis River with a boat launch, 15 picnic spots, a playground, and easy river access for fishing, skipping rocks, or wading — open 7 am to dusk.
Hike, Swim
Horseshoe Lake Park
Woodland
29.2 miles SWFree city park on Horseshoe Lake, a no-wake Lewis River oxbow in downtown Woodland, with a small sandy swim beach, no lifeguard, and city water testing for summer algae.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Ike Kinswa State Park Swim Area
Silver Creek
34.9 miles NWA marked swim area at the Ike Kinswa State Park day-use beach on the Tilton River arm of Mayfield Lake near Silver Creek, Washington. Open 8 a.m. to dusk; a Discover Pass ($10/day) is required.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Washougal Area
Royal City, Washington
36.7 miles SSwim near Royal City, Washington
Swim
Oneonta Gorge
Cascade Locks, Oregon
36.7 miles SA mossy, fern-draped slot canyon in the Columbia Gorge — no trail, chest-deep cold water, log jams to climb, and loose river rock underfoot — Oneonta Gorge is an unforgettable adventure.
Hike, Swim
Hood River Waterfront Park Swim Cove
Hood River, Oregon
43.1 miles SESheltered sandy swim cove on the Columbia at Hood River's six-acre city waterfront park, next to the Hook and the Event Site kiteboard beaches.
Hike, Kayak, Kiteboard, Swim
Poet's Beach
Portland
47.1 miles SWA hundred-yard strip of imported sand under the Marquam Bridge piers in downtown Portland, reached by a stone path engraved with children's poems and Chinuk Wawa. No fee, no lifeguards since the 2017 pilot, no facilities, and swimmable water roughly July
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Sunny Beach Point
Eatonville
47.8 miles NA free, grassy day-use point on Tacoma Power's Alder Lake south of Eatonville, with a seasonal swim and sunning area that opens May 15 to Sept. 15 when the reservoir is high enough.
Swim
Cowlitz River
Randle, Washington
48.2 miles NEA wide, deep, slow-moving stretch of the Cowlitz River near Mt. Rainier — secluded and known mostly to locals, with room to camp, kayak, and hike along the bank.
Swim
Blue Hole on the Ohanapecosh River
Packwood
49.6 miles NEA clear, cold pool on the Ohanapecosh River in La Wis Wis Campground east of Packwood, reached by a 100-yard Forest Service trail from the Hatchery Loop just above the start of the Cowlitz River.
Camp, Hike, Swim
