Because Seattle is surrounded by water, it has a wide range of naturally occurring swimming locations. Canals, lakes, rivers, and, of course, the Puget Sound, all provide places for a quick dip. For those wanting to avoid seaweed and critters, there are also a few public outdoor pools.
Dozens of swimming holes and beaches are waiting to be discovered across the city. As of Memorial Day weekend, lifeguards are on duty at most of them. These are the greatest locations to appreciate a sunny day in and around the city. Enjoy your time in the water!
Green Lake Beach
©Yiqi Yan/Shutterstock.com
East Green Lake Beach and West Green Lake Beach are two well-liked swimming beaches on Green Lake. A few of the perks include swimming rafts, diving boards, and lifeguards on duty throughout the summer. You can take a break from the water at the basketball courts or grab a snack at the food vendors. A kids’ wading area and restrooms come in handy for those with little ones.
Both beaches have parking, and a bicycle can easily get you to the park. The water is moderately warm and clear, and the two beaches are sandy! This area also features roomy fields and two islands. Additionally, the lake has a 2.8-mile walking route around it. Green Lake is simply the best summer playground in north central Seattle, regardless of your age!
Lake Sammamish State Park
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Want to spend the day at a beach close to Seattle? Visit Lake Sammamish State Park, a day-use park with 531 acres and 6,858 feet of lakefront! With two lakeside beaches, pathways through marshes, and a deciduous forest, this park offers a family-friendly outdoor experience away from the city. For those looking to canoe or paddleboard, the beach at Tibbetts offers rentals.
Four Native American tribes once lived in the areas around the lake, giving it significant cultural value. As a bonus, blue herons and bald eagles make their nests in the park. This beautiful place near Seattle has so much more to offer than just a place to cool off!
Big Eddy Park
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One of the best swimming spots on the Skykomish River is Big Eddy Park, which is 2.5 miles upriver from Gold Bar. The park’s sandy beaches, deep water, and gentle current make it a great place to cool down.
Two pools have been hollowed out under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad bridge. They provide safe waters for even the youngest children. However, remember that the river’s turquoise waters are supplied by the Cascade Mountains and are chilly all year round.
Continue driving into Stevens Pass, 3.5 miles past Index to Eagle Falls. Cold, deep pools and granite blocks lay beneath this chaotic cascade. Head here if you’re searching for extra swimming holes and cliff jumping.
Twin Falls
©Stacey Lynn Payne/Shutterstock.com
Visit three waterfalls just off I-90 on this short, family-friendly path. You’ll find Twin Falls within the Evergreen State’s Snoqualmie area in King County. This is the South Fork of the river’s tallest waterfall. Following Kanim Falls and Snoqualmie Falls, it is the third tallest of any of the Snoqualmie’s branches.
Twin Falls is really made up of three separate sections of waterfall. The first phase consists of two 45-foot drops that combine to form a sizable basin. Because of how the gorge is shaped, this area is largely concealed from the trail. The second series is a two-stepped, 30-foot drop that begins upstream of the lengthy trail bridge that crosses the river. The bridge is directly under a 20-foot drop. The largest drop, a 135-foot plummet over a rock protrusion, comes last.
Magnuson Park Swimming Beach
©Marv Vandehey/Shutterstock.com
Discover a fantastic urban park that features remnants of Seattle’s military past and sustainable present! Northeast Seattle’s Warren G. Magnuson Park is located on a beautiful mile-long section of Lake Washington’s waterfront. It is Seattle’s second-largest park with 350 acres.
Home to one of Seattle’s bustling waterfronts in the summer, Magnuson Park is well-liked for a good reason. Due to the shoreline, this Lake Washington beach is excellent for swimming and has an easily accessible entry point. You may rent a paddleboard or take low-cost sailing classes at the Sail Sand Point close to the swimming beach.
Note that Lake Washington currents can pull swimmers away from the shore. Additionally, there is not a lifeguard at the swimming beach in Magnuson Park. If safety is a concern, stick to shallow or monitored water.
Green River Gorge
©TayaJohnston/Shutterstock.com
The Green River Gorge Swimming Hole is a well-known “locals-only” location. The red gate is located on the north side of Enumclaw Franklin Road SE, a short distance from its unmarked trailhead. A simple route leads down to the Green River, after a short distance on an ancient road.
Any time of year is fantastic to visit this location in the Green River Gorge! Whitewater boaters are drawn to the channel during the winter when high water levels flood it and create waves. You might even see kayakers brave the chilly winter weather to paddle one of Washington’s best whitewater runs.
The months of July and August are ideal for swimming in the gorge because the river levels are typically low enough. And the hottest days are the best days! The Resort’s Bridge Overlook, where multiple rivers flow into the 300-foot-deep canyon, have the best views of the gorge. This point is two miles northeast on Enumclaw Franklin Road Southeast.
Jetty Island
©CL Shebley/Shutterstock.com
Despite being a 45 minute trip from Seattle to Everett, Jetty Island is undoubtedly one of the top swimming spots near Seattle, particularly during peak summer.
The silky beaches and distinctive beach ambiance of this island are undeniable. They were created through sand dug out from the bottom of Puget Sound.
The area off Jetty Island is shallower than at most Puget Sound beaches, allowing sunshine to warm the water. Due to this, Jetty Island is one of the few spots in Puget Sound where the water isn’t icy-cold.
If you wish to swim in the Puget Sound, choose beaches with slowly sloping tidal flats. These shallow spots allow the sunlight to warm the water more effectively than swimming holes with deep drop offs. Additionally, only go during the hottest part of the year.
Newcastle Beach Park
©GeorgeColePhoto/Shutterstock.com
Newcastle Beach Park, Bellevue’s biggest beach park, is situated on the banks of Lake Washington. There are several recreational opportunities in the park suitable for a family vacation. Schedule a reunion on the spacious flats or hike along the 3/4-mile loop of the nature trail. For more relaxing activities, lounge on the white sand beaches or go out to the floating swimmer’s dock.
The park is a well-liked gathering place for families and groups of friends, thanks to its three picnic sites. One even has a shelter, a BBQ, and a vibrant play area for kids. Guests can enjoy fishing on the 300-foot wooden dock, or launch their canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards.
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Because Seattle is surrounded by water, it has a wide range of naturally occurring swimming locations. Canals, lakes, rivers, and, of course, the Puget Sound, all provide places for a quick dip. For those wanting to avoid seaweed and critters, there are also a few public outdoor pools.
Dozens of swimming holes and beaches are waiting to be discovered across the city. As of Memorial Day weekend, lifeguards are on duty at most of them. These are the greatest locations to appreciate a sunny day in and around the city. Enjoy your time in the water!
Green Lake Beach
©Yiqi Yan/Shutterstock.com
East Green Lake Beach and West Green Lake Beach are two well-liked swimming beaches on Green Lake. A few of the perks include swimming rafts, diving boards, and lifeguards on duty throughout the summer. You can take a break from the water at the basketball courts or grab a snack at the food vendors. A kids’ wading area and restrooms come in handy for those with little ones.
Both beaches have parking, and a bicycle can easily get you to the park. The water is moderately warm and clear, and the two beaches are sandy! This area also features roomy fields and two islands. Additionally, the lake has a 2.8-mile walking route around it. Green Lake is simply the best summer playground in north central Seattle, regardless of your age!
Lake Sammamish State Park
©Khomlyak/Shutterstock.com
Want to spend the day at a beach close to Seattle? Visit Lake Sammamish State Park, a day-use park with 531 acres and 6,858 feet of lakefront! With two lakeside beaches, pathways through marshes, and a deciduous forest, this park offers a family-friendly outdoor experience away from the city. For those looking to canoe or paddleboard, the beach at Tibbetts offers rentals.
Four Native American tribes once lived in the areas around the lake, giving it significant cultural value. As a bonus, blue herons and bald eagles make their nests in the park. This beautiful place near Seattle has so much more to offer than just a place to cool off!
Big Eddy Park
©Ian Dewar Photography/Shutterstock.com
One of the best swimming spots on the Skykomish River is Big Eddy Park, which is 2.5 miles upriver from Gold Bar. The park’s sandy beaches, deep water, and gentle current make it a great place to cool down.
Two pools have been hollowed out under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad bridge. They provide safe waters for even the youngest children. However, remember that the river’s turquoise waters are supplied by the Cascade Mountains and are chilly all year round.
Continue driving into Stevens Pass, 3.5 miles past Index to Eagle Falls. Cold, deep pools and granite blocks lay beneath this chaotic cascade. Head here if you’re searching for extra swimming holes and cliff jumping.
Twin Falls
©Stacey Lynn Payne/Shutterstock.com
Visit three waterfalls just off I-90 on this short, family-friendly path. You’ll find Twin Falls within the Evergreen State’s Snoqualmie area in King County. This is the South Fork of the river’s tallest waterfall. Following Kanim Falls and Snoqualmie Falls, it is the third tallest of any of the Snoqualmie’s branches.
Twin Falls is really made up of three separate sections of waterfall. The first phase consists of two 45-foot drops that combine to form a sizable basin. Because of how the gorge is shaped, this area is largely concealed from the trail. The second series is a two-stepped, 30-foot drop that begins upstream of the lengthy trail bridge that crosses the river. The bridge is directly under a 20-foot drop. The largest drop, a 135-foot plummet over a rock protrusion, comes last.
Magnuson Park Swimming Beach
©Marv Vandehey/Shutterstock.com
Discover a fantastic urban park that features remnants of Seattle’s military past and sustainable present! Northeast Seattle’s Warren G. Magnuson Park is located on a beautiful mile-long section of Lake Washington’s waterfront. It is Seattle’s second-largest park with 350 acres.
Home to one of Seattle’s bustling waterfronts in the summer, Magnuson Park is well-liked for a good reason. Due to the shoreline, this Lake Washington beach is excellent for swimming and has an easily accessible entry point. You may rent a paddleboard or take low-cost sailing classes at the Sail Sand Point close to the swimming beach.
Note that Lake Washington currents can pull swimmers away from the shore. Additionally, there is not a lifeguard at the swimming beach in Magnuson Park. If safety is a concern, stick to shallow or monitored water.
Green River Gorge
©TayaJohnston/Shutterstock.com
The Green River Gorge Swimming Hole is a well-known “locals-only” location. The red gate is located on the north side of Enumclaw Franklin Road SE, a short distance from its unmarked trailhead. A simple route leads down to the Green River, after a short distance on an ancient road.
Any time of year is fantastic to visit this location in the Green River Gorge! Whitewater boaters are drawn to the channel during the winter when high water levels flood it and create waves. You might even see kayakers brave the chilly winter weather to paddle one of Washington’s best whitewater runs.
The months of July and August are ideal for swimming in the gorge because the river levels are typically low enough. And the hottest days are the best days! The Resort’s Bridge Overlook, where multiple rivers flow into the 300-foot-deep canyon, have the best views of the gorge. This point is two miles northeast on Enumclaw Franklin Road Southeast.
Jetty Island
©CL Shebley/Shutterstock.com
Despite being a 45 minute trip from Seattle to Everett, Jetty Island is undoubtedly one of the top swimming spots near Seattle, particularly during peak summer.
The silky beaches and distinctive beach ambiance of this island are undeniable. They were created through sand dug out from the bottom of Puget Sound.
The area off Jetty Island is shallower than at most Puget Sound beaches, allowing sunshine to warm the water. Due to this, Jetty Island is one of the few spots in Puget Sound where the water isn’t icy-cold.
If you wish to swim in the Puget Sound, choose beaches with slowly sloping tidal flats. These shallow spots allow the sunlight to warm the water more effectively than swimming holes with deep drop offs. Additionally, only go during the hottest part of the year.
Newcastle Beach Park
©GeorgeColePhoto/Shutterstock.com
Newcastle Beach Park, Bellevue’s biggest beach park, is situated on the banks of Lake Washington. There are several recreational opportunities in the park suitable for a family vacation. Schedule a reunion on the spacious flats or hike along the 3/4-mile loop of the nature trail. For more relaxing activities, lounge on the white sand beaches or go out to the floating swimmer’s dock.
The park is a well-liked gathering place for families and groups of friends, thanks to its three picnic sites. One even has a shelter, a BBQ, and a vibrant play area for kids. Guests can enjoy fishing on the 300-foot wooden dock, or launch their canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards.
