7 Swimming Spots With the Clearest, Most Pristine Water in Washington

The best part about summer is getting to splash around and be outside. To help make your summer the best summer ever, we’ve compiled some of the best swimming holes in Washington to add to your bucket list. These seven spots are known for their clean, beautiful, refreshing water - so if you only have time for one more summer swim, head to one of these places. And put the rest of these best swimming spots with some of the clearest water in Washington state on your bucket list for next year.

1. Devil’s Punch Bowl, Port Angeles

You’ll find the Devil’s Punch Bowl at Lake Crescent inside the Olympic National Park in Port Angeles. It’s certainly one of the best swimming lakes in Washington. It’s reportedly about 1,000 feet deep, and thrill-seekers jump from heights of 15 to 50 feet. The trail to Devil's Punch Bowl is equally magical. It's about 2.5 miles, and an All Trails + account often comes in handy.

2. Enchantment Lakes, Leavenworth

The Enchantments are located on a high mountain lake basin with about a dozen named lakes that have some of the cleanest and clearest water in Washington. They can be accessed by a popular backcountry trail. The Enchantments Trail hike is rated hard, so it's certainly not for beginners. This hike will make you feel like you’re in another world. Day and overnight use permits are required, which you can learn more about on the web page.

3. Dougan Falls, Skamania County

Dougan Falls is located near Stevenson along the Washougal River and has one of the best swimming holes in Washington. The little pool at the base of the waterfall is a serene spot to swim. To learn about the location of Dougan Falls, visit the Northwest Waterfalls Survey website.

Take a look at this video by @waterfallpix1214:

4. Cranberry Lake, Anacortes

Located at Deception Pass State Park, Cranberry Lake is a peaceful place with a designated swimming area and slightly warmer water than the nearby Pacific Ocean. It's one of the best lakes in Washington to swim. Learn more by visiting the Deception Pass webpage.

5. Lake Chelan, Chelan

The state's most popular "summer lake" is a surprisingly clean place to swim with some of the clearest water in Washington state. Every year, on the first Saturday after Labor Day, the Chelan Swim event raises money and awareness for local swimming lessons.

6. Bradbury Beach, Kettle Falls

The clean, clear water at Bradbury Beach has a central floating dock that has been buoyed off for swimming. The water here tends to be slightly warmer than other parts of the lake, making for a more pleasant swim. Bradbury Beach is located at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, and it's one of the clearest lakes in Washington where you can swim.

7. Steamboat Rock State Park, Electric City

With 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline at the north end of Banks Lake, Steamboat Rock State Park offers plenty of swimming spots in its pristine waters. It's one of the best lakes in Washington to swim.

Each of these places has beautiful, clean water for swimming. Have you been to some of the best swimming spots with some of the clearest water in Washington state? Is your favorite swimming spot on this list? If not, nominate it!

For an even more magical experience, try a waterfall swimming hole.