Summer in Oregon is magical through and through, and there’s no better way to spend a hot sunny day than swimming in a cool, clear body of water. From hidden gem swimming holes to breathtaking mountaintop lakes, here are 11 unbeatable swimming spots in Oregon that will make your summer complete:
- Lost Lake
flickr/ Peter Roome Tucked away in the Mt Hood National Forest, Lost Lake is a breathtaking hidden gem where you can swim, camp, hike, boat, and more. The way the water reflects the snow capped peak of Mt Hood is positively enchanting.
- Punchbowl Falls
flickr/ Thomas Shahan Located in the Columbia River Gorge, Punchbowl Falls is a beautiful waterfall that pours into a deep, clear basin that’s perfect for a swim on a hot day. You can reach the falls on a 2-mile hike along the legendary Eagle Creek Trail.
- Wallowa Lake
flickr/ Marie Rimmed by stunning mountain peaks, Wallowa Lake is a jaw-dropping body of water located in northeastern Oregon. It’s a great place for swimming, boating, hiking, camping, and more.
- Three Pools
flickr/ Christopher Somes Hidden away on the North Fork of the Santiam River, Three Pools is a unique, little-known swimming hole that will blow you away.
- Paulina Lake
flickr/ Amy Meredith Paulina Lake, located within the Newberry Volanic Monument, is an amazing mountaintop lake with glittering turquoise water that looks like something from a dream. It’s a wonderful place to swim in the warmer months, as well as hike, boat, fish, and more.
- Cavitt Creek Falls
flickr/ PROBureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington Located near Roseburg, Cavitt Creek Falls is a lovely little waterfall that pours into a smooth natural pool that makes for a wonderful swimming spot. There’s a campsite nearby as well.
- Trillium Lake
flickr/ andymw91 Trillium Lake is a beautiful body of water nestled into the Mt Hood National Forest. With opportunities for swimming, camping, hiking, boating, and more, it’s a perfect summertime getaway.
- Crater Lake
flickr/ Joshua Ganderson Crater Lake is one of the most incredible natural wonders in all of Oregon, though not many people know that there are parts of it you can swim in. Taking a dip in the cold, crystal clear water is a truly magical experience.
- Elk Lake
flickr/ Bruce Fingerhood Located in the Cascade Range, Elk Lake is a spectacular, little-known lake in Central Oregon where you can swim, boat, fish, windsurf, and more.
- Belknap Hot Springs
facebook/ Belknap Hot Springs Lodge and Gardens Belknap Hot Springs is a unique hot spring resort located along the McKenzie River. On a not-so-sweltering day, it’s a great place to relax and soak in a pool filled with warm mineral water flowing from the earth.
- Timothy Lake
flickr/ dirtsailor2003 Another beautiful lake tucked into the forested foothills of Mt Hood, Timothy Lake is a stunning reservoir where you can swim, boat, fish, camp, and more.
Find out about more hidden Oregon swimming holes here.
flickr/ Peter Roome
Tucked away in the Mt Hood National Forest, Lost Lake is a breathtaking hidden gem where you can swim, camp, hike, boat, and more. The way the water reflects the snow capped peak of Mt Hood is positively enchanting.
flickr/ Thomas Shahan
Located in the Columbia River Gorge, Punchbowl Falls is a beautiful waterfall that pours into a deep, clear basin that’s perfect for a swim on a hot day. You can reach the falls on a 2-mile hike along the legendary Eagle Creek Trail.
flickr/ Marie
Rimmed by stunning mountain peaks, Wallowa Lake is a jaw-dropping body of water located in northeastern Oregon. It’s a great place for swimming, boating, hiking, camping, and more.
flickr/ Christopher Somes
Hidden away on the North Fork of the Santiam River, Three Pools is a unique, little-known swimming hole that will blow you away.
flickr/ Amy Meredith
Paulina Lake, located within the Newberry Volanic Monument, is an amazing mountaintop lake with glittering turquoise water that looks like something from a dream. It’s a wonderful place to swim in the warmer months, as well as hike, boat, fish, and more.
flickr/ PROBureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington
Located near Roseburg, Cavitt Creek Falls is a lovely little waterfall that pours into a smooth natural pool that makes for a wonderful swimming spot. There’s a campsite nearby as well.
flickr/ andymw91
Trillium Lake is a beautiful body of water nestled into the Mt Hood National Forest. With opportunities for swimming, camping, hiking, boating, and more, it’s a perfect summertime getaway.
flickr/ Joshua Ganderson
Crater Lake is one of the most incredible natural wonders in all of Oregon, though not many people know that there are parts of it you can swim in. Taking a dip in the cold, crystal clear water is a truly magical experience.
flickr/ Bruce Fingerhood
Located in the Cascade Range, Elk Lake is a spectacular, little-known lake in Central Oregon where you can swim, boat, fish, windsurf, and more.
facebook/ Belknap Hot Springs Lodge and Gardens
Belknap Hot Springs is a unique hot spring resort located along the McKenzie River. On a not-so-sweltering day, it’s a great place to relax and soak in a pool filled with warm mineral water flowing from the earth.
flickr/ dirtsailor2003
Another beautiful lake tucked into the forested foothills of Mt Hood, Timothy Lake is a stunning reservoir where you can swim, boat, fish, camp, and more.
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