Swim in the Elwha River

Port Angeles, Washington

Description

Cool off in the beautiful blue-green water of the Elwha River at this easily accessible swimming hole in Olympic National Park.

Tucked away in the trees along Olympic Hot Springs Road, the Elwha River slows to a crawl and forms a perfect natural swimming hole. It is a great place to cool off, picnic, and enjoy the beautiful forest surrounding the Elwha River.

The river's water is crystal clear and a vivid blue-green color. It runs down from the Olympic Mountains, so make no mistake, the water is very cold.

If you swim across the river you can climb up the rocks and jump back into the water. Look before you jump, as fluctuating river levels can greatly affect the depth of the water and the safety of jumping in.

The swimming hole is about five miles down the road from the Olympic Hot Springs trailhead, so it's an awesome place to cool off after the hike.

Getting There

After entering Olympic National Park, continue South on Olympic Hot Springs Road. About 1.3 miles beyond the Elwha Ranger Station you will see a narrow dirt road branching off to the left. Follow this dirt road down a short hill to the parking area.

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Features

Chillin

Photography

Easy Parking

Forest

River

Scenic

Swimming Hole

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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