Best Swimming Holes in the National Parks

Forget the crowded public pool this summer — the national parks are home to some of the most beautiful places to cool off you’ll ever find! Whether it’s a crystal-clear mountain lake, a glacier-fed creek running through sand dunes, or a lazy float down a river canyon, I’m about to show you the spots our family keeps coming back to, summer after summer, to beat the heat. 

You’ll see our favorite national park swimming holes, what makes each so spectacular, and how you can plan a visit to each one!

#1: Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, WA

Lake Crescent will take your breath away. The water is insanely clear, the mountain views are stunning, and yes — it is cold. But that’s part of the fun. We jump off the dock at Lake Crescent Lodge and easily find solace from the heat. It’s the perfect place to cool off this summer. 

If swimming isn’t your thing, bringing kayaks is a beautiful way to enjoy the lake without fully committing to the cold water.

INSIDER TIP:
Go earlier in the day before the afternoon wind picks up. The lake is calm and glassy in the morning, which makes for the best kayaking and the clearest views down into the water.

Plan your visit to Lake Crescent

Location: Olympic National Park, Washington

Open Season: Lake Crescent is accessible year-round, though summer (June–September) is the best time for swimming. Check current road and conditions information on the NPS Olympic National Park page.

Where to Stay: The Lake Crescent Lodge is right on the water and one of the most iconic places to stay in the area. Check the NPS lodging page for availability and reservations.

Ash’s Recommended Activities at Lake Crescent: Jumping dock at Lake Crescent Lodge, or kayaking on the lake.

How to Avoid the Crowds: Weekday mornings are your best bet. The lake sees its heaviest traffic on summer weekends, especially midday. Arriving before 9 a.m. on any day gives you the dock and the shoreline almost to yourself.

Looking for more help planning your trip to Olympic National Park? Grab our detailed itinerary!

#2: String Lake — Grand Teton National Park, WY

String Lake holds a special place in my heart. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and it never gets old. You’re paddling or wading in the shadow of the Tetons, with some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country rising up around you. It’s unreal. 

What makes String Lake unique is the depth. Much of the lake is only waist-deep or shallower, especially toward the northern end. That makes it incredibly family-friendly — kids can wade across wide stretches without going over their heads. The southern end gets a bit deeper but is better for actual swimming.

We love packing a full picnic and spending the whole day here. Paddleboard, kayak, canoe, inner tube — String Lake handles all of it beautifully!

INSIDER TIP:
Non-motorized boats are allowed on String Lake, but it’s a relatively small and shallow lake, so keep your group close to shore and watch the depth as you go north. And bring sunscreen! The Teton sun at elevation is no joke.

Plan your visit to String Lake

Location: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Open Season: String Lake is typically accessible from late May through October, depending on the snowpack. Check the NPS Grand Teton conditions page before you go.

Where to Stay: The Colter Bay Village area puts you close to String Lake and has great options for families. Visit this link to learn more about places to stay in Grand Teton.

Ash’s Recommended Activities at String Lake: Paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, wading, and swimming, plus picnicking with Teton views.

How to Avoid the Crowds: String Lake fills up fast on summer weekends. Arriving before 8 a.m. is your best bet. The parking lot can reach capacity by mid-morning on busy days. Weekdays in late June or early September are the sweet spot.

Looking for more help planning your trip to Grand Teton National Park? Grab our detailed itinerary!

#3: Medano Creek — Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO

This national park swimming hole is one I love talking about because so few people know it exists. Every year in May and into June, Medano Creek flows down from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and runs right through the sand at the base of the dunes. 

You get your own beach, in Colorado. In the shadow of 700-foot sand dunes! There’s really no greater experience than this. 

But keep in mind it’s not always deep enough to swim. Water levels vary a lot by year and by week — but even when it’s shallow, it’s pure joy. Kids can run through it, build sand castles, and float on inner tubes when the levels are high enough. It will absolutely bring out your inner child, no matter how old you are.

INSIDER TIP:
The creek is typically at its peak from late May through mid-June, fed by snowmelt. By July, it slows significantly and can disappear entirely. Check current conditions on the NPS Great Sand Dunes page before planning a water day.

Plan your visit to Medano Creek

Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Open Season: Medano Creek flows most reliably from May through mid-June. After that, it slows and may stop entirely by midsummer. The dunes themselves are open year-round.

Where to Stay: Alamosa is the closest town with full lodging options. Piñon Flats Campground inside the park puts you right at the base of the dunes — reservations required through recreation.gov.

Ash’s Recommended Activities near Medano Creek: Wading and floating in the creek, or hiking and sandboarding on the dunes. 

How to Avoid the Crowds: Arrive early — the dunes parking lot fills on peak summer days. A weekday visit in late May gives you the best combination of creek flow and manageable crowds.

#4: The Smith River — Redwood National and State Parks, CA

I’ll be honest — this one wasn’t even on my radar until we actually visited the Redwoods, and now I can’t stop recommending it. 

The Smith River winds through old-growth redwood forest, which means you’re floating (or kayaking) down a crystal-clear river with ancient trees towering hundreds of feet above you on both sides. It is one of the most surreal things I’ve experienced in any national park.

The NPS offers ranger-led kayak tours along the Smith River that you can sign up for, which is a fantastic option if you want that expert commentary as you float. 

INSIDER TIP:The Smith River has no dams, which makes it one of the cleanest and clearest rivers in the entire country. Water visibility can be remarkable on calm days. Cell service is essentially nonexistent in much of Redwood National and State Parks, so download your maps before you arrive.

Plan your visit to the Smith River

Location: Redwood National and State Parks, California

Open Season: The Smith River is generally best for floating and kayaking in summer when water levels are lower, and temperatures are more forgiving. Check NPS Redwood conditions before your trip.

Where to Stay: Crescent City is the nearest town with lodging. Several campgrounds in the park system are available. Check recreation.gov for reservations.

Ash’s Recommended Activities on the Smith River: NPS ranger-led kayak tours (check NPS Redwood programs for availability), or guided river float trips.

How to Avoid the Crowds: The Smith River area is one of the quieter corners of Redwood National and State Parks. Earlier in the day is always better, and weekdays in July or August give you a peaceful float with plenty of river to yourself.

#5: The Merced River — Yosemite National Park, CA

Yosemite Valley is one of the most visited places in the country, but floating the Merced River is a way to see the most underrated parts of the park. 

In early summer, when water levels are still good from snowmelt, you can rent a raft at Curry Village (now called Half Dome Village) and float the river right through the middle of the valley.

The views from the water are genuinely different from anything you see on the trail or from the road. Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan — all of it opens up around you as you drift. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the whole park!

INSIDER TIP:
You need to come earlier in the summer for this one. By mid-to-late summer, water levels drop, and rafting isn’t possible. June and early July are your window. Raft rentals at Half Dome Village do sell out — check availability with the NPS Yosemite concessionaire information before you go.

Plan your visit to the Merced River

Location: Yosemite National Park, California

Open Season: Rafting on the Merced is typically available from late May through mid-July, depending on the year’s snowpack. Check the NPS Yosemite rafting page for current availability.

Where to Stay: Half Dome Village (Curry Village), Yosemite Valley Lodge, and Yosemite Valley campgrounds all put you right on the river. Book as early as possible — Yosemite accommodations go fast. 

Ash’s Recommended Activities on the Merced River: Rafting from Half Dome Village or swimming at sandy river beaches in the Yosemite Valley. 

How to Avoid the Crowds: Yosemite Valley is busy all summer. Timed entry permits are sometimes required — check the NPS Yosemite planning page well before your trip. Arriving at or before the rafting concession opens gives you first pick of rafts and the calmest water of the day.

Looking for more help planning your trip to Yosemite National Park? Grab our detailed itinerary!

Make This the Summer You Get Your Feet Wet in the National Parks

The best swimming holes in national parks aren’t hidden, they’re just waiting for someone to point you there. That’s what we’re here for! Whether you’re planning a family trip to Olympic this summer or dreaming of floating the Merced at sunrise, I hope this list gives you something to look forward to.

Your Next Read: Favorite National Park Road Trips — Continue planning your family’s summer vacation with a road trip!

Are you hoping to visit all of the national parks? Sign up for your FREE NATIONAL PARKS CHECKLIST so you can easily see where you’ve been and where you still need to go!