Swimming Campgrounds in Washington

Swimming Campgrounds in Washington

Discover the best swimming campgrounds across Washington. Beat the heat at campgrounds with pristine swimming spots. Lakes, rivers, beaches, and swimming holes just steps from your campsite.

20+ Campgrounds4.7★ AverageBest: Summer (June-September)
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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

1
Deception Pass State Park
Photo coming soon
Star
4.7
(178)
Deception Pass State Park
Oak Harbor
Washington State Parks, Washington

Cranberry Lake's designated swimming area provides calm, protected waters where families can safely splash and paddle just steps from their wooded campsites.

Tents
RVs
2
Bonaparte Lake Campground
Star
4.7
(151)
Bonaparte Lake Campground
Tonasket
Colville National Forest

Crystal-clear mountain waters lap against multiple sandy beaches, where families wade into the lake's refreshing depths from a dedicated swimming dock that extends into deeper water.

Tents
RVs
3
Steamboat Rock State Park
Photo coming soon
Star
4.7
(158)
Steamboat Rock State Park
Grand Coulee (Grand Coulee Dam is a short drive from the campground)
Washington State Parks, Washington

Sandy beaches stretch along Banks Lake's clear waters, where families splash and swim against a backdrop of towering basalt cliffs in this desert oasis. The protected shoreline creates calm, kid-friendly conditions while the dramatic rock formations provide natural shade and stunning scenery.

Tents
RVs

About Swimming Campgrounds in Washington

Swimming camping Washington offers an extraordinary diversity of aquatic experiences, from the pristine island waters of the Puget Sound to remote mountain lakes in the North Cascades and desert oasis beaches along the Columbia Basin. Washington's varied geography creates swimming opportunities unlike anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest, where you can dive into cool alpine lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks, float in warm desert reservoirs under endless skies, or explore protected coves along forested coastlines.

Best Time

The prime swimming camping season in Washington runs from late June through early September, when water temperatures reach their warmest and weather is most reliable. July and August offer the best conditions statewide, with mountain lake temperatures climbing into the comfortable 60s and desert lakes reaching the low 70s.

Activity Highlights

  • Lake and river swimming access
  • Natural swimming holes
  • Beach and waterfront sites
  • Family-friendly swimming areas

Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Swimming Campgrounds in Washington

Map of campgrounds near Swimming Campgrounds in Washington
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Map Key
1
Deception Pass State Park
2
Bonaparte Lake Campground
3
Steamboat Rock State Park
4
Moran State Park
5
West Sullivan
6
Rasar State Park
7
Swift Creek Campground
8
Lincoln Rock State Park
9
Lost Lake Group Unit
10
Black Pine Lake Campground
11
Ike Kinswa State Park
12
Rock Island Campground
13
Klahowya Campground
14
Curlew Lake State Park
15
Pierre Lake Campground
16
East Sullivan Campground
17
Soda Springs Campground (Bumping River, Wa)
18
Peninsula Campground
19
Lena Lake Campground
20
Graves Creek Campground
View all 186 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Lake and reservoir swimmingRiver swimming in mountain streamsBeach lounging and sunbathingKayaking and paddleboardingFishing from shore and boatsHiking to swimming holes

Tips & Recommendations

  • 1Reserve campsites at popular swimming destinations like Deception Pass, Steamboat Rock, and Moran State Park exactly six months in advance when the booking window opens—prime waterfront sites disappear within hours for summer weekends.
  • 2Bring water shoes for rocky lake bottoms and river entries, especially at North Cascades locations.
  • 3Pack layers even in summer, as mountain lake campgrounds can experience 40-degree temperature swings between afternoon swimming and evening campfires.
  • 4A portable shade canopy proves invaluable at desert locations like Steamboat Rock where tree cover is minimal.
20 campgrounds ranked
Based on real camper reviews
Curated for Swimming Campgrounds in Washington

Swimming Campgrounds in Washington FAQ

We've ranked 20+ swimming campgrounds in Washington based on water access, swimming areas, safety, and user reviews. Top options include campgrounds on lakes, rivers, and beaches with designated swimming areas.
Swimming safety varies by location. Many campgrounds have designated swimming areas with lifeguards during peak season. Always check for posted warnings, water conditions, and currents before swimming. Never swim alone.
Summer (June-September) is the best time for swimming camping in Washington. Water temperatures are warmest and swimming areas are typically staffed. Some mountain lakes may be too cold for swimming even in summer.
Availability Alerts

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Deception Pass State Park
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