Perry Swimming Hole
La Grande, Oregon · on Grande Ronde River
Verified · 2 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Perry Swimming Hole
Perry Swimming Hole is a long-established, county-owned swimming spot on the Grande Ronde River just west of La Grande, Oregon, near the small community of Perry. Union County officially designated it a free day-use park in 2009 after residents fought off a 2008 attempt to sell the land as surplus property, and it remains a popular local summer swimming destination.
The site sits along the Grande Ronde River in Union County's Grande Ronde Valley, on a roughly 1.3-acre county-owned parcel about 400 yards south of the small community of Lower Perry, near I-84 exit 257. The parcel was historically mined for gravel used by the county road department before being retained as riparian land along the river.
Swimming at Perry Swimming Hole
Locals describe it as one of the few real swimming holes on the Grande Ronde River in this stretch, and a longtime multi-generational gathering spot -- one resident quoted in 2008 said 'I swam there, my grandkids swam there, my kids swam there.' The county's own listing calls it 'very popular on hot summer days,' but no official source gives specific depth, current, or bottom conditions.
How to get to this swimming hole
From La Grande, head west on I-84 to exit 257, then continue about two miles west to the Perry area on the Grande Ronde River; the swimming hole/park is about 400 yards south of Lower Perry, per Union County Parks and the 2009 Eagle Scout project article.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up/roadside county day-use site, not a hike-in spot: it sits directly along the Grande Ronde River about 400 yards south of the small community of Lower Perry, reached via local roads off I-84 exit 257 (two miles west of La Grande). No trail, trailhead, or hiking distance applies; any approach from a parking area would be a short walk, but no source specifies its exact length.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Site is officially posted 'swim at your own risk' at Union County's own recommendation, with no lifeguard or staffed supervision (per unioncountyor.gov/parks and 2009 La Grande Observer coverage). No source describes actual depth, bottom type, or current strength at the swimming area, so caregivers should treat it as an unsupervised natural river spot rather than a managed beach.
Restrooms
None on site
No restroom is mentioned in either the county parks listing (unioncountyor.gov/parks) or the 2009 La Grande Observer article detailing the Eagle Scout project's full list of site improvements (two identification signs, a picnic table, a metal bench, and cable fencing/gate). Since that article catalogs everything added to the site, the absence of any restroom mention indicates none is on site, though this is inferred rather than explicitly stated as 'no restroom.'
On the water
No source discusses watercraft use, restrictions, or launch access at the Perry site itself. Background research shows the Grande Ronde River does support kayaking/rafting (class II-III, with one class IV rapid) on its federally designated Wild and Scenic segment starting near Minam, roughly 20+ miles north/downstream of Perry and hydrologically distinct from the calmer valley reach that runs past Perry -- so that general river-recreation context should not be assumed to apply to this specific swimming hole without a site-specific source.
Backstory
The 1.3-acre parcel was used for decades of informal community swimming while still owned by Union County as a gravel source for road projects. In 2008 the county moved to auction it as surplus property; resident Dallas Armon and others successfully lobbied commissioners to withdraw it from sale, arguing it was a longstanding public recreation area. In 2009, the county formally designated it a fee-free day-use park, and La Grande High School student Michael Quebbeman (Troop 586) completed an Eagle Scout project adding signage, a picnic table, a bench, and cable fencing/gate.
Perry Swimming Hole: FAQ
Does Perry Swimming Hole charge a fee?
No entrance fee; the county deliberately kept it free/unposted for fees to limit liability exposure while still designating it a public park.
Is Perry Swimming Hole kid friendly?
Site is officially posted 'swim at your own risk' at Union County's own recommendation, with no lifeguard or staffed supervision (per unioncountyor.gov/parks and 2009 La Grande Observer coverage). No source describes actual depth, bottom type, or current strength at the swimming area, so caregivers should treat it as an unsupervised natural river spot rather than a managed beach.
Do I need to hike to reach Perry Swimming Hole?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Perry Swimming Hole?
No source describes a parking lot, pullout, or roadside parking arrangement specifically. Access is via local roads about two miles west of La Grande from I-84 exit 257, roughly 400 yards south of the Lower Perry area, but no source documents the parking situation at the site itself.
When is the best time to visit Perry Swimming Hole?
Summer (described by the county and locals as busiest on hot summer days).
What are the rules at Perry Swimming Hole?
County-designated day-use park with no camping/overnight use described; site is posted 'swim at your own risk' on the recommendation of the county attorney, and there is no lifeguard or staffed supervision.
What water body is Perry Swimming Hole on?
Perry Swimming Hole is on Grande Ronde River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
