Coho Campground
Montesano, Washington · on Wynoochee Lake · Olympic National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $40/night
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Coho Campground
Coho Campground sits on the west shore of Wynoochee Lake, a reservoir impounded by Wynoochee Dam within Olympic National Forest near Montesano, Washington. The USFS-operated campground has a developed boat launch and lists swimming among its official recreation activities, making the reservoir a sanctioned swimming hole alongside boating and fishing.
The campground and lake sit in the Olympic Mountain foothills, ringed by evergreen conifer and hardwood forest, with mountain views to the north. Wynoochee Lake is a reservoir created by the Wynoochee Dam rather than a natural lake.
Swimming at Coho Campground
Swimming is an officially listed activity at Wynoochee Lake from the Coho Campground area, entered from a gently sloped boat launch ramp near the campground; water level and clarity vary seasonally with reservoir operations, and a first-hand account from September 2025 described unusually low water (37 feet below the normal high-water mark) exposing rocks, mud, and submerged logs along the shoreline.
How to get to this swimming hole
Wynoochee Lake and Coho Campground are reached via forest roads roughly an hour's drive from Aberdeen, Washington, off Highway 12/Wynoochee Valley Road into Olympic National Forest.
Parking: Boat launch and campground parking available at Coho Campground; one visitor described the boat launch lot as spacious and rarely busy.
The hike in
No hike is needed to swim, access is a short walk from the campground/boat-launch parking lot (one visitor described walking about 15 minutes from her campsite to the ramp, 'just on the other side of the campground'). The separate 12-mile-roundtrip (up to 16-mile full loop) Wynoochee Lake Shore Trail #878 also starts at the north end of the day-use area within Coho Campground, but per Washington Trails Association the trail runs through forest away from the water for most of its length and 'the lake is generally out of sight', it is a hiking/backpacking loop, not a route to the swim spot.
For hikers wanting the loop trail (not required for swimming): WTA rates it moderate/hard, 12.0 mi roundtrip minimum with 1,100 ft elevation gain, involving small creek crossings and either a ford of the Wynoochee River or a 2-mile detour to a bridge near Maidenhair Falls.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Entry is via the boat-launch ramp/shoreline near Coho Campground rather than a designated sand swim beach, and there is no lifeguard. A September 2025 first-hand account found the reservoir 37 ft below normal pool, exposing rocks, mud, and submerged logs/stumps along the shoreline, and posted signage near the dam warns of dangerous undercurrents when the lake is at normal flow. Suitable for kids with adult supervision, especially checking current water level/conditions before entering.
Parking
Lot
A dedicated parking area sits at the boat ramp on the edge of the campground (one visitor described it as spacious and rarely busy). Camping fees include 2 vehicles ($40 standard/$35 walk-in/$90 yurt per night, extra vehicle $5/day); boat launch/trailer use carries a separate $5 fee (weekend permit also $5). No distinct day-use-only parking fee was found for visitors who just want to swim without camping or launching a boat.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and potable water are provided at Coho Campground (confirmed by both the USFS Olympic National Forest page and the Recreation.gov listing); no separate restroom noted specifically at the boat launch/swim area.
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
A regional tourism aggregator (visitgraysharbor.com) describes the lake as having 'crystal-clear waters,' but this is a reservoir whose level is managed by Wynoochee Dam, and a September 2025 first-hand visitor account documented the lake 37 ft below normal pool with exposed rocks, mud, and sticks/logs along the shoreline, conditions that would make the water murkier and debris-laden. Clarity likely depends heavily on season and current reservoir management/water level; no direct in-water clarity report at normal (higher) pool was found.
Hours
Developed campground/lake access season runs May 20 through October 1 (per USFS); no separate daily open/close hours found for the boat launch or shoreline swim area.
On the water
Restrictions: Boat launch and boating/fishing are officially listed activities; the ramp can close to trailers during low-water periods. No explicit no-wake, horsepower, or electric-only restriction was found in official sources.
A visitor account from a low-water period abandoned inflatable-kayak plans because the ramp was closed to trailers and the exposed shoreline had stumps/logs that could damage gear, a reminder to check current lake level before bringing watercraft.
Coho Campground: FAQ
Does Coho Campground charge a fee?
Standard campsite $40/night, walk-in site $35/night, yurt $90/night, group sites $50-$55/night; boat launch fee $5 (weekend permit also $5); additional vehicle $5/day. No separate day-use swimming fee identified.
Is Coho Campground kid friendly?
Entry is via the boat-launch ramp/shoreline near Coho Campground rather than a designated sand swim beach, and there is no lifeguard. A September 2025 first-hand account found the reservoir 37 ft below normal pool, exposing rocks, mud, and submerged logs/stumps along the shoreline, and posted signage near the dam warns of dangerous undercurrents when the lake is at normal flow. Suitable for kids with adult supervision, especially checking current water level/conditions before entering.
Do I need to hike to reach Coho Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Coho Campground?
A dedicated parking area sits at the boat ramp on the edge of the campground (one visitor described it as spacious and rarely busy). Camping fees include 2 vehicles ($40 standard/$35 walk-in/$90 yurt per night, extra vehicle $5/day); boat launch/trailer use carries a separate $5 fee (weekend permit also $5). No distinct day-use-only parking fee was found for visitors who just want to swim without camping or launching a boat.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Coho Campground?
A visitor account from a low-water period abandoned inflatable-kayak plans because the ramp was closed to trailers and the exposed shoreline had stumps/logs that could damage gear, a reminder to check current lake level before bringing watercraft.
When is the best time to visit Coho Campground?
Campground and developed access open May 20 through October 1 (summer season); a first-hand account noted markedly low reservoir levels in September 2025 that reduced swimming/boating appeal.
What are the rules at Coho Campground?
No horses or pack animals permitted; yurts are non-smoking; sites #57-58 prohibit additional tents/RVs; Stage 1 fire restrictions apply during high fire danger; no commercial services at the lake so visitors are advised to arrive with sufficient fuel.
What water body is Coho Campground on?
Coho Campground is on Wynoochee Lake, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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