Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole
Cle Elum, Washington · on Cooper River · Wenatchee National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5/vehicle
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole
Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole is a natural river pool on the Cooper River right at Salmon La Sac Campground in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, about 19 miles north of Cle Elum, WA on the edge of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The Forest Service lists swimming among the campground's activities, and travel writers describe a deep, teal-emerald pool over granite/river stone with a rope swing.
The swimming hole sits where the Cooper River borders Salmon La Sac Campground at about 2,300-2,500 feet elevation in the Cascade Range, framed by Douglas fir forest and mountain views right at the doorstep of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Swimming at Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole
First-hand accounts describe teal-colored water sliding over smooth granite boulders and river stones before widening into a deep, cold, emerald-green pool reported at roughly 8 feet deep, with a rope swing on site; described as easily accessible right from the road/campground.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Cle Elum, take Highway 903 (Salmon La Sac Road) north approximately 19 miles to the Salmon La Sac Campground entrance; the swimming hole is on the Cooper River at/near the campground. From Seattle, take I-90 east about 80 miles to exit 80, then follow signs north on WA-903 to Salmon La Sac Road.
Parking: Roadside/campground parking near Salmon La Sac Campground and the adjacent Salmon La Sac Trailhead; the Forest Service notes the trailhead area is 'extremely busy 7 days a week during the summer months' and advises visitors to have a backup plan and observe posted parking signs.
The hike in
- Time on foot
- Under 5 minutes on foot from parking
No hike is needed to reach the swimming hole itself -- it's a short walk (well under 5 minutes) from the Salmon La Sac Trailhead/campground parking lot down to the river's edge. Note: the Cooper River Trail and Pete Lake Trailhead depart from the same general area for those wanting an actual hike afterward, but they are separate, longer trails into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and are not required to reach the swim spot.
A free self-issue Alpine Lakes Wilderness permit is required only if continuing past the trailhead onto actual trails, not for accessing the riverside swim area.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The main pool is reported around 8 feet deep with a rope swing, so it's not a shallow wading spot; no lifeguards are present, water is cold year-round, and it sits at the base of a river reach that carries real current/whitewater upstream (see hike/watercraft notes), so supervision matters even though access itself is easy right from the road.
Parking
Paid, $5/vehicle/day or $30/year (Northwest Forest Pass/Interagency pass accepted) at the Salmon La Sac Trailhead lot; camping at the adjacent campground is $27/night single site ($54 double), +$11/night per extra vehicle
Parking is at the Salmon La Sac Trailhead/campground lot directly beside the river. USFS explicitly warns this lot is 'extremely busy 7 days a week during the summer months' and advises visitors to have a backup plan; roadside parking along Salmon La Sac Road may also be used when the lot fills.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets and potable water are provided at Salmon La Sac Campground, immediately adjacent to the swim spot; no separate dedicated restroom for the swimming area itself.
Water clarity
Clear
Two independent first-hand visitor accounts describe 'teal' and 'emerald' water over granite and river stones, and paddlers note the reach is best run 'after the snowmelt drops and by July, when the weather is warm and the water is clear.' That is consistent with typical clear, cold, glacially influenced Cascade snowmelt water that is clearest in mid-to-late summer.
Hours
No posted daily hours specific to the swim spot. Salmon La Sac Campground operates late May through mid-September (closed to camping October-April); the trailhead/day-use area is reachable via Salmon La Sac Road whenever the road is open (typically closed by snow in winter). The Cle Elum Ranger District office is open Mon, Wed-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm (closed Tue and federal holidays) for questions/permits.
On the water
Restrictions: The Cooper River immediately upstream of this spot (Cooper Road put-in to the Salmon La Sac Trailhead take-out, ~1.7 miles) is a technical Class IV-V whitewater run (avg. gradient 107 fpm, includes a rapid nicknamed 'Norm's Resort') suited only to expert whitewater kayakers, mainly during spring snowmelt -- not a casual paddling, canoeing, or paddleboarding destination. The swim spot itself is the calm pool/eddy at that take-out, which American Whitewater describes as becoming 'a popular day-use site for swimming later in the summer' once flows drop. No canoe/SUP/motorboat use is documented or practical here; there's also an annual whitewater slalom race ('Salmon la Sac Slalom') held on this reach.
This is not a lake or flatwater paddling spot -- treat it as a swimming-only river pool, with kayaking limited to expert whitewater boaters running the upstream section in high water.
What regulars say
Paddler trip reports corroborate that this stretch of the Cooper River is a serious Class IV-V run in spring and early summer and only becomes calm, clear swimming water later in the season as flows drop, so timing matters more here than at a typical lazy-river swim spot. Two independent first-hand accounts both describe the pool as cold even in summer and note it was historically a locals'-only spot that has since become more widely known.
Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole: FAQ
Does Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole charge a fee?
No specific day-use fee is documented for the swimming hole itself. The adjacent Salmon La Sac Trailhead charges $5/vehicle/day or $30/year (Northwest Forest Pass and Interagency passes accepted). Salmon La Sac Campground charges $27/night for a single site (double $54/night, plus $11/night per additional vehicle).
Is Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole kid friendly?
The main pool is reported around 8 feet deep with a rope swing, so it's not a shallow wading spot; no lifeguards are present, water is cold year-round, and it sits at the base of a river reach that carries real current/whitewater upstream (see hike/watercraft notes), so supervision matters even though access itself is easy right from the road.
Do I need to hike to reach Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole?
Parking is at the Salmon La Sac Trailhead/campground lot directly beside the river. USFS explicitly warns this lot is 'extremely busy 7 days a week during the summer months' and advises visitors to have a backup plan; roadside parking along Salmon La Sac Road may also be used when the lot fills.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole?
This is not a lake or flatwater paddling spot -- treat it as a swimming-only river pool, with kayaking limited to expert whitewater boaters running the upstream section in high water.
When is the best time to visit Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole?
Summer (roughly late May through mid-September, matching the campground's operating season); described by one first-hand account as cold even in summer.
What are the rules at Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole?
Campground/trailhead area is on Forest Service land; Stage 2 fire restrictions were in effect at time of research (no open fires); pets must be leashed in the campground; a free Alpine Lakes Wilderness permit is required for trail use beyond the trailhead; bears are commonly seen and food storage is required.
What water body is Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole on?
Salmon La Sac Swimming Hole is on Cooper River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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