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Nothing but a quaint resort, some private cabins, a church camp and a few campsites line the water, so there’s still a primitive beauty to the small lake on the eastern flank of Santiam Pass. There has been limited development around Suttle Lake. Best Secret Oregon Swimming Hole #7: SUTTLE LAKE Campsites surround the small lake, so pack in camping gear if you want to make a night of it. The opal water is a comfortable 70 degrees in August, so it’s perfect for spending all day in the water. There aren’t any beaches, so bring a floatie or find a big rock to lounge on. The only thing that stands between you and this stunning alpine lake are some gravel roads and a somewhat steep mile-long trail. It’s more off the beaten path than nearby Timothy or Trillium lakes, but it’s well worth the excursion. Hood, Buck Lake is perfect for anyone with a bathing suit who is looking for a day away from the Portland area. Best Secret Oregon Swimming Hole #6: BUCK LAKE Check at Service Creek for water levels. During the late summer this desert region can be one of the hottest places in the state, so a river swim is a given when the river is lower and slower. With miles of trails and campsites for hikers and bicyclists, the John Day is one of many recreational opportunities in the area. The vast, rugged terrain is teeming with steep canyon walls carved by the river, arid grasslands, big horn sheep and rolling hills. Oregon’s newest state park, Cottonwood Canyon State Park, is located on the John Day River between Wasco and Condon. Best Secret Oregon Swimming Hole #5: JOHN DAY RIVER There are picnic tables shaded by big leaf maples and eddies perfect for leisurely swimming- just stay upstream, as there are rapids downriver. For a more relaxed atmosphere, try the Big Eddy day-use area near Estacada. On a sunny day, rambunctious floaters swarm the stretch between Barton and Carver parks, and thrill-seeking teenagers head to High Rocks. It also cuts through Oregon City and Gladstone on its way to the Willamette River, making it very accessible from the Portland metro area. Most of the Clackamas River is serene and beautiful with its long stretches of calm, clear water and luscious shoreline greenery. Best Secret Oregon Swimming Hole #4: CLACKAMAS RIVER The entire river valley is worth exploration, but two idyllic swimming holes can be found near Cave Junction: Illinois River Forks State Park (where the river’s east and west forks converge) and Store Gulch Campground. Surrounded by the Kalmiopsis Wilderness and the Siskiyou National Forest, the river flows through the Oregon Coast Range and down steep canyons toward the Rogue River. With sandy beaches, deep blue-green pools and cliffs for jumping, the Illinois River is as fun as it is beautiful. Best Secret Oregon Swimming Hole #3:ILLINOIS RIVER The luscious greenery and cascading pools seem like something you would find in Rivendell- save for the college kids. Bring a floatie, inner tube or even a yoga mat to slide down the rock slide, unless you’ve got tough skin. Best Secret Oregon Swimming Hole #2: LAKE CREEK FALLSĪ popular getaway for local families and college kids from Eugene and Corvallis, Lake Creek Falls (also known as Triangle Lake Slide Rock, Triangle Falls or simply Rock Slide) is a charming oasis near Triangle Lake with waterfalls, swimming holes and a natural water slide. Because of the crater’s depth, the surface temperature rarely gets above 60 degrees, but the refreshing plunge will be all the more rewarding when you surface and remember where you are. The only legal swimming area is at Cleetwood Cove where you can dive into the sapphire waters from cliffs or take the safer approach and wade in from the rocky shore. If you’ve never admired the strikingly blue waters of Crater Lake and thought, “I’d really like to swim in that,” then this article isn’t for you. Best Secret Oregon Swimming Hole #1: CRATER LAKE Follow the ‘Leave no trace’ principle, be respectful, and you may even make friends with the locals who claim these swimming holes as their own.
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Whatever your tolerance for crowds may be, the plunge into Oregon’s beautiful, fresh waters will not disappoint. A refreshing plunge into clear, crisp water is requisite for happiness in the summer months, but rowdy crowds can spoil the pristine beauty. Oregonians have a pretty friendly reputation, but when it comes to their swimming spots, they can get protective of hidden oases, and rightfully so. Written by Anna Bird | photos by Christie MacLean The best Oregon swimming holes that only the locals know about