Swimming, cliff jumping, and awesome hiking await those who head to Mount Rainier’s Silver Falls Trail and the Blue Hole swimming area near the La Wis Wis Campground. Two hours from downtown Seattle, the drive is worth every minute. To reach the Blue Hole, all you need to do is walk a short distance from the La Wis Wis campground. Be ready for glacial-fed water, a shady, gravel “beach,” and incredible swimming. While enjoying the water is all you may want to do, consider making a day out of it and exploring the easy and gorgeous Silver Falls Loop Trail. 

A short 48 mile drive on I-90 will get you to a classic hike and lake in the Snoqualmie region of the Cascades. Known as the Ira Springs Trail, named after lifelong nature photographer and conservationist Ira Spring, this steep trail is worth the effort for both the views, wildflowers and the chance to dip in Mason Lake. At 6.5 miles round trip and gaining 2,400 feet of elevation, this is a tough hike for many. Once you get to the top of the trail, head down to Mason Lake to cool off and relax before the hike back down the trail. Be aware that mosquitoes can be quite bad at the lake.  

Offering picture perfect views of the mountain and the greater Mount Rainier region, Sourdough Gap and Sheep Lake is a classic. Sheep Lake, found 90 miles from Seattle, isn’t for swimming, as it isn’t that deep, but on a hot day it is great place to wade and cool your feet after the hike. This hike is six miles round trip with just a little over 1,000 feet of elevation gain—not too far and not too steep. The water here won’t be frigid in the late summer months, letting you enjoy it a little longer than some of the other lakes in the region. 

Often overlooked, Mirror Lake is a 70 mile drive and a short hike away from Seattle. After around three miles of hiking on a trail that relatively flat compared to most trails around Snoqualmie, Mirror Lake offers good wading and swimming. This large lake is a nice escape from the crowded lake trails found right along the Interstate. More adventurous hikers can scramble up the nearby ridges for impressive views before taking a dip in the refreshing waters. 

Found along the iconic Mountain Loop Highway, Boardman Lake is an easy-to-reach, family-friendly swimming spot. Located along a two-mile long roundtrip trail, the lake is huge, giving numerous spots to wade, float or swim. While the area, just 64 miles from downtown Seattle, can get pretty popular on the weekends, the lake is just far enough away from the city to hold off really massive crowds. Be aware that the lake here is very cold most of the summer and that the mosquitoes can be bad. Don’t let that stop your adventure though, as this is a fantastic swimming spot. 

Also found along the scenic Mountain Loop Highway, this destination found 74 miles from town is for those looking for something truly rugged and wild. The hike to reach Gothic Basin and Foggy Lake isn’t easy, nor should it be attempted by novice hikers. Those who do sweat up to this incredible basin are rewarded with jaw-dropping views and an incredible lake for wading or swimming. The hike is 9.2 miles round trip and gains nearly 3,000 feet of elevation, but again, the basin is completely worth the effort for moderate to advanced hikers. A dip in the waters here is second-to-none and will quickly become one of your favorite hikes in the state.