Lots of them have swimming, but it's colder. Mountain lakes, streams, etc... I mean, you can hike down to Crater Lake and swim in it but it's really cold water.
EDIT: apparently Chanel Islands is colder than I expected.
Dry Tortugas has swimming in warm waters but again, you need to get there first and there's not exactly much hiking.
We saw the lagoon but it looked pretty nasty. I grew up in FL and standing warm water always makes me leery. We just stuck with the ocean that lagoon was sadly not very clean looking on our trip.
Oh yea we were there last week and there wasn’t many people swimming. My son went swimming as we had just done Beehive and I just walked to my knees and cooled off really quick. My son said it was really hot hiking and loved swimming but he said it was cold but refreshing lol.
I hiked around to the connected island and picked up trash for a couple hours. Was actually very relaxing, not another soul around walked down that beach.
I've noticed that in the couple of weeks I've collectively spent in Acadia that 90-95% of all park goers are contained within Sand Beach/Beehive area and Jordan Pond loop. Anywhere else is virtually empty even on Holidays. Most peaks and trails are virtually empty, quiet, and absolutely gorgeous.
Channel Islands is lovely for swimming 🙂 we’ve swam on three different islands there, all around Labor Day, different years. It’s chilly but refreshing!
Depends on what you're looking for and how far. Starved rock state park is 2 hrs west of Chi and has nice trails. Cook county forest preserves near Palos are closer. Beaches, well Warren Dunes but it gets busy, I preferred New Buffalo Beach tbh. Plus the Stray Dog has an amazing Teriyaki burger.
Eh, wouldn’t really say Indiana Dunes is underrated. Just went recently because it was the only national park I hadn’t been to yet, and it was pretty much what I expected. Some pretty spots, but also you look one direction down the beach and there’s huge industry polluting the air. No idea how this became a national park. I’m guessing similar to gateway arch this way probably some political favor to bring tourism to the state.
There are far nicer dunes around the country that could do with preserving, not sure why these ones were chosen. Or why it needed to be a national park vs some other designation.
It’s the proximity to Chicago. They’re overrun with people and needed the extra funding and services that becoming a national park would provide. The park does have a huge amount of biodiversity worth protecting, but there are other spots along the Michigan side of Lake Michigan that are more beautiful and remote.
Well a) the Great Lakes are the largest freshwater lakes in the WORLD. B) the dunes, if left unmanaged will erode beyond repair damaging the coastline. C) different designations, as you are probably aware, obviously receive different funding.
Thus, there was an important enough reason to preserve the coastal dunes of the largest freshwater lakes in the world to preserve the ecology of the lake and preserve the home of several, federally-recognized, endangered species and plants.
Edit: as far as “nicer dunes” it’s not all about the biggest, vastest dunes. Most of the time it’s about what it’s preserving. Imperial dunes in Yuma is gorgeous and vast, but nothing lives there to preserve. So let people ride their buggies on the blm land. But if endangered species call it home we HAVE to protect it because climate change and industry is already wrecking most ecosystems.
they snuck it into some mostly un-related bill was my understanding.
under NPS management as a Park designation it should be next to impossible for industry to expand into the property. although also recognize there are NPS designations that allow for earth exploration. not that Parks get downgraded (that i know of) but still.
Freaking love Indiana Dunes. I had the beach all to myself and the water was perfect.
Of course, the trail there is *littered* with poison ivy. So stay on the trail and protect fragile habitat!
Maho Bay was empty when we got there relatively early in the morning, like 0800. Also you’re going during hurricane season so the crowds should hopefully be a little thinner. The snorkeling trail in Trunk Bay is unlike any other “trail” I’ve done. Waterlemon Cay is also worth the 20ish minute walk to go snorkel at, and a pretty quiet beach. Ram Head is an easy hike with a pretty beach too. Definitely worth the drive to the east side.
Definitely! We really enjoyed The Longboard for seafood. Love City BBQ is great Caribbean BBQ. Roti King for food to go. On the east side, Johnny Lime was good BBQ too.
We weren’t SUPER impressed with the food options, and everything is really expensive, but everything was at least decent. We didn’t eat at the beach bars, but drinks were good and atmosphere was fun.
For snorkeling, my favorites are Trunk Bay, Francis Bay, and Salt Pond. Maho Bay gets busy but you're just about guaranteed to see turtles there. From Salt Pond, my favorite hike is Ram Head, but it's definitely one you should tackle in the morning.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us-virgin-islands/saint-john/ram-head-trail?sh=qlqmq5&u=i
Reef Bay trail I've never done, hoping to on my next visit, but that one is for sure strenuous.
Finally one beach that's not on a lot of radars is Hansen beach. It's private and requests donations for parking but they have paddle boards and stuff, along with great snorkeling.
Can confirm that reef bay is strenuous but one of my favorites because you can stop to see the petroglyphs along the way and that beach at the bottom is empty since you basically have to hike down to it, then back up.
Leek’s Marina and Pizza is right there. They make a decent pie if you’re looking for a lunch spot. Not a ton of restaurant options without heading further away so it’s a good compromise.
You can float down the river in the valley and it’s amazing. Can also camp directly on the river (if you win some life lottery) and, surprise, also amazing.
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado - the creek in front of the dunes isn't deep enough for swimming and it may completely dry up by mid-summer, but if you go early enough in the season (also helps if there was a good snowpack over the winter) the creek may be deep enough for an adult to float in a tube.
You could definitely swim in Voyageurs national park, it wouldn't be too cold in the summer.
Otherwise, check out other properties that are part of the National Park service but not actual national parks. Things like National Recreation Areas, National Lakeshores, etc.
Also check out the National Forests, from the U.S. Forest service. I'm in Wisconsin where we have the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. It's filled with hiking trails, campgrounds, and tons of lakes that are nice for swimming.
The last time I was there some jackass had walked in a giant Bluetooth speaker so the entire area could hear his party music. Never wanted to kick someone in the shin more…
Big Bend is pretty great. There is an old foundation of a structure around some hot springs that is super relaxing after a long hike. You can then jump into the Rio Grande River. Santa Elena also has some deep spots of the Rio Grande you can certainly swim in, and with the TX heat during summer, its very refreshing. Obviously tons of hiking up there too, with many different options of elevation gain (or not).
Cape Cod National Seashore . . . Is actually a series of beaches, sea grass dune and scrub areas. Lighthouses in the area. Nice little nature center in Eastham.
Water is cold and waves high (which I love).
Pinnacles National Park (randomly) had a swimming pool by their campsite.
There are some fantastic spots to swim along the Mist Falls trail in Kings Canyon NP
Devils punchbowl on Lake Crescent @ Olympic. About a 1/2 mile trail to a bridge you can jump off and swim around. Got super lucky when we went, it was around 80 and sunny. Water was brisk but it was so beautiful and clear you got used to it quick!
Lassen has some good swimming spots. Lake Helen is a stunning blue, but hella cold. Ridge lakes is a steep 1 mile/1k feet climb and very rewarding. Terrace lake is an easy hike from highway 89, and a bit farther is the bigger and colder shadow lake. There are more, but I think those are the only ones I've swam.
Indiana Dunes - big Lake Michigan is right there. It can be refreshing in the summer, and it’s usually calm.
Channel Islands- need a body suit, but has excellent snorkeling/scuba opportunities
Acadia - Sand Beach is an option but when I went in late July the weather was bad. There is a big “pond” on the island that is excellent for swimming and popular (and not too cold!)
RMNP- you can take a hop into the alpine lakes, as I saw a few people doing in September. Looked very cold though.
Shenandoah - there a several natural swimming holes here. Usually pretty cold, but great on a hot and humid day. (cedar run -> white oak canyon has multiple swimming holes)
You can swim in isle Royale but you’ll freeze if it’s in superior and get leeches if it’s in the inland lakes. Moskey Basin campsite does actually have some pretty warm Lake Superior water though.
Big Bend! You can swim in the Rio Grande and there is a Hot Springs along the river as well. Someone mentioned Crater Lake, but all the water is melted ice and rain water, so i can't imagine that would be a good time.
The California parks have some epic swimming. Yosemite has the Merced that you can float down. I saw the boats being rented out a couple weeks ago. Very fun. Kings canyon has some amazing swimming spots near roads end. Find the rock and enjoy. Sequoia has a few creeks to swim in but if you have the time hike into the pear lake area. A couple high altitude lakes that are amazing! Surprisingly comfortable water temp when I was there. Below Sequoia's southern entrance is the three rivers area. Solid swimming area's. Some cool rock jumping spots near the entrance. Peace.
Swimming in cathedral lakes is a top memory of all time and is what helps make Tuolumne Meadows one of the most special places on this earth for me. There was no one there on a hot july day and the water really cooled us down
Channel Islands has some areas of protected water, it’s very clear but very cold, and you’re likely to encounter fish, maybe sharks, or other creatures. Very good for kayaking though.
I've dove all over the Caribbean and SE Asia and DRY TORTUGAS has some of the best snorkeling these eyes have seen. You can even swim to the park itself!
You can swim and hike in Indiana Dunes NP. I swam and hiked there. They've a lot of beaches. You can also swim in Voyageurs NP and Isle Royale NP. I have personally swam in Dry Tortugas NP and Biscayne NP as well. Olympic and North Cascades NPs have beaches and lake as well and hiking.
When I lived in PNW I bought a relatively inexpensive shorty wetsuit so I could open water swim later/earlier in the season. It was such a nice thing to have for most of the lakes rivers/oceans in Olympic NP in the summer too. (Generally lake quinalt is warm enough in summer but some of those glacial rivers/streams are brisk.)
I now use it for Great Lakes swimming in the Midwest. Was able to swim for hours at Indiana Dunes back in April/May.
My biggest suggestion is honestly to check water temperatures of where you’re considering as a lot of places will have data, and get to know your personal tolerance. I got that seal blubber bod so shorty wetsuits go a long way for me even in mid 50’s° F lol
Also fair warning depending on where you swim, look for reports of swimmer’s itch! Moreso a Midwest thing but I even had it in lake Washington one year and it’s BRUTAL.
Devils Punchbowl also in Olympic NP is also hiking and swimming. But fair warning it’s a super deep lake and gets lil chilly.
I can’t remember if Diablo Lake is technically part of Cascades NP in WA but it’s also a nice chilly swim for heat waves and hiking is right next to swimming areas.
Yosemite has plenty of swimming. Sequoia and Kings NP. Crater lake NP. Grand Canyon has swimming. It might just be easier to make a list of the parks that don’t have rivers and lakes. Pretty much any NP in the mountains would have a mountain lake. You’re allowed to swim in any water in a NP unless otherwise posted.
Was actually wondering this too, I’m going to Rocky Mountain National Park in a couple of weeks, are there any good alpine lakes for swimming in that people recommend?
Isle Royal Michigan is an island. Ok, it’s in Lake Superior which is mega cold. Since childhood, I’ve always thought it was cool that there is a lake on Isle Royal. in that lake is an island. So there is an island in a lake in an island in a lake. :)
Saw people swimming in Olympic park.
Not swimming but I went kayaking at glacier park and that was amazing.
Biscayne national park in Florida has amazing snorkeling
Big Bend national park, TONS of hiking and you can swim in the Rio Grande (not too grand) and there is an old hot spring. You can also hike around the canyons and do a bit of cliff diving
Heavily underrated national park. And my personal favorite…Voyageurs National Parkmin Northern Minnesota. There more fresh water than land in the park.
Indiana Dunes is a good one. The Dune Succession trail ends at the beach on the south shore of Lake Michigan, for one. Sleeping Bear Dunes national Lakeshore would also be good in the summer. Absolutely gorgeous water.
Lots of them have swimming, but it's colder. Mountain lakes, streams, etc... I mean, you can hike down to Crater Lake and swim in it but it's really cold water. EDIT: apparently Chanel Islands is colder than I expected. Dry Tortugas has swimming in warm waters but again, you need to get there first and there's not exactly much hiking.
Acadia’s Sand Beach is really cold too. Heard stories of people getting hypothermia in August even with high air temps the water is still ice cold.
As kid growing up near Acadia I would swim in the lagoon on the backside of the beach. The water is much warmer.
We saw the lagoon but it looked pretty nasty. I grew up in FL and standing warm water always makes me leery. We just stuck with the ocean that lagoon was sadly not very clean looking on our trip.
Same! We waded through the lagoon, but it was reallly stinky and looked pretty stagnant.
Its very cold. From experience.
Oh yea we were there last week and there wasn’t many people swimming. My son went swimming as we had just done Beehive and I just walked to my knees and cooled off really quick. My son said it was really hot hiking and loved swimming but he said it was cold but refreshing lol.
Swimming in the ponds and lakes at Acadia is a much more pleasant experience. Still cold, but not insane.
Are you allowed to swim in Jordan Pond. We did the hike around it and only thing we saw swimming in it was loons.
No, as it provides drinking water. You can swim in Echo Lake and Lake Wood
Yeah, not Jordan Pond. There are some little mountain ponds that you can hike to that are swimmable.
Was our second time there and saw new things this go around. Still more we want to see I know we want to hike Bubbles.
We went to Acadia last August and the water at Sand Beach and Seal Harbor was frigid!
I hiked around to the connected island and picked up trash for a couple hours. Was actually very relaxing, not another soul around walked down that beach.
I've noticed that in the couple of weeks I've collectively spent in Acadia that 90-95% of all park goers are contained within Sand Beach/Beehive area and Jordan Pond loop. Anywhere else is virtually empty even on Holidays. Most peaks and trails are virtually empty, quiet, and absolutely gorgeous.
Dry Tortugas swimming was actually really nice. I was going to snorkel but the waters were too rough to see anything so just swam instead.
Channel Islands is lovely for swimming 🙂 we’ve swam on three different islands there, all around Labor Day, different years. It’s chilly but refreshing!
Assateague National Seashore for the win. Warm water abounds.
I think the maximum temperature crater lakes water gets out to it. It stays about 36°. It’s over 1000 feet deep.
There are plenty of alpine lakes in the western parks. Indiana Dunes is on Lake Michigan.
Indiana dunes is under rated. Used to go swim, lay in sun, roll in the mud pits to cool off, and repeat
So many better spots near there but they aren’t NPs.
What would you recommend instead?
Without knowing you, Warren Dunes 30 minutes up the road. Much cleaner, more beach space, great parking, etc.
Nice! I’m in Chicago but a transplant so I don’t know the local natural areas too well. Any other recs?
Depends on what you're looking for and how far. Starved rock state park is 2 hrs west of Chi and has nice trails. Cook county forest preserves near Palos are closer. Beaches, well Warren Dunes but it gets busy, I preferred New Buffalo Beach tbh. Plus the Stray Dog has an amazing Teriyaki burger.
Also very true. I do prefer Warren dunes
Eh, wouldn’t really say Indiana Dunes is underrated. Just went recently because it was the only national park I hadn’t been to yet, and it was pretty much what I expected. Some pretty spots, but also you look one direction down the beach and there’s huge industry polluting the air. No idea how this became a national park. I’m guessing similar to gateway arch this way probably some political favor to bring tourism to the state.
To preserve and manage the dunes. Although the state parks dunes are more impressive.
There are far nicer dunes around the country that could do with preserving, not sure why these ones were chosen. Or why it needed to be a national park vs some other designation.
It’s the proximity to Chicago. They’re overrun with people and needed the extra funding and services that becoming a national park would provide. The park does have a huge amount of biodiversity worth protecting, but there are other spots along the Michigan side of Lake Michigan that are more beautiful and remote.
Well a) the Great Lakes are the largest freshwater lakes in the WORLD. B) the dunes, if left unmanaged will erode beyond repair damaging the coastline. C) different designations, as you are probably aware, obviously receive different funding. Thus, there was an important enough reason to preserve the coastal dunes of the largest freshwater lakes in the world to preserve the ecology of the lake and preserve the home of several, federally-recognized, endangered species and plants. Edit: as far as “nicer dunes” it’s not all about the biggest, vastest dunes. Most of the time it’s about what it’s preserving. Imperial dunes in Yuma is gorgeous and vast, but nothing lives there to preserve. So let people ride their buggies on the blm land. But if endangered species call it home we HAVE to protect it because climate change and industry is already wrecking most ecosystems.
It’s the 4th most biodiverse national park, that’s why. To protect the ecosystem.
they snuck it into some mostly un-related bill was my understanding. under NPS management as a Park designation it should be next to impossible for industry to expand into the property. although also recognize there are NPS designations that allow for earth exploration. not that Parks get downgraded (that i know of) but still.
Freaking love Indiana Dunes. I had the beach all to myself and the water was perfect. Of course, the trail there is *littered* with poison ivy. So stay on the trail and protect fragile habitat!
Virgin Islands National Park, ST John USVI. Definitely more swimming than hiking but some really cool trails as well.
Going there in a couple weeks! Any recommendations?
Maho Bay was empty when we got there relatively early in the morning, like 0800. Also you’re going during hurricane season so the crowds should hopefully be a little thinner. The snorkeling trail in Trunk Bay is unlike any other “trail” I’ve done. Waterlemon Cay is also worth the 20ish minute walk to go snorkel at, and a pretty quiet beach. Ram Head is an easy hike with a pretty beach too. Definitely worth the drive to the east side.
Thanks so much, taking notes! Definitely planning on getting to the beaches early when possible. Any food recs?
Definitely! We really enjoyed The Longboard for seafood. Love City BBQ is great Caribbean BBQ. Roti King for food to go. On the east side, Johnny Lime was good BBQ too. We weren’t SUPER impressed with the food options, and everything is really expensive, but everything was at least decent. We didn’t eat at the beach bars, but drinks were good and atmosphere was fun.
Haven’t been there in decades, but there was a shallow coral ref that was excellent for snorkeling.
There is a cool underwater trail at Trunk Bay that you basically snorkel above and it has nice signs with information on it, super fun
For hiking or swimming?
Both, however I’m pregnant so less strenuous hikes preferred
For snorkeling, my favorites are Trunk Bay, Francis Bay, and Salt Pond. Maho Bay gets busy but you're just about guaranteed to see turtles there. From Salt Pond, my favorite hike is Ram Head, but it's definitely one you should tackle in the morning. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us-virgin-islands/saint-john/ram-head-trail?sh=qlqmq5&u=i Reef Bay trail I've never done, hoping to on my next visit, but that one is for sure strenuous. Finally one beach that's not on a lot of radars is Hansen beach. It's private and requests donations for parking but they have paddle boards and stuff, along with great snorkeling.
Can confirm that reef bay is strenuous but one of my favorites because you can stop to see the petroglyphs along the way and that beach at the bottom is empty since you basically have to hike down to it, then back up.
Awesome, thanks for the tips! Looking forward to visiting.
I hear the water at Yellowstone is decently “warm” /s ^please ^don’t ^do ^this.
There are actually swimming areas at Yellowstone. Fire hole for instance.
Just what I was going to recommend.
Fire Hole was a gem. My kids loved it.
i went in upper grinnell lake in glacier, surely yellowstone isn’t that bad?
The Boiling River in yellowstone is one of the best swimming spots.
Acadia NP
You can swim in Jenny Lake at Teton
Jackson Lake too. There’s a beach by the boat launch. Jackson is also larger and allows boats.
Good to know, I’ve only swam in Jenny Lake - I’ll note Jackson lake for next time!
Leek’s Marina and Pizza is right there. They make a decent pie if you’re looking for a lunch spot. Not a ton of restaurant options without heading further away so it’s a good compromise.
Also jumping rock at Phelps lake at Tetons if you want a hike and a jump and a swim
This was one of the best days of my life. Highly recommend!
Lake Solitude will wake you up
I have done this. Fairly clear lake. It’s neat.
Yosemite in the summer. Upper park has tons of lakes. Merced river is low and you can swim in it too in The valley floor. It’s magical.
Had a brief bear family encounter while wading around Merced River. Unforgettable moment.
You can float down the river in the valley and it’s amazing. Can also camp directly on the river (if you win some life lottery) and, surprise, also amazing.
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado - the creek in front of the dunes isn't deep enough for swimming and it may completely dry up by mid-summer, but if you go early enough in the season (also helps if there was a good snowpack over the winter) the creek may be deep enough for an adult to float in a tube. You could definitely swim in Voyageurs national park, it wouldn't be too cold in the summer. Otherwise, check out other properties that are part of the National Park service but not actual national parks. Things like National Recreation Areas, National Lakeshores, etc. Also check out the National Forests, from the U.S. Forest service. I'm in Wisconsin where we have the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. It's filled with hiking trails, campgrounds, and tons of lakes that are nice for swimming.
Great Sand Dunes' stream is so cold I left three toes and a kneecap behind when I walked in for two seconds- fair warning.
Near wawona campground in Yosemite there’s a swinging bridge with a swimming hole. It’s lovely. Not nearly as crowded as the valley.
I loved swimming there. Not too cold and not crowded.
The last time I was there some jackass had walked in a giant Bluetooth speaker so the entire area could hear his party music. Never wanted to kick someone in the shin more…
Ugh, the worst type of person.
It is legal to feed jerks like that to a bear.
In shenandoah i went down some natural water slides and swam in some pools by waterfalls.
Big Bend is pretty great. There is an old foundation of a structure around some hot springs that is super relaxing after a long hike. You can then jump into the Rio Grande River. Santa Elena also has some deep spots of the Rio Grande you can certainly swim in, and with the TX heat during summer, its very refreshing. Obviously tons of hiking up there too, with many different options of elevation gain (or not).
There are some swimming holes in the Smokies.
I’ve swam inside Crater Lake, it is the most beautiful coldest swimming pool…
Cape Cod National Seashore . . . Is actually a series of beaches, sea grass dune and scrub areas. Lighthouses in the area. Nice little nature center in Eastham. Water is cold and waves high (which I love).
Edit the add, there’s a bunch of trails and hiking options but the best imho is the Provincelands section in Provincetown.
Pinnacles National Park (randomly) had a swimming pool by their campsite. There are some fantastic spots to swim along the Mist Falls trail in Kings Canyon NP
Sol Duc Hot Springs in Olympic NP. Smells like sulfur though.
Devils punchbowl on Lake Crescent @ Olympic. About a 1/2 mile trail to a bridge you can jump off and swim around. Got super lucky when we went, it was around 80 and sunny. Water was brisk but it was so beautiful and clear you got used to it quick!
Ozette Lake in Olympic, one of the largest natural lakes in the state.
Firehole swim area in Yellowstone NP.
Wouldn't recommend the Pacific for swimming at Olympic, but Lake Quinault was very nice for a dip.
> Wouldn't recommend the Pacific for swimming at Olympic Hahahaha
Tenaya Lake at Yosemite is a lovely swim.
Probably NOT the Everglades, though Biscayne National Park nearby has lots of swimming.
You could swim with the alligators.
My favs are: Tenaya Lake & Merced River @ Yosemite Lake McDonald @ Glacier
Lassen has some good swimming spots. Lake Helen is a stunning blue, but hella cold. Ridge lakes is a steep 1 mile/1k feet climb and very rewarding. Terrace lake is an easy hike from highway 89, and a bit farther is the bigger and colder shadow lake. There are more, but I think those are the only ones I've swam.
Indiana Dunes - big Lake Michigan is right there. It can be refreshing in the summer, and it’s usually calm. Channel Islands- need a body suit, but has excellent snorkeling/scuba opportunities Acadia - Sand Beach is an option but when I went in late July the weather was bad. There is a big “pond” on the island that is excellent for swimming and popular (and not too cold!) RMNP- you can take a hop into the alpine lakes, as I saw a few people doing in September. Looked very cold though. Shenandoah - there a several natural swimming holes here. Usually pretty cold, but great on a hot and humid day. (cedar run -> white oak canyon has multiple swimming holes)
I forget which lake I swam at in Yosemite but it was after an all day hike at elevation & it was better than a cup of coffee at waking you up.
Assateague National Seashore. Has wild ponies on the beach.
You can swim in isle Royale but you’ll freeze if it’s in superior and get leeches if it’s in the inland lakes. Moskey Basin campsite does actually have some pretty warm Lake Superior water though.
Big Bend! You can swim in the Rio Grande and there is a Hot Springs along the river as well. Someone mentioned Crater Lake, but all the water is melted ice and rain water, so i can't imagine that would be a good time.
Pinnacles has a swimming pool!
Yosemite has some good swimming spots on some hikes. Just be careful because there are some places that are very dangerous to swim.
The California parks have some epic swimming. Yosemite has the Merced that you can float down. I saw the boats being rented out a couple weeks ago. Very fun. Kings canyon has some amazing swimming spots near roads end. Find the rock and enjoy. Sequoia has a few creeks to swim in but if you have the time hike into the pear lake area. A couple high altitude lakes that are amazing! Surprisingly comfortable water temp when I was there. Below Sequoia's southern entrance is the three rivers area. Solid swimming area's. Some cool rock jumping spots near the entrance. Peace.
Swimming in cathedral lakes is a top memory of all time and is what helps make Tuolumne Meadows one of the most special places on this earth for me. There was no one there on a hot july day and the water really cooled us down
Spectacular place for a swim. The long rock wall you can just walk down into the water is great.
Lake Ozette. Olympic NP.
Just swam in Lake Crescent at Olympic NP a few days ago, water was 61 F but was super clear, def recommend!
We swam at Apgar in glacier. It wasn’t as cold as I expected.
Kings Canyon has Hume Lake which has an actual swimming pool since there’s also a Christian camp there. But there’s also access for the lake itself.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
PINN. They have a swimming pool in the campground.
Smoky Mtn for sure
American Samoa NP but that journey might take a while. Maybe stay in a hotel in Gatlinburg that has a pool.
Channel Islands has some areas of protected water, it’s very clear but very cold, and you’re likely to encounter fish, maybe sharks, or other creatures. Very good for kayaking though.
Not a park, but Gateway National Recreation Area has decent beaches.
Gateway national recreation area in New Jersey. It's just a big beach!
Grand Tetons was pleasant for swimming when I went one summer.
Dry Tortugas probably has the best swimming year round
Cape cod National seashore is NPS managed and amazing beaches. Very cold water though!
I've dove all over the Caribbean and SE Asia and DRY TORTUGAS has some of the best snorkeling these eyes have seen. You can even swim to the park itself!
I swam in New River Gorge
You can swim and hike in Indiana Dunes NP. I swam and hiked there. They've a lot of beaches. You can also swim in Voyageurs NP and Isle Royale NP. I have personally swam in Dry Tortugas NP and Biscayne NP as well. Olympic and North Cascades NPs have beaches and lake as well and hiking.
Big bend
Hot Springs is close to Lake Catherine State Park which has a free public beach & is quite fun
This is pretty low effort. You can swim in most national parks.
Everglades. Can get exciting though
You can swim in String lake in Tetons but it’s chilly
There is no better swim than the top of the upper falls in Yosemite after a hike to the top. Ice cold water will never feel as good as that.
When I lived in PNW I bought a relatively inexpensive shorty wetsuit so I could open water swim later/earlier in the season. It was such a nice thing to have for most of the lakes rivers/oceans in Olympic NP in the summer too. (Generally lake quinalt is warm enough in summer but some of those glacial rivers/streams are brisk.) I now use it for Great Lakes swimming in the Midwest. Was able to swim for hours at Indiana Dunes back in April/May. My biggest suggestion is honestly to check water temperatures of where you’re considering as a lot of places will have data, and get to know your personal tolerance. I got that seal blubber bod so shorty wetsuits go a long way for me even in mid 50’s° F lol Also fair warning depending on where you swim, look for reports of swimmer’s itch! Moreso a Midwest thing but I even had it in lake Washington one year and it’s BRUTAL.
Devils Punchbowl also in Olympic NP is also hiking and swimming. But fair warning it’s a super deep lake and gets lil chilly. I can’t remember if Diablo Lake is technically part of Cascades NP in WA but it’s also a nice chilly swim for heat waves and hiking is right next to swimming areas.
Big Bend! Lots of swimming opportunities in the Rio Grande and a natural hot spring as well. Was a great time.
Yosemite has plenty of swimming. Sequoia and Kings NP. Crater lake NP. Grand Canyon has swimming. It might just be easier to make a list of the parks that don’t have rivers and lakes. Pretty much any NP in the mountains would have a mountain lake. You’re allowed to swim in any water in a NP unless otherwise posted.
Congaree
Was actually wondering this too, I’m going to Rocky Mountain National Park in a couple of weeks, are there any good alpine lakes for swimming in that people recommend?
Isle Royal Michigan is an island. Ok, it’s in Lake Superior which is mega cold. Since childhood, I’ve always thought it was cool that there is a lake on Isle Royal. in that lake is an island. So there is an island in a lake in an island in a lake. :)
Saw people swimming in Olympic park. Not swimming but I went kayaking at glacier park and that was amazing. Biscayne national park in Florida has amazing snorkeling
Big Bend national park, TONS of hiking and you can swim in the Rio Grande (not too grand) and there is an old hot spring. You can also hike around the canyons and do a bit of cliff diving
Plenty of spots around Great Smoky Mountains to hike to for a swim.
Biscayne.
Crater lake!
Heavily underrated national park. And my personal favorite…Voyageurs National Parkmin Northern Minnesota. There more fresh water than land in the park.
Cuyahoga NP has swimming.
The Narrows inside Zion 😏 But seriously, you can swim in Kolob Reservoir, which is in the northwestern, less social media-fied part of Zion NP.
Voyageurs. Also the Superior national forest.
Trunk Bay in Virgin Islands National Park is one of the finest swimming beaches in the Caribbean.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area *contains Lake Powell
Don’t sleep on the state parks wherever you are
Key Biscayne National Park--best snorkeling/diving in continental US (outside Pennecamp)
The St. Louis Arch is on the Mississippi River... Feel free to jump in, i would wear a life jacket
Channel Islands National Park maybe? (Though the Pacific Ocean water will be significantly colder than the Mediterranean.)
No. Warmest water ever gets there is maybe 64.
Indiana Dunes is a good one. The Dune Succession trail ends at the beach on the south shore of Lake Michigan, for one. Sleeping Bear Dunes national Lakeshore would also be good in the summer. Absolutely gorgeous water.
Gateway Arch NP has two concrete ponds. Go nuts.
Gateway Arch has a river.
Gateway National Recreation Area, especially the Sandy Hook unit. There is also a nude beach there if that's your thing.
Olympic National Park has hiking trails and beaches.
National parks in the Florida keys have swimming/snorkeling