You’ll Fall In Love With Swimming At This Waterfall Hiding Along A Breathtaking Washington Trail
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published June 17, 2024
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
Now that it’s finally summer, Washingtonians are looking forward to emerging from their winter burrows and making the most of the good weather. While the Evergreen State has plenty of beautiful beaches, there’s nothing quite like going for a swim at a waterfall in Washington. Of all the options, I think the best place to head might be Keekwulee Falls in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Getting to most of Washington's waterfalls requires real effort, but Keekwulee is family-friendly, clocking in at approximately six miles long and boasting relatively little elevation gain. Best of all, it's just an hour outside of Seattle, making it easy to reach for many.
Its accessibility means this trail is popular, so don't be surprised if you're sharing the path with several other groups. Despite the traffic, there's plenty of nature to appreciate, even before you reach the gorgeous Keekwulee Falls.
Beneath the towering conifers, probe the understory for native birds. Depending on the time of year you visit, thick vegetation— including salmonberries, ferns, and wildflowers— borders the trail. This area is also home to numerous mushroom species. Though foraging is prohibited, short of taking a course, IDing these in their natural environment is a great way to hone your skills for later expeditions.
Make sure you bring the right gear for your trek. Part of what makes the Keekwulee Trail fun is that it involves a couple of spots of careful clambering. You'll get to the other side and feel like a pro!
When you finally reach Keekwulee Falls, pause for lunch before getting ready to swim. Years of water erosion have carved divots into the rock, creating smooth pools perfect for swimming.
Just make sure to bring dry clothes for when you're finished swimming! Even in the dead of summer, the water at Keekwulee is very cold— refreshing after a long hike but uncomfortable on your descent to the trailhead.
For us Washingtonians, it's also good news to hear that leashed pups are allowed on the trail to Keekwulee. Just make sure they adhere to the outdoorsmen's creed to "leave no trace."
There’s no denying that the Evergreen State boasts countless beautiful lakes and beaches. That said, many people’s summer bucket list includes finding where to swim at a waterfall in Washington. An hour outside Seattle, Keekwulee Falls is the best place to live out your summertime dream, promising a relatively easy hike that’s perfect for the whole family!
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