Teanaway River

Tucked into the folds of the Wenatchee National Forest near Cle Elum, Washington, the Teanaway River offers one of the region's most rewarding unofficial swimming escapes. Fed by cool snowmelt cascading down from the peaks of the eastern Cascades, the river runs with a clarity that feels almost impossible — you can watch sunlight bend and scatter across the rocky riverbed as if the water itself is made of glass. This is a place where the mountains exhale, and if you're lucky enough to find a quiet stretch on a warm July afternoon, you'll understand exactly why locals have been coming here for generations.

The Setting and Landscape

Getting to the swimming areas requires a short hike of roughly 200 yards over uneven terrain — nothing that will challenge seasoned hikers, but enough to filter out the casual drive-by crowd and reward those who make the effort. The trail winds through a forested corridor where ponderosa pines and cottonwoods frame your approach, their canopy filtering the Eastern Washington sun into something softer and more golden. In late spring, wildflowers bloom in vivid bursts along the riverbanks — lupine, balsamroot, and paintbrush compete for your attention. By autumn, the foliage turns the surrounding hillsides into a mosaic of amber and rust, making fall visits arguably as beautiful as any summer afternoon. Wildlife sightings — deer, osprey, the occasional great blue heron — are common enough that you'll want to move quietly and keep your eyes open.

Swimming the Teanaway

The Teanaway is a river swimmer's river. The water is cold — genuinely cold, the kind that makes you gasp on first contact and then feel completely alive once you've adjusted. Snowmelt keeps temperatures brisk even in peak summer, so the Teanaway is best enjoyed between late May and early September, when the combination of warm air and cool water hits a near-perfect balance. Swimming areas tend to be clear, rocky-bottomed pools and runs where the current slows enough to float or wade comfortably. The secluded character of the site means you may find stretches of riverside entirely to yourself — rocky flats for sunbathing, shaded nooks for reading, and the kind of quiet that reminds you why you left the city. Note that this is an unofficial swimming location with no lifeguards, no staffed facilities, and no formal safety infrastructure on site. Come prepared, swim with companions, and use your own judgment about water conditions and depth.

Plan Your Visit

The Teanaway River swimming hole sits within Wenatchee National Forest, and National Forest campgrounds are available in the area if you'd like to make a weekend of it. The nearest services and supplies are in Cle Elum , a charming former coal-mining town about 20 minutes away with restaurants, gas stations, and lodging options. Ellensburg , roughly 30 miles to the southeast, offers a fuller range of amenities and a lively small-city atmosphere worth exploring before or after your visit. Entry fees at the site itself are currently unknown, so carry a National Forest Recreation Pass just in case. Whether you're a photographer chasing golden-hour reflections, a family looking for a genuine backcountry cool-down, or simply someone who needs a cold river and a few hours of silence, the Teanaway delivers.

The name 'Teanaway' originates from the Sahaptin language, meaning 'drying place.' The river holds historical significance for indigenous peoples who relied on its resources.

Practice Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all waste, respect wildlife, and avoid disturbing the natural habitat to preserve the area’s pristine condition.