Swimming Areas in Southwest Washington

With the summer heat upon us all and the temperatures continuing to sour as we hit the months of July and August, the desire for a refreshing place to cool down is a universal want for most. While retreating to the air conditioned walkways of malls or seats of movie theaters are certainly options, they are not very satisfactory options for those of us who may wish to actually enjoy the summer months outside in the sunshine. For anyone who is in the Vancouver, Washington (greater Portland, Oregon area) this summer, here are some great places to take your family for the afternoon to cool off in refreshing waters while playing outside in the summer sun.

1) Daybreak Park: Located just outside of Vancouver, Washington in the Ridgefield/Battleground, Washington area, this park is the perfect place to spend the afternoon. Complete with free parking, public restrooms, picnic tables, and a playground, Daybreak Park is also situated right alongside the Lewis River. While some children enjoy fishing in the river, most park-goers simply enjoy swimming in the region. The depth of the river depends upon the particular area of the river and the rainfall (and melting snow from the mountains) from the winter of that year. However, there are generally areas of the river that are unofficially designated for "small children" where the river is very shallow; likewise there are deeper swimming holes with swifter moving rapids for older children and adults to enjoy swimming and rafting in.

2) Wintler Park: Located at 6400 Beach Drive (off of exit 3 off of SR-14) along the gorgeous Columbia River, Wintler Park is a local favorite. The beaches of this park offer its users with scenic views of Mount Hood (in Oregon), as well as plenty of parking, restroom facilities, picnic tables, recreational fields, and a paved walkway. Naturally, most visitors' favorite part of Wintler Park is the beaches along the river, where swimming in the regions closer to the shore is allowed. (However, there is no lifeguard on duty at either Wintler Park or Daybreak Park, so swimmers are swimming at their own risk.) The park is open from 7:00am to dusk, and many families enjoy the whole day there.

3) Esther Short Park Fountains: Located right in the middle of downtown Vancouver, this gorgeous park has a playground, restrooms, a gazebo, rose garden, and plenty of green space for strolling. There are also many benches throughout the park for the weary walker. However, perhaps the favorite portion of the park during the summer months is the fountain structure located on one corner of the park. Perfect for younger children to splash and play in, this water feature at Esther Short Park is a great alternative to the rushing waters of the rivers for younger children.