01
Closest to town
Old Lewiston Bridge Recreation Area
Old Lewiston Bridge On Trinity River • Classic Riverside Swim Hole • Easiest Quick Cool-Down
A favorite in-town access point where you can slip into the Trinity River just below the historic bridge.
This is the go-to spot when you want water without leaving Lewiston, with easy access from the parking area down to broad gravel bars along the river. Shallow edges make it simple to wade in, while deeper pockets upstream and downstream suit stronger swimmers. Expect a casual, local crowd on hot afternoons and bring sandals or water shoes for the smooth rocks underfoot.
02
Best for families
Douglas City Campground River Beach
Douglas City Along Highway 299 • Family-Friendly Riverside Beach • Best For Kids And Picnics
Gentle current, shallows near shore, and picnic tables make this an easy all-day setup for families.
Just downriver from Lewiston, the Douglas City campground has a small but inviting beach area with slow-moving water most of the summer. Kids can splash in the shallows while adults watch from the bank or set up a picnic in the shade. It feels more organized than a roadside pullout, but still relaxed and low-key compared with bigger parks.
03
Laid-back river hangout
Steiner Flat Beach
Downriver From Douglas City • Wide Gravel Bar On The Trinity • Best For Relaxed River Days
A broad stretch of open riverbank where you can spread out, swim, and watch rafts drift by.
Steiner Flat is where you go when you want more space and a slightly wilder feel without committing to a full backcountry mission. A long gravel bar along a sweeping bend of the river gives you options for deeper swimming holes, small eddies, and sunny rock loungers. It is popular with locals on peak summer weekends, but there is usually room to find your own patch of shoreline.
04
Sunny lake escape
Clark Springs Beach, Trinity Lake
West Shore Of Trinity Lake • Quiet Forested Lake Cove • Great For Swimming And Lounging
A sheltered cove on Trinity Lake with clear water, lakeside picnicking, and an easy wade-in shoreline.
When the river feels chilly, Clark Springs offers classic lake-day vibes about a half-hour drive from Lewiston. The cove here is protected enough that the water warms up nicely, and the shoreline slopes gently, making it comfortable for casual swimmers and floaties. Trees come right down toward the water, so you can move between patches of sun and shade as the day heats up.
05
Best for groups and boats
Tannery Gulch Beach, Trinity Lake
Northwest Arm Of Trinity Lake • Lakeside Day-Use Beach • Best For Groups And Boaters
A roomy lakeside area that pairs well with boating, paddling, and long, social afternoons by the water.
Tannery Gulch feels more like a full-day basecamp than a quick dip stop, with a broad shoreline and plenty of space for coolers, chairs, and water toys. It is an easy meet-up point if some of your group are arriving by car and others by boat or kayak. Expect a little more activity here than at the quieter coves, especially on summer weekends, but the trade-off is a fun, social energy and wide open views across Trinity Lake.