The Cold, Deep, Historic Fun of Tenino's Quarry Pool

Editor's note: So sorry, everyone! We just learned that the Tenino Quarry Pool cannot open this summer, despite earlier info indicating that it would be opening in late June. Save this one for a future, post-pandemic summer.

Framed by moss-flecked sandstone blocks and fronting a picturesque forest waterfall, the Tenino Quarry Pool looks like a lush resort escape. That is, until the gates open and families from all over the Northwest spill onto the scene, arranging towels on the grassy shore, taking a cooling dip or plunging from the diving board into the famously deep, silky water.

The quarry swimming pool will be open for the 2020 summer season. It opens Saturday, June 27, 2020, and will operate Wednesday–Sunday, noon–6 p.m. The last day of the season is set for Aug. 30, 2020. For 2020, visitors should plan to maintain physical distancing from others.

Tenino is a town located about 25 minutes south of Olympia, or about a 90-minute drive from Seattle. (It's in the news lately for its wooden money.)

Natural lake

The pool is actually a natural lake, according to Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier. There are even fish, he says, but they’re usually well below swimming level and rarely noticeable. Formed at the site of a working sandstone quarry established in the late 1800s, the pool is a “priceless piece of local history,” says Fournier. After the quarry ceased operations in the 1920s, the 100-foot well filled with spring water, creating a deep natural reservoir that is perfect for a summer dip. In the mid-1940s, the city converted the site into a public pool.

To accommodate guests of all ages, the pool has two sides, separated by a fence: A shallow, chlorinated, crystal-clear wading pool for tots on one side (three feet deep), and a big-kid-only “deep” side that isn’t chlorinated or chemically treated. Swimmers must pass a swimming test in order to swim on the deep side — no exceptions — and a handful of lifeguards are on duty at all times to put safety-minded parents (raising my hand) at ease.

Visitors are welcome to bring in outside food, and can come and go during operating hours — so families can swim for a bit, leave for lunch and shopping in Tenino, then return later. Toys, floaties and other playthings are welcome. The number of pool-goers can swell to 700 per day on hot days, says Fournier, but there’s plenty of space for visitors to spread out and enjoy this man-made wonder.

Best on a hot day

Any cons? The biggest is the chill factor: The water is cold, with a typical temperature of 50–54 degrees on the deep side. Swimmers expecting a clear pool may be put off by the deep side's inky blackness — attributed to the quarry’s depth, not the water’s actual clarity. Also, the pool is only open seasonally, (June 27–Aug. 30, 2020) and not every day of the week(Wednesday–Sunday, noon–6 p.m.). Plan your visit accordingly.

As for age recommendation: The deep side is for strong swimmers only and best for ages 10 and up, depending on swimming skill. The wading pool is appropriate for all ages.

Insider tip

Come early to snag a shady spot in the wooden shelter that faces the water on the wading-pool side; there are no chairs onsite, so bring your camping chairs or stadium seats for comfy lounging.

Bonus: historic schoolhouse and train depot

The Ticknor Schoolhouse is an authentic, one-room schoolhouse filled with period furnishings. The Tenino Depot Museum shares the railroad history of the town and more. Check its Facebook page for open hours.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated for 2020.