The Cold, Deep, Historic Fun of Tenino Quarry Pool

At the Tenino Quarry pool, sandstone walls dotted with moss disappear into thick trees. A cascading waterfall trickles down the center, creating a serene backdrop you just can’t find at your typical public pool. With the promise of a forest-like swimming hole (plus the bonus of restrooms and lifeguards), I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore this one-of-a-kind Washington swim spot with my family this summer.

Legendary beginnings in Tenino, Washington

After a series of fires struck the town of Tenino in the early 1900s, the City Council passed an ordinance establishing a fire district, mandating that all new construction must be brick, cement or — you guessed it — stone. The Tenino Stone Company operated at the quarry until 1920; legend has it workers struck a spring causing the area to flood with water.

The Tenino Quarry Pool officially opened in the late 1940s and has been a beloved local swimming spot for years. Lucky for us, they hosted a major reopening this summer, following a four-year closure with extensive renovations and updates. With a new wading area, splash pad, and accessibility and filtration updates, it’s the perfect time to explore this natural reservoir.

Fun for all ages at the Tenino Quarry Pool

The swimming area is split into two sides to accommodate guests of all ages and swimming abilities. The kids side has a splash pad, concrete pool deck and 2-feet-deep wading pool with clear, chlorinated water. On the other side of the fence is the 80-feet-deep pool with untreated, chlorine-free water and a grassy shore for lounging. This area is considered to be the natural lake, as it was formed when the quarrymen left their posts. Lifeguards kept a watchful eye over both areas and even offered stickers to my little ones upon entry.

We arrived just after the noon opening time and had the place almost to ourselves, with families trickling in throughout the afternoon. Things seemed to really pick up around 2:30 p.m. as the day got hotter. The water was cooler than expected and it took some time to coax my kids into the wading pool, even in the midday sun. It seems they take after their cold-averse mom. The splash pad was compact, with three water features that the kids enjoyed for about an hour of playtime. A main attraction for my 4-year-old was watching divers behind the fence. We cheered as her dad jumped off the high dive and swam near the fence to greet us.

Big kids who want to explore the deep side of the quarry will have to pass a swim test — no exceptions. Make sure you have a confident swimmer before planning to spend the day in the deeper water. Other things to note: My cold-plunge-loving husband remarked how chilly it was, which did not put me (a fair-weather swimmer) at ease. And don’t expect clear, blue water! The rich inky color of the reservoir is due to the water’s depth and doesn’t allow you to see far below the surface.

Insider tips for visiting the Tenino Quarry Pool

There’s not a lot of shade, so arrive on the earlier side to snag a spot under the wooden sun shade or umbrella-covered tables. We packed a picnic lunch and then saw signs that stated “No eating on the pool deck.” The kids were hungry so we tucked in discreetly (well, as discreetly as a 1- and 4-year-old can be). No one said anything, but I made sure to clear away extra crumbs before leaving.

Extra fun at the park’s playground

After we had our fill of water play, we walked over to the nearby playground with great features for kids of all ages. There were not one but two pump tracks and we made a note to come back with our bikes next time around. Not having wheels did not stop my son from running along the undulating path when bikers weren’t present.

The kids also had fun climbing large quarry rocks adjacent to the playground (just outside of the pool fence), with small openings that created perfect kid-sized tunnels for exploration.

Treat yourself after a swim

If you’re anything like me, you might enjoy a frozen margarita after supervising a long pool day. We had a great experience at the much-talked-about Don Juan’s Mexican Kitchen for dinner. With a kids menu, high chairs and unlimited chips, it was the perfect cap-off to our big day out.

Editor’s note: Malia Jacobson originally reported on the Tenino Quarry Pool in 2016. This article was updated in 2024 with all new information, after Carly Brukhman visited with her children and wrote about her experience.