Denny Creek Water Slides

Difficulty: Easy

2 Miles round trip

Northwest Forest Pass

This is one of my all-time favorite hikes to take kids on. It's short, it's easy, the drive isn't too long to get there and you get to play in the water. Who could ask for a better little people hike? 

 

The trail meanders through the forest floor easily enough for the littlest of hikers. We saw several 4 and 5 year olds hiking along with their backpacks full of snacks and swimming towels ready for the fun ahead. At about half a mile you will hike under the freeway. It's a very surreal feeling to be in the beauty of the forest and have the giant concrete snake of I-90 far above your head.

 

The nice thing about this landmark is you can tell your little minions that they are already halfway to their destination. With another half a mile under your belt, and the traffic noise behind you, the trail drops down into a beautiful riverbed, where the rock has been worn smooth from years of water running its course. This is the place commonly called the "Denny Creek Water Slides". The rock is so smooth that you sit right on the surface and slide down with the gentle river current. Just make sure to go late enough in the year that the river is more of a trickle than a rage. August is my favorite time to go. The river is tamed and the weather is hot.

 

Directions: From Seattle, head east on I-90 to exit 47 Denny Creek/Tinkham Road. At the top of the exit ramp turn left and cross over the freeway. Go .2 miles and turn right at the stop sign onto Forest Road 58. The road crosses under the freeway and after .2 miles turn left. Continue ahead for 2.4 miles and take a left just after Denny Creek Campground and pass the Franklin Falls trailhead. The road here is fairly potholed so use caution. Cross a bridge and it's just .2 miles further to the trailhead.