Skykomish River, Al Borlin Park

Totaling 90 acres, Al Borlin Park occupies most of a small peninsula created by the Skykomish River and Woods Creek in Monroe, Washington. A small picnic shelter and parking area occupy the park's entry and upper section, but its only once you've crossed over Woods Creek via a robust footbridge onto the riverfront peninsula that you'll appreciate what this black cottonwood forested park has to offer ... a 1,000-foot-long sun-baked pebble shoreline on the Skykomish River. While other swimming holes will be overrun with desperate heat-stricken visitors, here you'll find plenty of space to call your own.

The waters are extremely shallow in front of the peninsula, but you'll find that the waters deepen as you make your way below the historic steel truss of the Highway 203 bridge. Do be careful though, as the Skykomish River can carry a deceptively powerful current. Besides dipping your toes in the water, Al Borlin Park and adjacent Skykomish River Centennial Park are often used as the take-out spots for floaters making the day-long, 9.5-mile float from Sultan's Sportsman Park.

The peninsula also has grills available for barbecues and a 1.2-mile nature loop.