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A dip at your local swimming pool this summer may sound nice, but swimming outside in a natural body of water would be well worth the added effort. We’ve gathered some of the best swimming hole locations in the US and what you need to know about accessing each.
Nothing is better than hiking and stopping at a stunning, natural swimming hole. These swimming holes usually form at the base of waterfalls or where water naturally settles between the rocks and soil.
And luckily, you don’t need to trek to Asia or some undiscovered South American waterfall because our country’s swimming holes have crystal-blue waters, majestic waterfalls, and jaw-dropping landscapes.
From epic cliff jumps in Alabama to hidden caves in Florida and secret beaches in Arizona, water adventures can be found in every corner of the country… if you know where to find them.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your sunscreen and bathing suit. We’re going on a great road trip to the 10 best natural swimming holes in The United States!
…Click “Next” below to see some breathtaking swimming holes in the US!
Nothing about the Grand Canyon can disappoint us, and Havasu Falls makes no exception. Located on the 188,000-acre tribal reserve of the Havasupai people, long considered the guardians of the Grand Canyon, the falls fulfill a unique getaway for hikers that’s unlike any other in the United States.
The spectacular falls aren’t easy to get to. They require a 10-mile hike each way, so the journey isn’t for the weak. But you can reach them on foot or horseback, and your best bet is to go with a local guide like Wildland Trekking to handle all of the logistics.
This business even offers a helicopter option if you want to cut down on the hiking to just two miles. One thing’s for sure. This is one of the most picturesque swimming holes you will find in the United States!
Florida is home to the most considerable amount of freshwater springs in the world, and in Ichetucknee Springs State Park, just 35 miles away from Gainesville, you’ll get to see one of the area’s crowns jewels… the Blue Hole.
After kayaking one mile to this secret spot, swimmers can go diving into the pure, incredibly blue, spring-fed pool where water temperatures remain 72 degrees all year round.
Keep swimming, and you’ll see the 6-foot-deep, sandy, grass-covered bottom open up to a 12-foot-wide, 35-foot-deep chamber, a limestone shaft where the blue shade intensifies as a spring pumps out 26,000 gallons of water each minute.
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As one of two swimming locations in Yellowstone National Park, the Firehole River swimming area has easy to access, which means it’s excellent for the whole family!
To reach this swimming hole, just drive about 2 miles down Firehole Canyon Drive and park by the side of the road. Be sure to check out the Firehole Falls overlook on your way there.
From there, you just have a short walk down some wooden stairs to get to the swimming hole. The entire swimming area has calm water where you can enjoy your day and cool off.
You can even cruise down the river and explore the pools cradled between the rock canyons if you’re feeling adventurous. Just make sure you plan your “swimming holes” trip during the fall or summer months because the area is closed the rest of the year.
Not that you need any other reason to visit this great state, but one of the most stunning pools in the lower part of the country is located 23 miles west of Austin.
Hamilton Pool Preserve results from when a limestone dome collapsed over an underground river a few thousand years ago.
Travelers familiar with Mexican cenotes will recognize the geological rarity instantly. It’s one of the most accessible swimming holes to reach on our list, and even though that pretty much guarantees you’ll have lots of company if you go there, it’s still well worth the drive.
Just a 20-minute car ride away from Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, a forested path will lead you to a secret cascade with some wild detours and amazing swimming holes. Adventure lovers will find their first thrill a mere five minutes into their hike, Kapena Falls, a waterfall with a 40ft cliff jump.
Then, going deeper into the jungle, you’ll be greeted by one of Hawaii’s most historic destinations, the ruins of King Kamehameha III’s summer palace from 1845, now sitting forgotten in the forest.
And finally, after crossing some more challenging terrain with wet conditions, hikers are greeted by Lulumahu Falls, a 50ft rainfall-fed cascade with a fantastic 72-degree water to plunge into.
Hidden in between the trees in Robert H. Treman State Park, you’ll find Enfield Falls. It’s one of the most scenic swimming holes that’s perfect for warm summer swims.
And thankfully, the half-mile paved trail to the falls is short and scenic. You’ll be passing 12 waterfalls on your way to Enfield Falls.
There is a dam that slows the water during the summer months, resulting in a large swimming hole. During the off-season, you should expect a more shallow pool.
This location is family-friendly and includes a roped-off swimming area, diving boards, and there are even lifeguards on duty. The falls and swimming areas are open year-round, but the best time to visit is between March and October.
Getting to this location, given the modest start of the trail along a typical gravel road just outside of the mining town of Jawbone Flats, which by the way is interesting in its own right, it’s easy to imagine that there isn’t anything interesting at the end of the road.
Not to worry, because a hiking trail is soon revealed with a bridge that will lead you across Opal Creek.
Keep following the path a little farther, and you’ll reach Opal Pool, an impossibly gorgeous emerald green lagoon located next to dramatic rock walls and lush, overgrown trees…One of the best swimming holes for those hot summer days!
If you head over to Nantahala National Forest, 30 miles southwest of Asheville, you’ll be greeted with a year-round, peaceful getaway, and here is where you’ll find Skinny Dip Falls.
The trailhead to the half-mile hike is tucked away, but once water lovers make their way through the woods, various old trees help navigate the swimming hole. The waterfalls consist of a three-tiered cascade with a 30ft drop and a skinny 8ft wide pool at the base.
Various heights of rocks provide a few platforms from which you can jump. Considering the summer temperatures go up to 90 degrees, the 60-degree water is a refreshing way to cool off.
And if you’re looking for a little more relaxation, you can head upstream for a more secluded place to soak in the scenery around you.
At the fittingly named Little River Canyon National Preserve, you’ll get 12 miles of mesmerizing swimming holes to Alabama’s Lookout Mountain area. The 600ft deep canyon offers one of the most scenic drops east of the Mississippi River.
Just a short drive downriver from Alabama’s Highway 35 bridge, you’ll find the most easily accessible lagoon at the bottom of Little River Falls.
We suggest you go when the water levels are low because high water can prove to be dangerous. If you’re searching for something a bit more adventurous, hike about a mile from Eberhart Point to the canyon floor, where several cliffs provide excellent launch pads for cliff diving.
Tennesse’s locals have known about the 282-acre Cummins Falls State Park for more than 100 years. But now, thanks to social media, the secret is out because the area has gotten many tourists in recent years.
A plus is that the hikes to the falls are fairly short, between one and one and a half miles, depending on which route you take. It’s also a bit steep, with considerable elevation shifts along the way.
However, the payoff for the more adventurous travelers is a 75ft waterfall which is the eighth-largest waterfall in the state by volume… At its base, you’ll find a spectacular, picture-worthy swimming hole.
What did you think about all of these incredible swimming holes you can dive into this summer? Let us know if you’ve been to any of them and how they are in the comments section below!
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