When summer heats up, nature offers plenty of places to cool off and be surrounded by stunning scenery. America’s natural swimming holes range from spectacular waterfalls with rock slides to crystal-clear streams and warm, inviting geothermal pools.
Whether you want to relive the days of jumping off rope swings or simply enjoy a refreshing dip after a hike, we’ve compiled a list of the best swimming holes in the United States. Many of these spots are located within national parks or state forests, so to maintain their pristine natural beauty, we need to know when it’s safe to enter the water and what items are at or near each location. You must follow each park’s regulations regarding what is allowed.
Firehole River Swimming Area, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
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Yellowstone, the country’s first national park, is famous for its geothermal springs. Most of these scorching waters are too hot to swim in, so the next best option is the Firehole Swim Area, located along the Firehole River and powered by subsurface thermal activity.
The popular swimming area typically opens in mid-summer and allows visitors to enter the bathtub-like waters during designated hours. There are no lifeguards, so please be careful and follow the rules for your safety.
To reach this site, head to Firehole Canyon Drive south of Madison Junction and follow the route to the swimming area. Although it may be tempting, avoid cliff jumping in the area as it is not only dangerous but also prohibited.
Diana’s Baths, Bartlett, New Hampshire
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A series of pools connected by a small waterfall at Lucy Brook in Bartlett, New Hampshire, is a popular summer spot for families, as they are easily accessed by a short hike. You may get wet on the mountain trail, so we recommend waterproof hiking shoes.
This environment puts on a spectacular natural show when the water level reaches its peak flow which varies throughout the year. It gets crowded, so come early if you want to take photos of an empty pool.
Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, New Mexico
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New Mexico’s Blue Hole gets its name from its sapphire-blue waters, which maintain a constant temperature of about 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Popular with scuba divers and cliff jumpers, this swimming hole is open all year round, giving you the chance to explore its underwater corridors even after summer is over. There is also a visitor center with exhibits, snack bar, changing rooms, restrooms, gift shop, and observation area.
Blanchard Springs, Mountain View, AR
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Blanchard Springs Recreation Area in the scenic Ozark National Forest has two swimming areas, both fed by North Silamore Creek.
The main swimming area includes a bathhouse, a small pavilion, and a wide, shallow swimming experience. The second swimming area is adjacent to the campground and is traversed by a sheer cliff wall that can reach depths of up to 12 feet. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swim at your own risk.
Chena Hot Springs, Fairbanks, Alaska
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Relax at Chena Hot Springs Resort in Fairbanks, Alaska. There is a lake fed by natural hot springs that stays around 106 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. There’s a reason this spot ranks among the best hot springs in the United States. The outdoor setting, with occasional views of the Northern Lights, makes for a very romantic getaway, but you don’t have to stay overnight in a hotel to visit. .
After your swim, visit the resort’s Aurora Ice Museum. Billed as “the world’s largest year-round ice environment,” it features everything from rooms and sculptures to an ice bar made from more than 1,000 tons of ice and snow.
Havasu Falls, Havasupai Indian Reservation, Arizona
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These waterfalls are located within the Havasupai Indian Reservation in the southwest corner of Grand Canyon National Park and attract visitors thanks to their bright blue and green water and surrounding calcareous rock formations.
Visiting the falls requires a permit and requires a hike of more than eight miles in each direction, but that doesn’t stop tens of thousands of tourists from visiting each year to appreciate the beauty of this place. not. Please note that you must book well in advance.
Homestead Caldera, Midway, Utah
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Head to Homestead Resort to swim at the only heated scuba diving site in the continental United States. Homestead Caldera was formed about 10,000 years ago when snow from the nearby Wasatch Mountains melted and seeped into the ground. Swimmers, divers, and snorkelers can explore the warm, mineral-rich waters that remain at a constant 90 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit.
The swimming hole is nestled within a 55-foot-tall limestone rock formation, but the resort has carved a tunnel through the rock above ground to provide easy access to the ocean.
Little River Canyon, Fort Payne, Alabama
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Northeast Alabama’s Little River, which flows atop Lookout Mountain, is a popular destination for expert-level kayakers, but it also has plenty of swimming holes. At Little River Falls, you’ll find a 45-foot waterfall that leads to a swimming area. Be careful here, as when the water level is high and fast, you can go over the falls in seconds.
You can also take the second trail of the boardwalk to the Little Falls section (also known as Martha’s Falls or Hippie Hole), which is popular for swimming.
Johnson’s Shut-In State Park, Middlebrook, Missouri
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At Johnson’s Shut-In State Park in Missouri, you’ll discover a series of natural swimming holes. Dubbed “The Shut-In,” the pool takes its name from the rocky sides that have been carved by the East Branch of the Black River to form an enclosed swimming area.
As you soak, you’ll notice that you’re surrounded by volcanic rocks that are more than a billion years old. The park also has hiking and horseback trails, making for a memorable day of exploring before or after your swim.
Madison Blue Springs, Lee, Florida
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This 82-foot-wide, 80-foot-deep spring in Florida’s Madison Blue Springs State Park is filled with crystal-clear water that flows over limestone rock and eventually joins the river. Enjoy everything from scuba diving to tubing to paddling. There are also nature trails through hardwood and pine forests, where you may be able to see some of the park’s many birds.
Sliding Rock, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
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This natural waterslide in the Pisgah National Forest is just north of Brevard, North Carolina. A 60-foot-tall mountain chute descends to the bottom of the pool, where nearly 11,000 gallons of water flow per minute.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Sliding Rock Recreation Area is open seven days a week and patrolled by lifeguards. Aim to visit in the morning, as it is often crowded between noon and 4 p.m. The natural slide is slippery, but we recommend wearing old shorts and sneakers to protect yourself.
Bridal Veil Falls, Tallulah Falls, Georgia
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In the summer, tourists flock to Bridal Veil Falls in Georgia’s Talulah Valley State Park to experience what is locally known as “Sliding Rock.” The waterfall has an 8-foot deep swimming hole where water cascades down over some of the rocks creating a water slide.
To enter this area, you need a free permit, which is available at the park’s Interpretive Center and handed out at set times beginning at 8 a.m. We recommend arriving early as only 100 permits are available each day and may sell out. This canyon is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep.
Carlon Falls, Groveland, California
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To reach California’s Carlon Falls, you must follow a 2.3-mile trail that follows the South Fork of the Tuolumne River into the Yosemite Conservation Area. Follow the trail and you’ll reach a waterfall. There is also a swimming area available all year round, except during periods of drought. The waterfall empties into a pool surrounded by towering ponderosa pines and meadows of purple lupine and sunflowers, making for a beautiful swimming experience.
Meadow Run Natural Waterslide, Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania
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Ohiopyle State Park in Pennsylvania covers 20,500 acres and is the gateway for visitors to the Laurel Highlands. Those looking for a thrilling ride will love sliding down his two natural waterslides at Meadow Run. Here, streams flow through rocks, forming winding channels. To reach them, follow the Meadow Run Trail signs.
Blue Hole Regional Park, Wimberley, Texas
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Texas is home to many great swimming holes, and Wimberley’s Blue Hole Swimming Area is a prime example. Old cypress trees provide a shady spot when you want to cool off, and a rope swing is perfect for getting into the water if you’re feeling adventurous.
As this is a popular beach, reservations must be made through the website during the season (May to September). Blue Hole Regional Park also has 8.8 miles of trails, picnic areas, an amphitheater, and basketball and volleyball courts.
Brandywine River, Wilmington, Delaware
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About an hour’s drive from Philadelphia, Delaware’s Brandywine River offers a variety of activities for those looking to explore it. For his day of ultimate relaxation, book a tubing ride along the tree-lined waterway. Outfitters like Northbrook Canoe also offer canoe and kayak tours and take care of everything from equipment to transportation.
