Waterfalls Near Me To Swim

Slide Rock, located within Arizona's Slide Rock State Park seven miles north of Sedona, is a popular place on a hot summer day. Here, visitors take turns sliding down the sloping 80-foot-long sandstone-carved waterway, while others cool off in the creek's shallow stretches or enjoy boulder jumping into its deeper pools. Just spending the afternoon soaking up the sunshine and watching swimmers from the surrounding red rock ledges can make for a good time. You can also fish, hike and watch for wildlife in the park that's also home to picturesque Oak Creek Canyon, once a favorite filming location for Hollywood westerns. On a hot summer day, you can dip your toes in a refreshing pool under Carter Falls or stand in the billowing mist below High Shoals Falls. In the Triad, you'll find everything from family-friendly nature walks to strenuous, full-day hikes that lead to shady picnic spots, sunny beaches, and roaring cascades.

Take a break from the sweltering city with day trips to these top Triad waterfalls and swimming holes. You can sightsee, soak, or swim at these multilevel falls about 9 miles north of Cookeville. If all you want is a scenic view, head to the overlook a few yards from the gravel parking lot of Cummins Falls State Park where you can see the rushing waters cascade 75 feet into a deep gorge. Actually getting in the water here requires a rugged hike that includes steep elevation drops (not suitable for kids or flip-flops, so wear sturdy shoes). The trail, which includes a wade through the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River, is a 2-mile loop that descends into the 200-foot-deep gorge and then turns upstream to the falls.

But once you reach the cool, wide plunge pool at the bottom, you'll be really glad you made the effort. The Sooke Potholes formed during the last ice age, roughly 15,000 years ago, as a result of melting ice and boulders that scraped deep holes in Sooke River's bedrock. Located just 25 miles west of Victoria on Vancouver Island's southernmost tip, they're easy to get to yet they feel as if they're worlds away from the chaos of the city. While this is a popular place to swim, there is plenty of room, and potholes, for all.

Further upstream along the creek there is a beautiful photo-op spot, complete with a waterfall, mossy rocks and shallow pools of clear water. As most don't make it here, there's a good chance that you can enjoy the waterfall all to yourself. And, if you're up for hiking another couple of miles along the Galloping Goose Trail, you'll find even more private pools with the possibility for skinny dipping. Along the way, watch for bald eagles, Roosevelt elk and black bear. Yellowstone National Park is best known for its colorful hot springs, gushing geysers and abundance of wildlife, but it also has some incredible spots for taking a dip.

There is also a roomy beach where you can watch swimmers if you don't want to go in yourself. The churning rapids of the river empty into a deep pool surrounded by indigenous rock. You'll also find a number of shallow, kid-friendly areas, great for wading and splashing around too.

Perhaps the most photographed waterfall in Australia is Millaa Millaa Falls – a heritage-listed plunge waterfall that's also a great swimming spot. After enjoying the falls, keep your eyes peeled for the electric-blue Ulysses butterfly and the elusive platypus. One of the most accessible falls from Cairns is in Josephine Falls, less than an hours drive away.

Sitting in the shadow of Mount Bartle Frere, Jo Falls (as it's known to the locals) boasts its very own natural waterslide on the bottom pool. The series of waterfalls in this national park provides respite to travellers tackilng a long and dusty drive along the Old Telegraph Track. About 30 miles west of Austin and 50 miles east of Luckenbach, this swimming hole in a spring-fed box canyon is as famous in Texas as Waylon and Willie. Local legend says the 8-year-old son of a rancher discovered the spot in the 1880s, and overheated locals and tourists have been jumping in ever since.

After paying a $10 reservation fee , you'll pony up another $15 per vehicle at the preserve to cool off under a 50-foot waterfall or wade in the clear pool and explore a collapsed stone grotto. It gets crowded on a hot summer day, so arrive early or expect a wait. This cliff jumper's dream features towering boulder formations and a combination of deep and shallow crystal clear water, reflecting deep blues and blacks. The granite bridge is a highlight – you can swim underneath and pop out in a hole milled out by the stream. While it's surely one of California's best swimming holes, it does require good boots and about a 2.5-mile moderate, unmarked hike to get there.

Thunder Brook or Leech Brook is a small river west of Grand Falls-Windsor. Anyone who has ever driven between Grand Falls and Badger would have crossed over it at some point. Having made the trip between St. Johns and Corner Brook countless times I was one of these people. However, if you pull off the Highway on the east side of Thunder Brook Bridge you will find a small parking lot where a well maintained hiking trail begins. Completing the short hike brings you into a large natural pool, popular to local swimmers. A little bit further and you come across a steep, narrow gorge with a large waterfall at the far end.

More than 30 waterfalls tumble, rumble, and roar throughout South Carolina's Upcountry region in the northwest corner of the state. One of the most beautiful and accessible is Chau Ram Falls, about 25 miles west of Clemson. The centerpiece of Chau Ram County Park, the waterfall forms as Ramsey Creek empties into the Chauga River then pours 40 feet downward onto smooth boulders. Catch pools at the bottom give adventurous swimmers a place to splash, or you can enjoy calmer waters near a beach on the river's edge.

A suspension bridge over the river offers access to easily hiked trails that lead to even more Upcountry waterfalls. On these hot, lazy summer days there is nothing better than packing a few beach towels and your bathing suits and heading to a nearby swimming hole to cool off! You'll have to take a 2-mile trek up the South Fork Tuolumne River, but it's mostly flat and certainly well worth the journey during the summer months. The 35-foot waterfall that cascades over the wide granite ledges into the swimming hole offers the ideal ambiance. You'll be surrounded by soaring ponderosa pines, and most of the time, all you'll hear are the birds watching from above and the soothing sounds of the water. Much of that cooling water is contained in two huge lakes bordering the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area about 45 miles southeast of Paducah.

Located in Mount Buffalo National Park, the water of the Ladies Bath Falls cascades into a crystal clear pool below. Despite being rather chilly all year round , we guarantee you won't be able to resist taking a dip. In the warmer months, this swimming hole is a perfect respite from the heat of the nearby Ovens and Buckland valleys. If you want to get in on more waterfall action while you're here, head up to the Upper and Lower Eurobin Falls.

It's only a short walk between all three, but the national park is a four hour drive northeast of Melbourne — so we recommending staying overnight in nearby Bright. Enfield Falls is part of Robert H. Treman State Park, which also features nine miles of hiking trails. You can camp here too, so this swimming hole makes an ideal summer vacation destination. The swimming hole sits at the bottom of the 115-foot falls, and the view as you hike down from the cliff staircase is absolutely magnificent. There are a total of 12 waterfalls in the park, so after a day of hiking, cooling off under Enfield Falls feels heavenly. The swimming area has a lifeguard on duty during the summer too, making it perfect for families with children.

Ten metres of rushing water cascade down into this idyllic deep forest pool. You may see locals jumping from the top of the falls but I definitely don't recommend you try it yourself – just go for a splash about or swim under the waterfall. It's a beautiful walk along the river and passing various plunge pools to reach Lady Falls, making it a dreamy wild swimming walk on a hot day.

West Point on the Eno, a 404-acre city park six miles north of Durham, is the starting point for a one-mile hike to Sennet Hole. Legend has it that a miserly mill operator who owned the land in the 1700s buried a pot of Spanish gold in the river. The tall tale adds history and adventure to your dip in the Olympic pool-size swimming hole. To reach Sennet Hole, take the white-blazed Buffalo Trail, cross Warren Creek, and then follow the Sennet Hole Trail to the pool.

The water in the swimming hole is up to eight feet deep, but there are plenty of rock slabs for lounging and sunbathing when you're ready to get out of the chilly water. Out west in the Sydney's adventure playground, the Blue Mountains, is this epic swimming hole. This pool is deep, deep enough to jump in from the rock ledges surrounding(don't forget to check the depth of where you're jumping first).

This waterfall also isn't national park so it's even dog friendly! This walk is roughly 800 meters to the base of the waterfall. Is there anything more refreshing than swimming under a waterfall on a hot summer day? Escaping the summer heat in a freezing cold pool of water and then sunbathing out on warm rocks is one of my all time favorite summer activities. So, with summer unofficially here I have rounded up my 5 favorite waterfalls, with swimming holes at them, for your enjoyment. Today the park is renowned for its majestic waterfalls and 40 miles of scenic trails.

"We're a large piece of land that offers quite a bit for an outdoor enthusiast," says assistant park superintendent Jason Hairston. There's lots more to see, from canyons and creeks to stair-stepped pools and plenty of scenic overlooks for beholding those falls. E don't know about you, but when the summer heat sets in, we get a hankering to explore the back roads of the Lone Star State, searching for sweet, sweet relief from the relentless Texas sun. Right about now nothing but a dunk in a chilly body of water will do, and, lucky for us, Texas is overflowing with incredible swimming holes. These 20 spots are our very favorites—cool, clear, refreshing lakes, rivers, and spring-fed pools that are just the thing to get us through the sweltering days ahead.

These rushing waters about 5 miles south of Cashiers are a spectacular place to experience a waterfall with minimal effort. Fed by the Whitewater River, the 25-foot falls tumble just a quarter mile from a roadside parking area that's located off State 107. You can watch the waterfall from observation points along the trail and shore or, with a little more walking, get a heads-up view of the falls from the calm pool at the bottom. A popular spot with locals, Silver Run Falls can get overrun on a hot summer afternoon, so try to get there a little early. The Upstate of South Carolina has more waterfalls than most people realize. These waterfall swimming holes offer a chance to cool down on a hot summer day.

This colorful term coined by the people of the Ozarks perfectly captures this beautiful area found about 100 miles south of St. Louis. A "shut-in" occurs when the flow of a river is blocked or slowed by boulders or rock formations. Here, this labyrinthine series of whitewater chutes and small pools developed more than a billion years ago when ancient volcanic rock blocked the east fork of the Black River. It's that time of year when most of us would give anything to jump into a refreshing swimming hole or stand underneath a beautiful waterfall.

These swimming holes and waterfalls across the globe provide some of the most ideal spots for doing just that. Grab your swimsuit and seek out my seven favourite wild swimming spots in Wales. I've included information on how to get to all of these magical places.

With its diverse wilderness and abundant national parks, Tropical North Queensland is home to many beautiful hikes, waterfalls and swimming holes. It's important to always follow the advice from Queensland Parks and never venture into out of bounds areas, flooded waters or dangerous areas to prevent serious injury or death. Lake Catherine State Parkboasts a nice swim beach but it is also home to a hidden waterfall that spills into Falls Creek, a tributary of Lake Catherine. To get to this picturesque swimming spot, follow Falls Branch Trail, a moderate two-mile loop trail that winds through the forest. The hike culminates at the seasonal waterfall which measures feet tall. There is a nice shallow pool right at the base of the waterfall where you can cool off before finishing the loop.

The trailhead is located at the south end of the park, near the amphitheater. South Cumberland State Park stretches across more than 25,000 acres and nine separate counties. The Grundy Lake area has a man-made beach just four miles from the visitors center. There are several waterfalls that provide refuge from the heat with year-round cold water.

No jumping here, though, because the pools are pretty shallow. Greeter Falls is an excellent spot in the Savage Gulf area and is only a one mile hike to the falls. The park runs along 40 scenic miles of the Class II Harpeth River, a popular route for canoe and kayak trips, and there are several swimming holes and rocky beach spots along the way. There are also numerous upstream and downstream access points for beginners and advanced kayakers. The 100-yard tunnel is hand-carved from stone and empties into a small swimming hole on the other side.

Highways 276 and 215 is loaded with waterfalls and pools, the best known of which is Skinny Dip Falls. Though its name might be part of the allure, you won't be disappointed after your 20-minute hike down to find swimmers appropriately clothed. You'll also find a high mountain creek, Yellowstone Prong, playfully cutting through a Southern Appalachian hardwood forest, pausing here and there to form inviting splash pools. It's another must-try for your North Carolina natural swimming hole checklist. See on mapThe Wilson Creek area serves as the drainage to massive Grandfather Mountain; that alone should suggest water aplenty.

Add to that the rugged terrain at the base of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and there are bountiful waterfalls, many of which conclude in deep pools. One of the bigger, more accessible pools is at Hunt-Fish Falls, a 0.75-mile hike down from pullout parking off Milepost FS 464. Even on the hottest days, this pool is cold at the surface – dive 3 or 4 feet down for a truly lung-squeezing thrill.

A spacious rock slab with good exposure offers quick drying and warming. Australia's oldest national park, the royal national park, is home to this hidden pristine pool. Nested amongst palm trees, you don't feel like you're less than an hour south of Sydney. The sandy and rocky floor of this pool makes the water crystal clear, this swimming hole is the perfect summer chillout zone. This one is a bit longer at 2km to the water, but provides for an also walk. You also park at Wattamolla beach, with another waterfall you can swim under, but is often very crowed.

Situated on the Campaspe River about a 1.5-hour drive from the Melbourne CBD, the bracingly cold waters of Turpins Falls will require some bravery, but it's a refreshing plunge nonetheless. The 20-metre falls empty into a lagoon that's larger than an Olympic swimming pool and surrounded by high rock walls on three sides . It's a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic or a sneaky drink along the rocks. You can also treat yourself to a high-pressure natural shower under the waterfall.

But it can be a bit hard to find, so be sure to bring Google Maps along. Looking for a swimming hole to cool off in all this Greenville, South Carolina heat? Local mom Liene shares her list of natural swimming and wading spots in and near Greenville. These lakes, rivers, and creeks are the perfect spots to get wet on a hot summer day.

Located south of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Falls is a multi-tier waterfall with water that collects in a number of vivid cerulean pools as it flows downstream. There are also trails to climb to the top of the falls where there are more natural pools for swimming. The falls that begin in shallow pools atop a steep hillside lead to the main fall which has a 200-foot cascade. They're a favorite attraction with tourists to Luang Prabang, and a must-see even if you don't want to swim. Locals charge a nominal fee to visit the site, but it is well maintained, featuring walkways and bridges to help you get there. The waters plunge down into travertine swimming holes below, offering one of the most amazing spots to take a dip on the planet.