Start from the waterfalls
A swimming hole is a deep, calm pool in a creek or river, and the most common place for one to form is at the foot of a waterfall, where falling water has scoured out the stream bed. So a list of the waterfalls near you is also a list of the likeliest swimming holes near you.
Use the map above to list the named falls around you, nearest first. Then check each one against the three questions below before you pack a towel. Many waterfall pools are closed to swimming, and some of the most photographed ones are among the most dangerous to enter.
Three things to check before you swim
- Is swimming allowed? State parks often ban swimming at specific falls and allow it at designated areas nearby. National forests are usually more permissive. Private land is off limits without permission. The managing agency's page for the site will say.
- What is the water doing? High, fast or muddy water means stay out. The best swimming comes in mid to late summer, when flow has dropped and the water has warmed, which is the opposite of the best time to see the falls themselves.
- Where exactly will you swim? Stay well away from the falling water, where currents can hold swimmers under, and out of the stream above the fall. Check depth before any jump. Submerged rocks and logs are common, and pools change shape after every flood.
Signs of a good swimming hole
- A wide pool with slow water at its downstream end, where it shallows out.
- An easy, gradual way in and out, rather than a drop off slick rock.
- Clear water where you can see the bottom near the edges.
- Other people swimming there on a normal day, which usually means it is allowed and familiar to locals.
Water quality
Streams can carry bacteria after heavy rain, especially below farmland or towns. Some states publish swimming advisories for rivers and lakes; check before swimming within a day or two of a storm. Keep water out of your mouth, and shower afterwards if you can. Never drink untreated stream water.
Leave it as you found it
Popular swimming holes get crowded in summer, and some have closed because of litter and parking on roadsides. Park only in marked spaces, carry out everything you bring, and keep music down. Our waterfall safety guide covers the hazards in more detail.