11 Best Backcountry Swimming Holes to Explore This Summer

Almost as refreshing as these backcountry swimming holes: an honest disclosure! This post contains affiliate links that may help me earn a small commission when you click and make a purchase. As always, I only share products I use and believe in. 

The most refreshing dip you’ll ever take is at a remote swimming hole that takes a little effort to reach. The best backcountry swimming holes in the U.S. are as diverse as they are scenic — some high up in the Rockies, some tucked away in remote canyons, and others at the base of thunderous falls that add an element of excitement to your swim. 

Up for a rewarding hike that ends with a refreshing dip surrounded by breathtaking natural views? Let’s take a deep dive into 11 of my favorite backcountry swimming holes around the country.

1. Mill Creek – Moab, Utah

How about a refreshing swim in the Utah desert? The 1.6-mile Mill Creek Trail in Moab, Utah is a scenic, sandy path that winds along Mill Creek. You’ll pass several small waterfalls and stunning red rock formations that rise on either side of the creek. 

The trail starts with a short (but challenging) rock scramble over the creek and ends at a natural swimming pool at the base of a waterfall that’s just right for cooling off after your hike. It’s a popular spot and you’ll run into lots of people enjoying the trail and swimming hole, so come early to beat the crowds and have the views all to yourself. 

Explorer Tips

• You will get wet with creek crossings along the trail, even if you’re not planning on taking a swim at the falls. Wear water shoes.
• Parts of the trail are nice and shady, but it gets hot during the summer. I recommend setting out early, around 7AM, to avoid crowds and enjoy milder temperatures. 

Check out our founder’s experience Exploring the Utah Mighty 5 for more hiking and swimming adventures nearby!

2. Doubtful Lake – Sahale Glacier, Washington

In the rugged extremes of North Cascades National Park, the beautiful, glacial waters of Doubtful Lake sparkle with blue brilliance from the 5,391’ Cascade Pass Trail. The icy lake welcomes adventurous swimmers with dramatic mountain and glacier views that ring the lake like a crown of monumental proportions. 

This isn’t a spot for a long soak — more like a quick dip. If you’re up for a swim that’ll make you feel like you’ve been dipped in steel and made stronger from the inside-out, this is the place. Take the challenging 9.6-mile Cascade Pass Trail through dozens of switchbacks until views open up to Doubtful Lake at the top of a ridge below Sahale Arm. You can take the trail down to the lake for an exhilarating glacial swim. 

Explorer Tips

• Bring sturdy, comfortable footwear. There are lots of rocks on this trail and things can get slippery after a good rain or snowfall. 
• Arriving early can help you avoid crowds, but you may need to park on the side of a narrow road leading to the trailhead during the peak season (late June through September).

3. Havasu Falls – Supai, Arizona

Ostrich nOise at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Deep in the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Arizona’s Havasu Canyon, the wild Havasu Falls roar down the rock in 5 tiered cascades that appear vividly turquoise in color. This brightly-colored water, along with the beautiful views in this remote location near Grand Canyon National Park, makes Havasu Falls one of the best backcountry swimming holes in the U.S. 

There is no direct road access to Havasu Falls. You’ll need to grab a permit with reservations at the lodge or campground nearby to venture to the swimming hole here (no day hiking is allowed). Prepare for a challenging trail with switchbacks, elevation changes, and rocky ground to reach the turquoise pools at the base of the 5 glorious falls. 

Explorer Tips

• This is a hard, 24.4-mile trail with several falls nearby (like Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls), so it’s best for a multi-day backpacking trip to see and explore it all. 
• Temperatures can rise above 115°F here during the summer, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and seek shade when you can find it. 

4. Long Gulch Lake – Trinity Alps Wilderness, California

If you love taking a cool swim after a satisfying hike, you’ll love the Long Gulch Lake Trail in the Trinity Alps Wilderness close to Shasta, California. Travel 3.4 miles down a moderate downhill trail that brings you over a ridge to reach the glittering alpine lake. There’s plenty of shade and a couple of flat campsites if you want to spend the night under the stars and enjoy a night swim! 

Long Gulch Lake is excellent for swimming with cool, clear water and surrounding views of granite cliffs that tower 1,200’ overhead. If you follow the longer Gulch Lakes Loop (9.2 miles), you’ll reach Trail Gulch Lake and double your fun. 

Explorer Tips

• You’ll need a wilderness permit (free) and campfire permit (free) to stay overnight. Call the Weaverville Ranger Station for information on permits at 530-623-2121. 
• Campsites are limited at Long Gulch Lake. The best site is set up for horseback camping on the eastern end of the lake. 

Read about Alice Ford, our founder, and her experience hiking her way through Lassen Volcanic National Park, another great spot to explore in Northern California.

5. Blue Hole – Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Deborah Lee Soltesz from Flagstaff, AZ, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Santa Rosa’s famed Blue Hole is a bell-shaped spring-fed cenote and classic Route 66 destination for an old-fashioned American road trip. The water never gets above 64°F year-round, so it’s always revitalizing to take a dip. It’s one of the most popular spots to swim and dive in New Mexico, landing it among the 11 best backcountry swimming holes in the U.S. 

The cenote is 80’ wide and deep, opening up to 130’ wide at the deepest portion. A deep underground spring jets 3,000 gallons of cool water into the pool each minute. Come for a swim on the surface, or grab a weekly SCUBA permit ($25) to dive deep into the crystal-clear waters for an immersive experience. 

Explorer Tips

• Weekly SCUBA permits are available at the Blue Hole Center and Blue Hole Dive Shop for $25 ($75 for annual). Skin diving permits are separate and you’ll sign a release form before diving. 
• Parking costs $10 per vehicle, per day. The lot is about 2-3 minutes from the Blue Hole for a quick walk to get in the water. 

6. Little River Canyon – Fort Payne, Alabama

NealVickers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Little River Canyon has some of the best swimming holes not just in the south, but in the entire U.S. Waterfalls, canyon rims, rugged bluffs, dense forests, and thousands of acres of hiking trails make it a spectacular place to swim in the beauty of nature. 

While the locally-famed Hippie Hole is a popular spot for swimming here, it can be dangerous and overly crowded. Instead, head to the calmer waters at the Canyon Mouth Park Day-Use Area. There’s a 1-mile trail, great swimming access in the Little River, plenty of parking, and facilities. 

Explorer Tips

• It costs $15 per vehicle to enter the Canyon Mouth Day-Use Area (exact change or credit/debit card only). 
• Swim at your own risk in other areas of Little River Canyon beyond the mouth — note that jumping from the falls is dangerous and has resulted in multiple drowning deaths due to sharp rocks at the bottom. 

7. Hamilton Pool – Dripping Springs, Texas

G. Lamar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

With a fitting name like Dripping Springs, you know there’s a great swimming hole here — Hamilton Pool. This natural swimming hole was once a grotto that collapsed, forming a dazzling 50’ waterfall that plunges into the pool to add an aura of enchantment. It’s a quick but steep quarter-mile walk to the pool through lush vegetation and caves. 

You’ll swim at the base of the waterfall in a refreshing pool, surrounded by the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and wildlife. With scenic views, powerful flowing water, and active wildlife, this swimming hole feels alive and wild. 

Explorer Tips

• Check water access before you go. Swimming has been prohibited in the past for elevated bacteria levels, so check online to make sure water access is open before your trip. 
• Reservations are required ($12/vehicle) and day use payment ($8/person 13-61) is cash only. Make reservations in advance online before you arrive.

8. Cummins Falls – Cookeville, Tennessee

Brenton Rogers from Tullahoma, TN, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The hills and valleys of the Cumberland Plateau in Cookeville, Tennessee (just before you reach the Appalachian Mountains) are home to some stunning waterfalls, including Cummins Falls. Often named one of the best backcountry swimming holes in the U.S., Cummins Falls is a favorite spot for locals and travelers looking for a beautiful place to cool off during the hot, southern summer. 

Amble down a steep, 1.6-mile rocky trail through towering trees and open areas to reach the gorge and access the wide, welcoming falls. You’ll scramble over large boulders to get in with plenty of room to float and swim in the pool at the base. It’s worth it to see and swim under the 8th-largest waterfall in Tennessee! 

Explorer Tips

• Grab a Gorge Access Permit ($6) well in advance to swim. The park is limited to 200 permits per day, which sell out quickly for summer weekend dates. 
• Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for the hike down to the waterfall. It’s rocky and slippery, so this isn’t a time for flip-flops or shoes with poor grip.

9. Sliding Rock – Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

Lincolnh, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Venture down the famous Blue Ridge Parkway into Pisgah National Forest to swim at Sliding Rock. Around 50 minutes from Asheville, this incredible swimming hole features a rock water slide made by Mother Nature herself and cool, clear waters surrounded by forest and mountain views. 

At Sliding Rock, water pours off the slanted rock in sheets, plunging 60’ down into an 8’ deep natural swimming pool. You can slide all the way down like you’re in a forested water park or float and swim in the pool on a hot summer day. Located down a short paved walking path, you’ll feel far from civilization as you enjoy the bounty of nature in North Carolina. 

Explorer Tips

• Follow the walking path to the water’s edge to enter the “slide” on the left side. The water is 8’ deep, so you’ll safely land in the cool water.
• This day-use ($5 per person) area is very popular and best visited early in the morning from June to September. Lifeguards are on duty during peak season.

10. Bridal Veil Falls – Telluride, Colorado

Looking for an exhilarating challenge? Check out Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride, Colorado. This impressive waterfall cascades 365’ down into a box canyon with panoramic views over the town below. It’s the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado! Hiking to the falls is a steep, uphill journey (rated moderate on AllTrails) that you’ll find well worth the journey once you slip into the cool water and reward your effort. 

You’ll pass an old mill, giant boulders, lush meadows, mountain views, and old-growth forests on the scenic Bridal Veil Falls Trail. There are 3 waterfalls on the path! Don’t skip a chance to swim at the base of Bridal Veil Falls with the thundering water creating a rainbow of mist around you. 

Explorer Tips

• Arrive early to ensure you can snag a spot in the parking lot during the summer months. The earlier, the better! 
• Not up for a hike? You can drive to the base of Bridal Veil Falls in a 4WD, high-clearance vehicle to swim and enjoy the views. 

11. Devil’s Punchbowl – Aspen, Colorado

Ever dreamed of swimming in a chilly pool sandwiched between two waterfalls? Devil’s Punchbowl should be on your list. It’s one of my favorite places to take a stimulating dip. A large, 12’ deep stone basin catches the water cascading from one fall and leads down to another fall for a breathtaking experience in Aspen. 

You’ll find other risk-takers taking the cold plunge after jumping 25-30’ down from a rock ledge into the basin, which (I assume) is aptly named for being chilly enough to refresh even the devil himself on a hot summer day. 

Explorer Tips

• It’s a short hike to reach the swimming hole from the unmarked pull off on Highway 82, just past Mile Marker 50 (no signage). Get there early in the day to make sure you can access it. 
• Use extreme caution if you plan on cliff jumping. The currents can be swift, especially after a rain, and can sweep even strong swimmers away.

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