10 Best Swimming Holes in the US

Last Updated on September 01, 2023 by Nikki Jain

Love to swim? Don’t stick to the public pool! There are many beautiful swimming holes in America that offer something unique. Whether you want to stand below a thundering waterfall, slide down a natural rock slide, or scuba inside a rock dome, you’ll be sure to find the best swimming experience of your life at one of these swimming holes in the USA.

Let's take a look at the 10 best swimming holes in the US.

Best Swimming Holes in America

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1: Hamilton Pool, Dripping Springs, Texas

Hamilton Pool, Dripping Springs, Texas
Flickr/Kevin Muncie

Hamilton Pool Preserve is a little bit of heaven in the hot environment of Texas. The lovely pool is sheltered by a high rock on one side and offers a beautiful view of the park on the other.

Because of the popularity of this pool, there is a limit on how many people can enter at once. During the peak season, you have to make a reservation in order to visit!

Even in the off-season, there is usually about an hour’s wait before you can go in. Despite this, it’s definitely worth a visit to this gorgeous little natural pool.

Address: 24300 Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs, TX 78620


2: Havasu Falls, Supai, Arizona

Havasu Falls, Supai, Arizona
Flickr/shilo2006

Arizona’s Grand Canyon region is one of the best U.S. destinations. People travel from all over the world to see this breathtaking natural wonder. Although it’s not the most famous stop, Havasu Falls is one of the best places to pull off the highway and enjoy nature.

Right in the middle of the barren rocky desert, the Colorado River sliced through the red landscape to bring coolness and color to the view. At Havasu Falls, the river thunders over the side of a cliff and plummets into a deep pool! This is one of the best Southwestern experiences you can have.

Address: 1248 Holmgrove Drive, Supai, AZ 86435


3: Cummins Falls, Jackson County, Tennessee

Cummins Falls, Jackson County, Tennessee
Flickr/Brenton Rogers

Although Cummins Falls isn’t the biggest or highest waterfall in Tennessee, it is arguably the most beautiful. This waterfall is located in the middle of a 200-acre park where you can hike, relax, and (of course) swim. Take the hike into the gorge to splash around in the swimming hole below the falls!

Address: 390 Cummins Falls Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501

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4: Madison Blue Springs State Park, Lee, Florida

Madison Blue Springs State Park, Lee, Florida
Flickr/Paul Clark

This is one of the best swimming holes in the United States that boast some of the clearest water you’ll ever see in your life! The pool is fed by a clean natural spring, and you can see all the way to the bottom of the limestone basin’s 24-foot depth. You can come and swim in the sunshine, or bring your scuba gear to dive in the underwater caves below the pool!

Address: 8300 FL-6, Lee, FL 32059

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Also Read: Best Beaches in Florida


5: Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Wikimedia/Eric T Gunther

This deep, blue swimming hole is perfect for scuba training or casual swimming! The pool is actually an artesian well, and it was once used as a fish hatchery. However, the 81-feet deep, 60-feet wide hole is perfect for water sports, so it is now used for recreational purposes.

Address: 1085 Blue Hole Rd, Santa Rosa, NM 88435

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6: Ohe'o Gulch, Maui, Hawaii

Ohe'o Gulch, Maui, Hawaii
Flickr/drazz

If you take a trip down the legendary Road to Hana, be sure to make a stop at Haleakala National Park. Here’s you’ll find the stunning O’heo Gulch, a slice of tropical paradise. This region boasts dozens of picturesque pools and waterfalls that flow from the island’s interior to the ocean.

Address: Haleakala National Park, Maui, HI

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7: Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Flickr/Todd Petrie

Brandywine Falls has a long and important history. This is the site of one of the oldest settlements in Ohio, Brandywine Village. People were drawn to the lovely 65-foot cascades two hundred years ago, just as they are today. Although the original village is all but gone, you can still walk the boardwalk to the falls and swimming hole.

Address: 8176 Brandywine Rd, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067

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8: Turner Falls, Davis, Oklahoma

Turner Falls, Davis, Oklahoma
Flickr/Mike Trimble

If you love to surround yourself with nature’s beauty, there’s no better place to do it than Turner Falls Park in Oklahoma! Immerse yourself in the blue water of the swimming hole at the foot of the falls, or just relax on the beach.

Address: Highway 77 South, Davis, OK 73030


9: Sliding Rock, Asheville, North Carolina

Sliding Rock, Asheville, North Carolina
Wikimedia/Lincolnh

This swimming hole is one of the most popular in North Carolina’s mountains! Not only is this a swimming area, but it’s also a natural waterpark. Take a ride down the slippery rocks and plunge into the cold water of the huge swimming hole below! This is a fun and exciting summer stop.

Address: Sliding Rock, Brevard, NC 28768


10: The Homestead Crater, Midway, UT

The Homestead Crater, Midway, UT

Homestead Crater is one of the most beautiful and unique swimming holes in America.

It is a geothermal spring located deep within a massive limestone rock at the Homestead Resort. The hole at the top of the crater passes sunlight stream gently into the hole, while a warm spring at the bottom of the hole keeps it nice and warm all year.

This swimming hole is not for the faint of heart. It is, however, a popular scuba diving destination since it’s the only warm-water scuba opportunity in the continental U.S. Visit for an awesome geological adventure and one-of-a-kind swimming experience!

Address: 700 North Homestead Drive, Midway, UT 84049


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