Swimming Holes Around Asheville Offer Cool Spots to Chill Out

Updated July 2024

Looking for a cool way to beat the heat of summer in Western North Carolina? Swimming holes in and around Asheville are the perfect answer. With these natural splash spots roughly an hour or less drive from Asheville, it’s easy to make a day of chilling out. So get ready to suit up and cool down! 

Azalea Park

For those who want to take a quick, in-town dip, Azalea Park, on Asheville’s east side, offers an ideal spot. While the swimming hole – along a stretch of the Swannanoa River that borders the park – is not officially maintained by the city, it draws a crowd with its light current, perfect for a refreshing stop on a hot day. Bonus: There are bathrooms and a playground at the park, so you can make a day of your dip. 498 Azalea Road East in Asheville.

Midnight Hole

This deep scenic pool sits beneath a 6-foot waterfall, part of the Big Creek Trail section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A moderate, 2.8-mile roundtrip hike amid shaded forest will get you to refreshingly cool, clear water surrounded by jumping boulders – making this an extremely popular spot when the weather gets hot. Midnight Hole is located an hour west of Asheville via I-40. https://visitncsmokies.com/listings/midnight-swimming-hole/

Lake Lure Beach and Water Park

This popular destination – famed as one of the locations where the iconic 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing” was filmed – boasts a large sandy beach, a children’s park, a waterslide and water games. The lake – 45 minutes from Asheville – is nestled in Hickory Nut Gorge, with a backdrop of majestic mountains. In-season admission is $9/adult and $7/child. 2724 Memorial Hwy in Lake Lure. https://lakeluretours.com/

Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park

This Tennessee state park, 38 miles north of Asheville via I-26 West, boasts more than 2,000 acres of lush mountain terrain, scenic cliffs, wild trout streams, and drop-and-pool swimming holes surrounded by moss-covered boulders. Among the most popular is Blue Hole, situated near the road just before the park gate. A deep pool at the base of a small waterfall, Blue Hole is named for the color swimmers turn when they come out – in other words, perfectly cold for these dog days of summer! https://tnstateparks.com/parks/rocky-fork

Carolina Hemlocks

Carolina Hemlocks, a shaded recreation area surrounded by thick hemlock forest with a mix of deciduous trees and rhododendrons, sits in Pisgah National Forest adjacent to the South Toe River. It’s the perfect spot for you and your family to swim, tube or even camp. There’s a shaded picnic shelter, as well as hiking trails to explore after your fun in the water. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233954

The Beach at Lake James

Popular Lake James, about an hour east of Asheville, beckons with its wide sandy beach, bathhouse, concession and kayak/paddleboard rentals. When lifeguards are on duty (from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends), there’s a fee of $5/adult and $4/child. You can make a day or even a weekend of your visit, thanks to the lake’s camping options. In addition to water activities, take in the trails – all 25 miles of them – either by foot, or on mountain bike (where designated).  https://www.ncparks.gov/lake-james-state-park

Hooker Falls

This 12-foot waterfall spills into a wide, open pool, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. The fourth waterfall on the Little River in DuPont State Forest, Hooker is easy to access via a short trail from the main parking area, which is equipped with a bathroom for changing. After swimming (and remember to take caution around waterfalls, never standing at the top), you can easily hike to the other falls – Triple, High and Bridal Veil – along a well-marked trail. https://www.dupontforest.com/explore/hooker-falls/

Sliding Rock

This favorite natural mountain waterfall in Pisgah National Forest offers the ultimate in water slide action. Fans line up to ride down the 60-foot flat, sloping rock, splashing at the bottom into a chilly, 8-foot-deep pool. If you’d rather watch than participate, there’s an observation deck to take in all the action. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48156

Graveyard Fields’ Lower (Second) Falls

These falls, 55 minutes from Asheville and just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 418.8, are part of the very popular Graveyard Fields hiking trail. A short, moderate hike from the parking lot makes Lower Falls (also called Second Falls) the perfect pit stop for cooling off, whether you plan to explore the surrounding trails, or make a beeline straight for the swimming hole. 

For information about Real Estate in Asheville, contact Mosaic Realty owner Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call him anytime at 828-337-8190.

Search: Real Estate in Asheville