Beat the heat: Swimming holes, waterfalls and lakes around the USA
Forget the pool: These spots will cool you off in scenic style.
Beat the heat: Swimming holes, waterfalls and lakes around the USA Forget the pool: These spots will cool you off in scenic style. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2bDZuWF
Kori Hill, Special for USA TODAY Published 7:46 a.m. ET Aug. 18, 2016 | Updated 10:07 a.m. ET June 23, 2018
Swimmin' holes around the USA
If you're looking to cool off in Florida, head to Madison Blue Spring. The state park swimming hole has a limestone basin, creating a bright blue-green effect on the water. The spring is along the west bank of the Withlacoochee River and is indeed a popular spot for swimming. Florida State Parks
Enders Falls is a collection of about six waterfalls in Granby, Connecticut. The waterfall's pools are all great places to swim in the summer. Holcy, Getty Images/iStockphoto
In the Ozarks of Arkansas is a beautiful waterfall known as Falling Water Falls. Its pools are popular local swimming holes and are easily accessed from nearby roads. tomofbluesprings, Getty Images/iStockphoto
The waterfall is a short drop and has a wide cascade, which allows for larger groups of people to enjoy its natural showering effects. Clint Spencer, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Gulf Hagas is a gorge in Maine that is referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East. It is also known for being the last part of the Appalachian Trail. Though the area is quite remote and takes almost four hours to get to from Portland, there are numerous waterfalls and dipping pools throughout. Stephen Page, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Hamilton Pool is a popular natural swimming hole in Travis County, Texas. positive_expressions, Getty Images/iStockphoto
It is so popular, reservations are required to visit between May and September. dibrova, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Its beautiful clear waters and warm shallow pools are just a couple of reasons why Fossil Creek in Arizona is a popular swimming destination. Its flora and fauna and small waterfalls are also a great attraction wingedwolf, Getty Images/iStockphoto
In the Grand Canyon, on the Havasupai tribal lands, is Havasu Falls. It is the most famous of the falls along Havasu Creek. The waterfall's one main shoot plunging 90 feet into the bright blue-green pools (due to high calcium carbonate concentration in the water) is a spectacular sight against the beautiful red rocks of Arizona. zysman, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Enjoy the scenery while wading in one of the surrounding pools or even swim behind the falls into a rock shelter. KiraVolkov, Getty Images/iStockphoto
If you liked the idea of Havasu Falls, you will also be intrigued by Mooney Falls. It's only 1 mile away and has a similar water shoot and swimming hole below. kurt_ch, Getty Images/iStockphoto
2. Unfortunately, getting to the base of the waterfall and its pool is much more treacherous than Havasu and requires some rock climbing skills. kimhammar, Getty Images/iStockphoto
After you visit Havasu and Mooney Falls, you can head over to Beaver Falls, another amazing waterfall structure along Havasu Creek in Arizona. David F. Coppedge
Near Santa Rosa, New Mexico, is a very popular natural swimming destination known as Blue Hole. Boxie61, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Blue Hole is a deep artesian well and is a very popular spot for swimming and SCUBA diving. The hole, which is 80 feet in diameter at the surface, expands to 130 at the bottom and includes passageways. suesmith2, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Buttermilk Falls State Park in New York is named for its most famous waterfall, a large cascade that resembles the process of churning. SergeYatunin, Getty Images/iStockphoto
In total, the part has 10 waterfalls and a variety of other activities and hiking trails. haveseen, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Tuolumne River runs through Yosemite National Park, offering a great stretch of water with many diverse swimming spots, almost all with incredible views of one of America's most famous parks. Oleksandr Buzko, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Jump off waterfalls or wade in a calm pool; the Tuolumne River has it all. Greg Epperson, Getty Images/iStockphoto
A good spot to take a dip at Yosemite is Carlon Falls. It requires a good one or two hour hike, so bring your best boots. The swimming pool includes a larger waterfall and various smaller cascades heading downstream. Patrick Huber
Echo Lake is a beautiful freshwater lake in Acadia National Park in Maine. Echo Lake Beach is an area for visitors to go swimming (with a lifeguard!) and the water is known for being a much friendlier temperature than surrounding swimming spots. Jerry Whaley
Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio has various rock formations that have created a maze of waterfalls, caves, and other natural recreational gems. Upper Falls is one of the popular picturesque areas. Benjamin Simeneta, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Ash Cave Falls, another Hocking Hills destination, offers a different type of waterfall. LarryKnupp, Getty Images/iStockphoto
In Midway, Utah is the Homestead Crater or Homestead "caldera". It is a natural swimming hole though it is used commercially and has an associated resort. Similar to Blue Hole in New Mexico, it is also a popular destination for scuba divers. Cathy Palopoli
Little River Canyon is a National Preserve in the southern Appalachian mountains. The canyon and its Little River are one of the deepest and wildest areas in the Southeast. The site provides plenty of places to take a dip in the river, which has been flowing through the mountain range for thousands of years. RobHainer, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Martha's Falls is one of the more prominent swimming holes, an area with lots of rocks and small water falls. Martha's Falls (Little Falls) Brenton Bellomy
Once a fairly quiet swimming hole only the locals knew about, Peekamoose Blue Hole in New York has apparently turned into a raucous party spot. Gerald Berliner
Redfish Lake is a large, glacial lake in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. One of the best ways to experience the area is at The Redfish Lake Lodge. The lodge was built in 1929 and has been a popular recreation spot ever since. Bentleyphotos, Getty Images/iStockphoto
One of the best parts of swimming at Redfish is the view of the grand Sawtooth Mountains in the background. Marty Nelson, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Rose River Falls is a waterfall and various cascades in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. 2. It can be accessed from the Rose River Loop Trail near the Big Meadows lodge area. jam4travel, Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sliding Rock is a famous waterfall in North Carolina that attracts visitors who slide from the top into the pool below. It is a very popular swimming spot, especially during the hot North Carolina summers. The US Forest Service runs the recreation at Sliding Rock and surrounding area. Randy Scherkenbach
Wekiwa Springs is a great natural swimming destination in central Florida. It is located at the headwaters of the Wekiva River. The area also provides canoeing, kayaking, and miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking, and biking. Wirepec, Getty Images/iStockphoto
If you're looking to cool off in Florida, head to Madison Blue Spring. The state park swimming hole has a limestone basin, creating a bright blue-green effect on the water. The spring is along the west bank of the Withlacoochee River and is indeed a popular spot for swimming.(Photo: Florida State Parks)
There's something nostalgic about searching for a good swimmin' hole during the heat of the summer. Those days don't have to be gone for good, though. Between the USA's natural parks, beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and lakes, there are plenty of scenic swim spots to be had. Try out any of the above for a dive back in time while keeping cool. Want something less outdoorsy? These water parks are all indoors:
Indoor water parks: Splash down all year round
Wilderness Resort's Claim Jumper Challenge sends riders on tricked out rafts down the enclosed slides and has them press onboard buttons that correspond to the colors projected in the tubes to score points. Wilderness Resort
At Aquatopia at the Camelback Resort in the Poconos, you can ski down a mountain and careen down a water slide on the same day. Aquatopia at Camelback Resort
The Venus Slydetrap has up to six passengers pile into a circular raft, rush down an enclosed, winding tube, travel up and down the walls of a mini funnel, and navigate a half-pipe element before being deposited into a splash pool. Aquatopia at Camelback Resort
Another water park at a ski resort, the Pump House has one of the wackiest and nerve-wracking indoor slides. Jay Peak
Riders in La Chute enter a launch capsule 65 feet in the air and anxiously wait as the count down commences for its trap door floor to open. Jay Peak
During the warmer months, thrill junkies flock to Cedar Point for its incredible collection of roller coasters. It's only fitting then that the Point's indoor water park, Castaway Bay, features Rendezvous Run, a Master Blaster uphill water coaster. Castaway Bay
The largest chain of indoor water park resorts, Great Wolf Lodge has locations across the country. Its Texas park boasts Howlin' Tornado, a funnel ride. Great Wolf Lodge
Riders climb into cloverleaf rafts, race down a drop, and enter a humungous funnel placed on its side. The rafts climb up and down the sides of the funnel a number of times and deliver stomach butterflies to passengers. Great Wolf Lodge
Many indoor (and outdoor) water parks have FlowRider surfing attractions similar to Boogie Bear Surf at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge. Six Flags Great Escape Lodge
What makes the Great Escape Lodge unique is that it offers small-group lessons to help guests get up to speed. The park also allows stand-up surfing and provides lessons for that as well. Six Flags Great Escape Lodge
Rather than jets of water, the Zip Coaster at Kalahari Resort Lodge uses a unique conveyor belt system to propel its rafts. Kalahari Resort Lodge
Like a grocery store checkout gone bonkers, the belts rev up whenever a raft approaches them, and sends passenger hurtling uphill. Kalahari Resort Lodge
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