Arnold Valley Pool
Natural Bridge Station, Virginia
| GPS: |
37°33'56.6"N 79°28'50.3"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Virginia |
Swim
Arnold Valley Pool is a secluded gem of a swimming hole tucked into Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains near Natural Bridge Station, fed by the cold, spring-fed waters of East Fork Elk Creek. Ringed by massive boulders on three sides, it's the kind of hidden local swimming spot that rewards the drive down a dusty gravel road.
The setting is made for a summer day in the water. A natural rock slide feeds into the deepest part of the pool — nearly 12 feet deep — and you can often find a rope swing hanging from the surrounding trees for launching into the water. The spring-fed creek runs genuinely cold, so be ready for a bracing shock when you jump in.
It sits just a couple hundred feet from the road (Route 781, along the East Fork) in the Jefferson National Forest country near Devil's Marbleyard, so it's easy to reach once you navigate the back roads. The nearby Cave Mountain Lake campground makes a good base for an overnight.
There are no facilities or lifeguards here, so swim at your own judgment: check depth before using the slide or rope swing, wear water shoes for the rocky bottom, watch kids closely, and pack out everything. Summer is prime, but the cold water stays refreshing right through the warm months.
More Information
Arnold Valley Pool, VA: Swimming Hole on East Fork Elk Creek
Guide to the unofficial Arnold Valley Pool swimming hole in Virginia. Find directions, safety tips, and details for swimming and rope swing access.
https://www.hiddenswimmingholes.com/swimming-holes/arnold-valley-poolswimmingholes.org VIRGINIA Swimming Holes and Hot Springs rivers creek springs falls hiking camping
THE web site for beautiful, natural places for a cool dip or hot soak.
https://www.swimmingholes.org/va.html
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Natural Bridge Station, Virginia
- Head northeast on State Rte 773 toward State Rte 688 (308 ft)
- Turn right to stay on State Rte 773 (413 ft)
- Slight right onto State Rte 793 (0.4 mi)
- Turn left onto Greenlee Rd (0.1 mi)
- Turn right toward VA-759 S (105 ft)
- Turn right onto VA-759 S (2.7 mi)
- Turn left onto State Rte 781Destination will be on the right(2.1 mi)
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