Charlottesville Area
Williamsville, Virginia
| GPS: |
38°8'25.8"N 78°33'23.4"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Virginia |
Swim
Fees: Yes
More Information
swimmingholes.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 Williamsville, Virginia
- Head west on State Rte 614 toward State Rte 678 (39 ft)
- Turn left onto State Rte 678 (3.5 mi)
- Turn left onto State Rte 627 (5.1 mi)
- Turn left onto State Rte 629 (19.6 mi)
- Turn right onto US-250 E (15.4 mi)
- Exit onto VA-262 S/Woodrow Wilson Pkwy toward Interstate 81 S/US 11 S (6.9 mi)
- Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Interstate 64 E/Interstate 81 N/Richmond/Winchester and merge onto I-64 E/I-81 N (1.7 mi)
- Take exit 221 for I-64 E toward Richmond (0.4 mi)
- Continue onto I-64 E (19.6 mi)
- Take exit 107 for US-250 toward Crozet/Yancey Mills (0.2 mi)
- Turn left onto US-250 E (7.4 mi)
- Turn left onto Owensville Rd (4.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Garth Rd (1.1 mi)
- Turn left onto State Rte 601 (3.0 mi)
- Turn left onto 4-H WayDestination will be on the right(361 ft)
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Mint Springs Valley Park
Crozet, Virginia
10.3 miles SWTwo small lakes with sandy beaches, miles of forested hiking and mountain biking trails, a sand volleyball pit, and a playground — all in an eight-acre valley park near Crozet, Virginia.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim 15.7 mi
Sugar Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
10.7 miles WAn 11-mile loop starting and ending at Sugar Hollow Reservoir, passing Blue Hole and Rip Rap swimming holes — a hiker's way to combine challenge with a cool dip in Shenandoah.
Hike, Swim 6.1 mi
Rip Rap Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
11.6 miles WA 50-foot, mountain-fed swimming hole on a difficult 10-mile Shenandoah Valley loop that also passes Chimney Rock and a scenic waterfall — cold, clear, and worth the effort.
Hike, Swim
Pauls Creek
Nellysford, Virginia
22.7 miles SWA quick 1.2-mile hike along Paul's Creek leads to a cascading waterfall and a natural water slide — stones smoothed by the water let visitors slide right into the swimming hole below.
Hike, Swim
Rapidan Rivers
Madison, Virginia
23.3 miles NESwimming holes beneath small waterfalls along the Rapidan River in Shenandoah, accessible on short hikes — protected waters known for trout and catfish fishing.
Swim 0.3 mi
Big Rock Falls
Syria, Virginia
25.5 miles NA moderately challenging 1.5-mile trail follows Mill Prong River to a beautiful cascading waterfall with a swimming hole that fills up nicely at higher water levels.
Hike, Swim
Fridley Gap
Keezletown, Virginia
26.0 miles NA small, chest-deep swimming hole at the halfway point of a beautiful George Washington National Forest loop — cold all year and only 0.5 miles from the trailhead.
Hike, Swim
Rose River
Syria, Virginia
27.8 miles NA moderately difficult 4-mile forested loop in Shenandoah National Park descending to the Rose River and a stunning 67-foot waterfall — wading is possible in some spots.
Hike, Swim
Old Rag Area
Crewe, Virginia
29.6 miles NSix swimming holes at the base of waterfalls and along rivers in Shenandoah National Park's Old Rag area, all reached by hikes of varying length from Skyline Drive or nearby routes.
Swim 2.8 mi
Cedar Run Falls
Oldrag, Virginia
29.6 miles NSix waterfalls, a natural waterslide, and a deep swimming hole reward experienced hikers who tackle this strenuous 8-mile, 2,794-ft-elevation Shenandoah trail.
Hike, Swim
Campbell Creek
Tyro, Virginia
30.5 miles SWA 6-mile Appalachian Trail stretch with good elevation rewards remote explorers with a creek pool at the base of a waterfall — optional swimwear in this backcountry spot.
Swim
Whiteoak Canyon
Syria, Virginia
31.1 miles NA Shenandoah hike featuring both a two-tiered lower waterfall and a classic single-drop upper falls — with cool wading spots along the trail for a well-earned break before the 1,040-foot climb back.
Hike, Swim
Natural Chimneys
Mount Solon, Virginia
32.4 miles NWTowering vertical limestone formations draped in trees and vines, with shallow river swimming holes, 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a well-equipped 135-site campground.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
St. Mary's Falls
Raphine, Virginia
33.0 miles SWBlue-green water and unique low rock formations set the scene at this cascading waterfall swimming hole in St. Mary's Wilderness — a 4.4-mile out-and-back hike through George Washington National Forest.
Hike, Swim
Nicholson Hollow Trail
Morning Star, Virginia
34.4 miles NAn 8-mile moderately strenuous Shenandoah hike past stream crossings, small cascading waterfalls, shaded forest, and the historic Corbin Cabin — wading is possible in low-flow conditions.
Hike, Swim
Stokesville Campground
Madison, Virginia
35.4 miles NWSwim near Madison, Virginia
Swim
North River Gap
Mount Solon, Virginia
36.1 miles NWA free recreation area with an easy 2.4-mile river gorge hike through lush forest, a wading and swimming spot in the North River, and primitive campsites for $5 a night.
Camp, Hike, Swim 5.2 mi
Hazel River Falls
Sperryville, Virginia
36.5 miles NEA 5.3-mile moderate hike in Shenandoah National Park leading to two moss-covered waterfalls, a wading and swimming pool, flat sunbathing rocks, and small caves to explore.
Hike, Swim
Big Marys Creek Slide
Vesuvius, Virginia
40.0 miles SWA natural waterslide that launches you into a swimming hole below, with waterfalls and cool water in the Virginia hills — wear swimwear and foot protection, and check depth first.
Swim
Piney River
Sperryville, Virginia
42.2 miles NMultiple swimming holes along Piney River — including one beneath a small waterfall — reached by following Cumberland Trail through the forest near Sperryville.
Hike, SwimNearby Campsites
Natural Chimneys
Mount Solon, Virginia
32.4 miles NWTowering vertical limestone formations draped in trees and vines, with shallow river swimming holes, 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a well-equipped 135-site campground.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
North River Gap
Mount Solon, Virginia
36.1 miles NWA free recreation area with an easy 2.4-mile river gorge hike through lush forest, a wading and swimming spot in the North River, and primitive campsites for $5 a night.
Camp, Hike, Swim
