Moonshine Falls Area
Bishopville, South Carolina
| GPS: |
35°0'32.4"N 82°49'14.7"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | South Carolina |
Swim
More Information
swimmingholes.org South Carolina Swimming Holes and Hot Springs rivers creek springs falls hiking ca
THE web site for beautiful, natural places for a cool dip or hot soak.
https://www.swimmingholes.org/sc.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 Bishopville, South Carolina
- Head southwest on US-15 S/N Main St toward E Church StContinue to follow US-15 S(2.3 mi)
- Turn right to merge onto I-20 W toward Columbia (51.6 mi)
- Take exit 64B to merge onto I-26 W toward Spartanburg (55.3 mi)
- Keep left at the fork to continue on I-385 N, follow signs for Interstate 385/Laurens/Greenville (29.7 mi)
- Keep left to stay on I-385 N (6.6 mi)
- Keep left to stay on I-385 N (5.4 mi)
- Take exit 42 for US-276 toward Stone Ave/Travelers Rest (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto US-276 N/E Stone Ave (1.5 mi)
- Continue straight onto W Stone Ave (0.1 mi)
- Turn right onto SC-183/Pete Hollis BlvdContinue to follow SC-183(8.5 mi)
- Turn right onto State Rd S-39-162/Thomas Mill Rd (0.4 mi)
- Turn left onto Hester Store Rd (4.2 mi)
- Turn right onto SC-135 N (6.2 mi)
- Turn right onto SC-8 W (0.6 mi)
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto SC-288 W (6.3 mi)
- Turn right onto US-178 W (3.4 mi)
- Keep left to continue on State Rd S-39-100 (2.0 mi)
- Turn right onto State Rd S-39-92 (0.9 mi)
- Turn right onto Water Falls Rd (459 ft)
- Continue onto Holcombe Hollow (384 ft)
- Holcombe Hollow turns slightly left and becomes Water Falls Rd (476 ft)
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Rainbow Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
9.5 miles NWA 150-foot spectacular cascade on the Horsepasture River can be admired from front, side, bottom, and top — one showstopper in a 2-mile series of incredible falls.
Hike, Swim 1.0 mi
Hidden Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
9.7 miles NWJust a few steps off the Horsepasture River trail, Hidden Falls drops less than ten feet into an idyllic boulder-rimmed pool — a serene and easy family swimming hole.
Hike, Swim 1.4 mi
Turtleback Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
10.0 miles NWTurtleback Falls' dome-shaped slide drops riders 10 feet into the Chug Hole pool, but wait for calm currents — strong flows have swept swimmers downriver over 125-foot Rainbow Falls.
Backpack, Hike, Swim
Cashiers Area
Woodleaf, North Carolina
16.9 miles WSwim near Woodleaf, North Carolina
Swim
Dupont State Park
Wallace, North Carolina
17.6 miles NESwim near Wallace, North Carolina
Swim
Todd Creek Falls
Central, South Carolina
17.6 miles SA short hike leads to Todd Creek Falls and a deep, gradually entered pool at the base — a relaxed clothing-optional spot in the South Carolina upstate woods.
Swim
Courthouse Falls
18.6 miles N
A gorgeous 45-foot waterfall streams into a stunning blue-green pool in a greenery-covered cliff cove — just a 3/4-mile easy hike from the parking lot, open year-round.
Hike, Swim
Whaleback Swimming Hole
Asheville, North Carolina
18.9 miles NA horseshoe of massive bedrock around a deep, green swimming hole where Cove Creek meets the Davidson River — locals' quiet answer to crowded Sliding Rock.
Swim 0.8 mi
Daniel Ridge Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
19.1 miles NAn easy half-mile hike in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard to a 150-foot waterfall known by three names — most impressive after rain, modest in dry spells, with an optional 4-mile loop to the top.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
Cove Creek Tubs
Brevard, North Carolina
19.1 miles NThree perfectly rounded pot holes — the Pisgah Forest's finest — stack up to 12 feet deep in sun-drenched pools that are best described as nature's own jacuzzi collection.
Swim
Davidson River Campground
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
19.6 miles NA year-round campground in Pisgah National Forest just four miles from Brevard and less than an hour from Asheville, with shaded loops, hiking trails, waterfalls, and fishing spots nearby.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Big Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
19.6 miles NWSeveral remote swimming holes near the TN-NC border in the Big Creek Recreation Area of the Great Smoky Mountains — very secluded, and dogs are not allowed on the trail.
Swim
Bear Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
19.6 miles NWSeveral remote swimming holes in lakes along Route 281 southeast of Sylva and Cullowhee — bathing suits optional at most spots, given how far off the beaten path they are.
Swim
Coontree Recreation Area
Brevard, North Carolina
19.6 miles NA scenic picnic area on the Davidson River with direct access to calm, deep water for swimming and fishing — plus the 3.7-mile Coontree Loop Trail through Pisgah National Forest.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim 0.1 mi
Looking Glass Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
20.0 miles NOne of North Carolina's most popular and accessible waterfalls — the 60-foot Looking Glass Falls drops roadside along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway in Pisgah National Forest, with easy viewing from the parking area or a short walk.
Swim
Looking Glass Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
20.0 miles NA cascading 60-foot waterfall over mossy stone with a wading pool below — just a short, beautiful walk from Pisgah Highway in Brevard, stunning in any season.
Hike, Swim 0.2-2.8 mi
Graveyard Fields
Brevard, North Carolina
21.6 miles NTwo cascading waterfalls — a swimmable Lower Falls just 1/3 mile from the road, and a more challenging Upper Falls on a 3.5-mile wildflower loop — make this a must-see hike.
Hike, Swim
Skinny Dip Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
21.7 miles NA cascading waterfall with multiple clear pools for wading and swimming, a 6-foot jumping spot, and an easy 3/4-mile forested walk from the Blue Ridge Parkway — swimmers should mind fast water and slippery rocks.
Hike, Swim 1.8 mi
Flat Laurel Creek
22.6 miles N
A 3.18-mile multi-use trail following Flat Laurel Creek through colorful rock formations and forest, with distant views of Sam Knob and a small waterfall — open year round.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, Swim
Big East Fork
Canton, North Carolina
24.6 miles NHeavy forest, multiple waterfalls, and a river that shifts from white rapids to calm swimming holes along Big East Fork in Pisgah National Forest — great for kayaking, camping, and swimming year-round.
Backpack, Hike, Kayak, SwimNearby Campsites
Davidson River Campground
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
19.6 miles NA year-round campground in Pisgah National Forest just four miles from Brevard and less than an hour from Asheville, with shaded loops, hiking trails, waterfalls, and fishing spots nearby.
Camp, Hike, Swim
War Woman Dell Wildlife Management Area
Clayton, Georgia
31.3 miles WA short 0.8-mile out-and-back hike near Clayton, Georgia through a nature trail to a waterfall — good for all skill levels and accessible year-round.
Camp, Hike, Horseback
Mt. LeConte Lodge
Sylva, North Carolina
36.3 miles NWThe highest guest lodge in the eastern United States at 6,400 feet, with spectacular Smokies views from an open glade just below the Mt. LeConte summit in Great Smoky Mountains NP.
Camp, Hike, Horseback, Rock Climb
