Petersburg Area
Parsons, West Virginia
Swim
More Information
swimmingholes.org WEST VIRGINIA Swimming Holes and Hot Springs rivers creek springs falls hiking cam
THE web site for beautiful, natural places for a cool dip or hot soak.
https://www.swimmingholes.org/wv.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 Parsons, West Virginia
- Head northeast on US-219 N/1st St/Seneca Trail toward Walnut StContinue to follow US-219 N/Seneca Trail(13.7 mi)
- Turn right onto WV-32/Spruce StContinue to follow WV-32(2.2 mi)
- Turn left onto WV-93 E (11.6 mi)
- Slight left onto US-48 (18.8 mi)
- Take the exit toward Patterson Creek Rd (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Patterson Creek Rd (7.0 mi)
- Slight left onto WV-42 S (3.6 mi)
- Slight left onto WV-28 N/WV-55 E (0.8 mi)
- Turn left onto US Hwy 220 N/Virginia AveContinue to follow US Hwy 220 NDestination will be on the right(2.1 mi)
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Welton Park
Petersburg, West Virginia
0.0 miles NEA beautiful 29-acre riverside park on the Potomac River with beach and dock access, kayak and canoe put-in, picnic areas, campsites, a playground, and a growing holiday light show.
Swim
River Access Hole
Cabins, West Virginia
8.4 miles WScenic forested rock formations and the rushing North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River offer wading, swimming, fly fishing, and float access — wear foot protection in the rocky riverbed.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim, Whitewater
Big Bend
Cabins, West Virginia
11.3 miles SWA sandy-beached swimming hole on the Potomac River with deep enough water for splashing and a circular current perfect for tubing — plus a campground with showers and fire pits.
Swim
Red Creek
Davis, West Virginia
14.4 miles WA remote West Virginia canyon hides multiple waterfalls, natural water slides, and deep swimming pools along a 6.3-mile out-and-back through dramatic rock formations.
Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Blue Hole Bergton
Bergton, Virginia
18.7 miles SEA scenic day-use picnic area on a river in Rockingham County — flooding and erosion have made it shallower over time, best now for wading and enjoying the forest and rock surroundings.
Swim
Seneca Area
Shady Spring, West Virginia
18.8 miles SWSwim near Shady Spring, West Virginia
Swim
Cave Hole
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
18.8 miles SWA free, fee-free swimming hole on the North Fork South Branch Potomac River near Seneca Rocks, with blue-green water, a rocky beach, cliff reflections, and shaded alcoves — no diving.
Swim
Seneca Falls
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
19.4 miles SWA moderately difficult 3.5-mile forested hike to Seneca Falls — a cascade encircling a clear pool with a sloping rocky beach where you can swim right beneath the falls.
Hike, Swim
Upper Falls of Seneca Creek
Whitmer, West Virginia
25.1 miles SWA 30-foot cascade tumbles into a deep green pool at the end of a 5-mile moderately challenging hike through beautiful creek and forest scenery in West Virginia.
Swim
Otter Creek Area
Parsons, West Virginia
30.0 miles WA network of swimming spots in and around Otter Creek Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest — remote, scenic, and clothing optional in some areas.
Swim
Horseshoe Bend Area
Webster Springs, West Virginia
30.3 miles NWSwim near Webster Springs, West Virginia
Swim
Mount Storm Area
Valley Head, West Virginia
31.5 miles NSwim near Valley Head, West Virginia
Swim
Stuart
Elkins, West Virginia
37.6 miles WAn attractive, well-developed swimming spot in West Virginia with cool water, a sandy beach, and a safe, calm atmosphere — day use runs $3.
Swim
New Germany State Park
Swanton, Maryland
37.8 miles NA mountain gem tucked between Big Savage Mountain and the Continental Divide, with ten miles of multi-use trails, a small lake for fishing and swimming, and a true off-the-grid atmosphere.
Backcountry Ski, Camp, Canoe, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Mountain Bike, Snowshoe, Swim 1.2 mi
Mule Hollow
Elkins, West Virginia
38.4 miles WA private pool in Shaver's Fork river with flat sunbathing rocks all around — quiet and secluded, reached by a mile walk along active train tracks (wear sturdy shoes).
Swim
Swallow Falls State Park
Oakland, Maryland
38.9 miles NWTwo sets of waterfalls and multiple swimming holes in Swallow Falls State Park — dive into the pools below each falls, but never swim or climb directly above Muddy Creek Falls where people have fallen to their death.
Swim
High Falls
Elkins West, Virginia
39.9 miles SWA 7.5-mile moderate hike or mountain bike ride in West Virginia leading to a spectacular waterfall with a swimming hole below — or skip the hike and ride the train in from Bemis for about $10.
Hike, Swim
Fridley Gap
Keezletown, Virginia
40.3 miles SEA 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
Bemis Area
Volga, West Virginia
40.4 miles SWSwim near Volga, West Virginia
Swim
Elizabeth Furnace
Strasburg, Virginia
41.0 miles EA recreation area in the Shenandoah with 32 electric campsites, miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, rock climbing access, and a Passage Creek swimming hole with a log to jump from.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb, SwimNearby Campsites
Red Creek
Davis, West Virginia
14.4 miles WA remote West Virginia canyon hides multiple waterfalls, natural water slides, and deep swimming pools along a 6.3-mile out-and-back through dramatic rock formations.
Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
New Germany State Park
Swanton, Maryland
37.8 miles NA mountain gem tucked between Big Savage Mountain and the Continental Divide, with ten miles of multi-use trails, a small lake for fishing and swimming, and a true off-the-grid atmosphere.
Backcountry Ski, Camp, Canoe, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Mountain Bike, Snowshoe, Swim
Elizabeth Furnace
Strasburg, Virginia
41.0 miles EA recreation area in the Shenandoah with 32 electric campsites, miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, rock climbing access, and a Passage Creek swimming hole with a log to jump from.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb, Swim
Natural Chimneys
Mount Solon, Virginia
44.3 miles STowering 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
44.3 miles SA 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
Gooney Creek
Front Royal, Virginia
45.9 miles ECamp, Hike, and Swim near Front Royal, Virginia
Camp, Hike, Swim
