13 Free Swimming Holes near Elk River Falls
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Trail, Elk Park, NC 28622, USA City, Zip, or Address
Twisted Falls / Compression Falls
Butler, Tennessee
1.9 miles NTwisting Falls (Compression Falls) is a dramatic Elk River gorge waterfall in northeast Tennessee — stunning, but one of the region's deadliest jump spots.
Swim
Laurel Fork
Hampton, Tennessee
10.2 miles NWSwim near Hampton, Tennessee
Swim
Blue Hole Mill Creek
Elizabethton, Tennessee
17.1 miles NSwim near Elizabethton, Tennessee
Swim
Wilson Creek Area
Collettsville, North Carolina
19.7 miles SENumerous waterfalls and swimming holes tucked throughout the Wilson Creek area — most require short or longer hikes to find, but all are gems worth the effort in the Pisgah National Forest.
Swim
Linville Gorge Area
Marion, North Carolina
21.4 miles SLinville Gorge's deep swimming holes reward serious adventurers who navigate rough roads and steep trails — but the gorge is easy to get lost in, so go prepared.
Swim
Rock Creek
Unicoi, Tennessee
21.7 miles WA man-made concrete-bottom stream-fed pool with a sandy beach and short waterfall makes Rock Creek a refreshing — if chilly in June — summer splash near Unicoi.
Swim
Backbone Rock
Shady Valley, Tennessee
28.4 miles NSwim near Shady Valley, Tennessee
Swim
Mount Mitchell Area
Trinity, North Carolina
30.5 miles SWA family swimming area on the South Toe River near Mount Mitchell in the Pisgah National Forest campgrounds — note that the site is closed seasonally and fees apply.
Camp, Swim
Elk Shoals
West Jefferson, North Carolina
32.2 miles ESwim near West Jefferson, North Carolina
Swim
Horse Creek Campground
Chuckey, Tennessee
38.7 miles WA Cherokee National Forest campground beside Horse Creek with fifteen sites, picnic tables, fishing for rainbow and brook trout, creek swimming, and 31 day-use picnic tables — $10/night camping fee.
Camp, Swim
Old Forge Campground
Bethany, Tennessee
40.4 miles WPrimitive walk-in camping on scenic Jennings Creek in the Cherokee National Forest, with small waterfalls, swimming holes, and hiking trails right from camp — bring your own water.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Stone Mountain State Park
Connelly Springs, North Carolina
46.0 miles SESwim near Connelly Springs, North Carolina
Swim
Big Laurel Creek Area
Marshall, North Carolina
49.3 miles SWA family-friendly hike along Big Laurel Creek to multiple swimming holes — and a classic Class III–IV whitewater run for paddlers making the transition to creek boating.
Hike, Kayak, Swim, Whitewater
