10 Free Swimming Holes near Glenn C. Hilton Memorial Park
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Glenn C. Hilton Memorial Park near Hickory, North Carolina City, Zip, or Address
Stone Mountain State Park
Connelly Springs, North Carolina
19.8 miles SWSwim near Connelly Springs, North Carolina
Swim
Lake Norman State Park Swim Beach
Troutman
24.2 miles EA lifeguarded sand beach on the north shore of Lake Norman inside Lake Norman State Park near Troutman. Park entry is free; a state swim pass ($6 adults, $4 kids 3 to 12) is required in season.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Wilson Creek Area
Collettsville, North Carolina
28.9 miles NWNumerous 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
Lake James State Park Swim Beach
Nebo
29.3 miles WLake James State Park puts its only swimming beach at the Paddy's Creek Access, a 700-foot sand crescent on a cool mountain reservoir below Linville Gorge. The swim area runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May 1 to September 30, and N.C. State Parks charges $6 a
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim
Linville Gorge Area
Marion, North Carolina
30.8 miles WLinville 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
Elk Shoals
West Jefferson, North Carolina
41.9 miles NSwim near West Jefferson, North Carolina
Swim
Bullhole
Woodleaf, North Carolina
44.5 miles ESwim near Woodleaf, North Carolina
Swim
Elk River Falls
Elk Park, North Carolina
46.0 miles NWSwim near Elk Park, North Carolina
Swim
Twisted Falls / Compression Falls
Butler, Tennessee
47.3 miles NWTwisting Falls (Compression Falls) is a dramatic Elk River gorge waterfall in northeast Tennessee — stunning, but one of the region's deadliest jump spots.
Swim
Carolina Hemlock
Burnsville, North Carolina
47.6 miles WA 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
