14 Free Swimming Holes near Linville Gorge Area
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Table Rock Rd, Morganton, NC 28655, USA City, Zip, or Address
Wilson Creek Area
Collettsville, North Carolina
4.5 miles NENumerous 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
Mount Mitchell Area
Trinity, North Carolina
19.5 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
Elk River Falls
Elk Park, North Carolina
21.4 miles NSwim near Elk Park, North Carolina
Swim
Twisted Falls / Compression Falls
Butler, Tennessee
23.3 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
Stone Mountain State Park
Connelly Springs, North Carolina
25.2 miles SESwim near Connelly Springs, North Carolina
Swim
Laurel Fork
Hampton, Tennessee
29.2 miles NWSwim near Hampton, Tennessee
Swim
Rock Creek
Unicoi, Tennessee
31.0 miles NWA 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 0.8 mi
Hickory Nut Falls
Chimney Rock, North Carolina
38.2 miles SWA waterfall inside Chimney Rock State Park operated as a private concession — admission fee applies; see the park website for current pricing and details.
Hike, Swim
Blue Hole Mill Creek
Elizabethton, Tennessee
38.4 miles NSwim near Elizabethton, Tennessee
Swim
Elk Shoals
West Jefferson, North Carolina
40.5 miles NESwim near West Jefferson, North Carolina
Swim
Horse Creek Campground
Chuckey, Tennessee
45.7 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
46.8 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
Backbone Rock
Shady Valley, Tennessee
47.8 miles NSwim near Shady Valley, Tennessee
Swim
Big Laurel Creek Area
Marshall, North Carolina
49.9 miles WA 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
