36 Free Swimming Holes near Little Pigeon River
first prev 1 2 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Greenbrier Parking Area 1, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA City, Zip, or Address
Ramsey Cascades
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
4.1 miles SERamsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — a thundering 100-foot, multi-tiered cascade hidden deep in the old-growth forest of the Greenbrier area near...
Hike, Kayak, Swim, Whitewater
Cosby Campground
Cosby, Tennessee
11.7 miles ECamp and Swim near Cosby, Tennessee
Camp, Swim
Mouse Creek Falls
Waynesville, North Carolina
15.8 miles EMouse Creek Falls is one of the finest waterfall hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a two-tiered 45-foot cascade where Mouse Creek spills down a mossy rock face and empties straight into...
Swim
Deep Creek Area
Wallace, North Carolina
18.6 miles SSwim near Wallace, North Carolina
Swim
French Broad
Del Rio, Tennessee
25.7 miles NESwim near Del Rio, Tennessee
Swim
Fingerlake
Almond, North Carolina
26.8 miles SAn offshoot of Fontana Lake open April through October, Fingerlake offers gravel-edged swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing surrounded by lush forest — with restrooms and picnic tables on site.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Rocky Bluff
Hot Springs, North Carolina
33.0 miles ERocky Bluff is a tranquil mountain getaway in the Pisgah National Forest near Hot Springs, North Carolina, where a wooded campground sits beside the lovely Spring Creek just a few miles south of...
Camp, Hike, Swim
Sliding Rock
Hot Springs, North Carolina
33.2 miles EA 60-foot natural rock waterslide into an 8-foot-deep, 50-to-60-degree pool — lifeguard on duty Memorial Day to Labor Day, with a $5 entry fee per person.
Swim
Sapphire Area
Hot Springs, North Carolina
33.2 miles ESeveral waterfalls with swimming within easy walking distance of each other on the Horsepasture River in the Sapphire area of North Carolina.
Swim
Queens Creek Lake
Nantahala, North Carolina
34.5 miles SWA secluded reservoir in the Nantahala mountains with mountain reflections on still water, quality trout fishing, swimming on warm days, and a scenic drive up Winding Stairs Road.
Swim
Hot Springs Resort
Hot Springs, North Carolina
34.6 miles EA privately operated outdoor resort with natural hot mineral water in private hot tubs — popular with visitors who split the cost, with mineral-rich water that relaxes and rejuvenates.
Swim
Midnight Hole
Waynesville, North Carolina
36.3 miles SEMidnight Hole is the most beloved swimming hole in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an emerald-green pool of startling clarity sitting at the base of a six-foot waterfall, ringed by house-sized...
Swim
Big Creek
Waynesville, North Carolina
36.3 miles SEBig Creek is a crystalline mountain stream tumbling through the quiet northeastern corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it may be the single best swimming creek in the Smokies. Cold,...
Swim
Sunburst
Canton, North Carolina
36.9 miles SESunburst is a refreshing mountain getaway along the West Fork of the Pigeon River in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest, tucked into the high, forested country south of Canton and...
Swim
Big Laurel Creek Area
Marshall, North Carolina
37.9 miles EA 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 1.8 mi
Flat Laurel Creek
40.3 miles SE
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
Bear Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
40.9 miles SESeveral 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
Big Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
40.9 miles SESeveral 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
Big East Fork
Canton, North Carolina
42.5 miles SEHeavy 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, Swim 0.2-2.8 mi
Graveyard Fields
Brevard, North Carolina
43.1 miles SETwo 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
