26 Free Swimming Holes near Nicholson Hollow Trail
first prev 1 2 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of JJ7R+87 Morning Star, VA, USA City, Zip, or Address
Whiteoak Canyon
Syria, Virginia
3.4 miles SA Shenandoah hike featuring both a two-tiered lower waterfall and a classic single-drop upper falls — with cool wading spots along the trail for a well-earned break before the 1,040-foot climb back.
Hike, Swim 2.8 mi
Cedar Run Falls
Oldrag, Virginia
4.9 miles SSix waterfalls, a natural waterslide, and a deep swimming hole reward experienced hikers who tackle this strenuous 8-mile, 2,794-ft-elevation Shenandoah trail.
Hike, Swim
Old Rag Area
Crewe, Virginia
4.9 miles SSix swimming holes at the base of waterfalls and along rivers in Shenandoah National Park's Old Rag area, all reached by hikes of varying length from Skyline Drive or nearby routes.
Swim 5.2 mi
Hazel River Falls
Sperryville, Virginia
5.5 miles EA 5.3-mile moderate hike in Shenandoah National Park leading to two moss-covered waterfalls, a wading and swimming pool, flat sunbathing rocks, and small caves to explore.
Hike, Swim
Rose River
Syria, Virginia
6.8 miles SA moderately difficult 4-mile forested loop in Shenandoah National Park descending to the Rose River and a stunning 67-foot waterfall — wading is possible in some spots.
Hike, Swim
Piney River
Sperryville, Virginia
8.1 miles NEMultiple swimming holes along Piney River — including one beneath a small waterfall — reached by following Cumberland Trail through the forest near Sperryville.
Hike, Swim 0.3 mi
Big Rock Falls
Syria, Virginia
8.9 miles SWA moderately challenging 1.5-mile trail follows Mill Prong River to a beautiful cascading waterfall with a swimming hole that fills up nicely at higher water levels.
Hike, Swim
Rapidan Rivers
Madison, Virginia
11.7 miles SSwimming holes beneath small waterfalls along the Rapidan River in Shenandoah, accessible on short hikes — protected waters known for trout and catfish fishing.
Swim
Rock Mills
Castleton, Virginia
12.7 miles ECLOSED. This property is owned by the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. Swimmers here without a permit will be prosecuted for trespassing. A classic all-American swimming hole with a tire and rope swing, a small sandy beach, and smaller pools for little ones — privately owned but open to the public near a historic country Baptist church.
Swim 3.8 mi
Overall Run Falls
Overall, Virginia
13.2 miles NVirginia's longest consecutive waterfall anchors a challenging 8-mile Shenandoah hike with rock scrambles, cool river rest spots, and a deep swimming hole for experienced swimmers.
Hike, Swim
Overall Area
Crewe, Virginia
18.6 miles NSwim near Crewe, Virginia
Swim
Gooney Creek
Front Royal, Virginia
18.7 miles NCamp, Hike, and Swim near Front Royal, Virginia
Camp, Hike, Swim
Hazel Falls
Rixeyville, Virginia
19.3 miles EA remote cool, clear swimming hole with a dual waterfall — an upper rocky overhang shelter pool and a deeper lower pool — reached by a mile-plus hike on Hazel Mountain and White Rocks Trails.
Swim
Fridley Gap
Keezletown, Virginia
20.6 miles SWA 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
Elizabeth Furnace
Strasburg, Virginia
21.9 miles NA 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
Buzzard Rock Hole
Strasburg, Virginia
22.9 miles NA cold, clear, deep swimming hole below the iconic Buzzard Rock, with a sunbathing ledge all around — just note the rocky shallow bottom makes jumping unsafe.
Hike, Swim
Blue Hole Bergton
Bergton, Virginia
32.7 miles WA 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
Charlottesville Area
Williamsville, Virginia
34.4 miles STwo swimming spots north of Charlottesville, Virginia — a fee applies, so check details before heading out.
Swim 6.1 mi
Rip Rap Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
37.3 miles SWA 50-foot, mountain-fed swimming hole on a difficult 10-mile Shenandoah Valley loop that also passes Chimney Rock and a scenic waterfall — cold, clear, and worth the effort.
Hike, Swim 15.7 mi
Sugar Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
39.1 miles SWAn 11-mile loop starting and ending at Sugar Hollow Reservoir, passing Blue Hole and Rip Rap swimming holes — a hiker's way to combine challenge with a cool dip in Shenandoah.
Hike, Swim
