23 Free Swimming Holes near Old Forge Campground
first prev 1 2 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of 38R8+XQ Bethany, TN, USA City, Zip, or Address
Horse Creek Campground
Chuckey, Tennessee
1.8 miles NEA 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
Big Laurel Creek Area
Marshall, North Carolina
14.1 miles SA 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
Hot Springs Resort
Hot Springs, North Carolina
16.0 miles SWA 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
Sliding Rock
Hot Springs, North Carolina
18.3 miles SWA 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
18.3 miles SWSeveral waterfalls with swimming within easy walking distance of each other on the Horsepasture River in the Sapphire area of North Carolina.
Swim
Rocky Bluff
Hot Springs, North Carolina
18.3 miles SWPlay in water in creek, shallow at times.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Rock Creek
Unicoi, Tennessee
18.7 miles EA 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
French Broad
Del Rio, Tennessee
22.0 miles SWSwim near Del Rio, Tennessee
Swim
Laurel Fork
Hampton, Tennessee
33.0 miles ESwim near Hampton, Tennessee
Swim
Mount Mitchell Area
Trinity, North Carolina
33.4 miles SEA 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
Mouse Creek Falls
Waynesville, North Carolina
35.4 miles SWSwim near Waynesville, North Carolina
Swim
Cosby Campground
Cosby, Tennessee
37.5 miles SWCamp and Swim near Cosby, Tennessee
Camp, Swim
Elrod Falls
Thorn Hill, Tennessee
39.6 miles NWSwim near Thorn Hill, Tennessee
Swim
Elk River Falls
Elk Park, North Carolina
40.3 miles ESwim near Elk Park, North Carolina
Swim
Twisted Falls / Compression Falls
Butler, Tennessee
40.6 miles ESwim near Butler, Tennessee
Swim
Blue Hole Mill Creek
Elizabethton, Tennessee
41.2 miles NESwim near Elizabethton, Tennessee
Swim
Blue Hole Jonesville
Jonesville, Virginia
45.5 miles NWCLOSED. This is on private property with no trespassing signs clearly displayed.
Swim 3.8 mi
Ramsey Cascades
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
46.5 miles SWHike, Kayak, Swim, and Whitewater near Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike, Kayak, Swim, Whitewater
Linville Gorge Area
Marion, North Carolina
46.9 miles ELinville 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
North Mills River
Mills River, North Carolina
47.3 miles SA campground in the Cherokee National Forest with creek swimming, fishing for rainbow and brook trout, and kid-favorite tubing — plus 31 picnic tables and educational summer programs nearby.
Swim
