12 Free Swimming Holes near Purple Mountain Trail
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of 85PFJ4WV+MW City, Zip, or Address
Firehole River
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
2.0 miles SA thermally warmed Yellowstone river with a calm swim area that is beautiful and historic for anglers — but stay strictly out of the main current, which has been fatal. Check with a ranger before entering.
Hot Springs, Swim
Boiling River
North Entrance, Yellowstone National Park
25.2 miles NWhere a hot spring pours into the Gardner River in Yellowstone, warm soaking awaits — but never enter the scalding upstream runoff channel, which reaches 113–140°F. Check with a ranger first.
Hot Springs, Swim 0.9 mi
Buffalo River Campground
Island Park, Idaho
29.3 miles SWAn easy, clear, and often warm float on the Buffalo River near Island Park, with slow enough current to paddle back upstream in a canoe or kayak after your run.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Hellroaring Creek Trail
Yellowstone National Park
29.3 miles NEA suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River leads to sandy creek-side beaches and a mild backcountry trail past Yellowstone's largest granite slab — great for all ages.
Camp, Hike, Swim 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
32.2 miles SWA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
35.7 miles SA lily-pad-dotted lake hidden in the Targhee National Forest with a gradual beach entry perfect for wading, a floating dock for jumping, and no motorized boats.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Swim 15.9-16.6 mi
Union Falls & Ouzel Pool
Bechler Ranger Station, Yellowstone National Park
36.4 miles SA ~16-mile backcountry trek into Yellowstone's remote Bechler region rewards you with a 250-foot waterfall and Ouzel Pool — a warm-spring-fed swimming hole you can jump into.
Backpack, Hike, Hot Springs, Swim
Wade Lake
Cameron, Montana
36.6 miles WWade Lake is a hidden gem of southwestern Montana — a spring-fed mountain lake famous for its glassy, aquamarine water, tucked into a forested ravine at the southern end of the Gravelly Range....
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
37.2 miles SLoon Lake is a small, lively mountain lake tucked into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest just off Ashton's Fish Creek Road, in the timbered high country of eastern Idaho near the gateway to...
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Porcupine Creek
Ashton, Idaho
42.7 miles SWA backcountry hunting, fishing, camping, and swimming spot in Targhee National Forest, surrounded by forests, meadows, a creek, and unmarked trails — bear country, so pack and store food carefully.
Camp, Swim
Ousel Falls
Gallatin Gateway, Montana
47.4 miles NWA 1.7-mile out-and-back trail near Big Sky, Montana, leading through forest to a beautiful waterfall — accessible from May through October for a rewarding short hike.
Hike, Rock Climb, Swim 4.8 mi
Aldous Lake and Hancock Lake
Kilgore, Idaho
49.6 miles WTwin alpine lakes — Aldous and Hancock — on a scenic 1.5-to-2.5-mile hike near Kilgore, with beautiful mountain scenery and heavier weekend crowds.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Horseback, Swim
