12 Free Swimming Holes near Rural Retreat Lake
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Rural Retreat Lake near Rural Retreat, Virginia City, Zip, or Address
Dark Horse Hollow
Wytheville, Virginia
9.8 miles NEA secluded sandy beach and easy loop trail in Jefferson National Forest make this a quiet picnic stop — the swimming area is reportedly closed, so wade and sunbathe only.
Swim 
Goshen Pass Area
Max Meadows, Virginia
23.9 miles ESwim near Max Meadows, Virginia
Swim 
Foster Falls
Max Meadows, Virginia
23.9 miles ESwim near Max Meadows, Virginia
Swim 
Falls Of Dismal
Pearisburg, Virginia
31.0 miles NEA waterfall area in the National Forest near Pearisburg with deep swimming under the upper falls and flat sunbathing rocks — secluded and private thanks to forest growth, though locals have left broken glass, so skip the bare feet.
Swim 
Narrows Town Park
Narrows, Virginia
34.0 miles NESwim near Narrows, Virginia
Swim 
Backbone Rock
Shady Valley, Tennessee
34.6 miles SWSwim near Shady Valley, Tennessee
Swim 
Elk Shoals
West Jefferson, North Carolina
35.3 miles SSwim near West Jefferson, North Carolina
Swim 
Cedar Creek Falls
Honaker, Virginia
42.6 miles WAlso known as 'Big Falls' — a sun-warmed swimming hole with a 50-foot-wide pool roughly 10 feet deep at the base of the falls, with a safe jump spot on the eastern end.
Swim 
Camp Creek Area
Cabins, West Virginia
43.3 miles NSwim near Cabins, West Virginia
Swim 
Brush Creek Falls
Athens, West Virginia
43.5 miles NA short waterfall hike in Brush Creek Nature Preserve with a gorgeous mossy backdrop perfect for long-exposure photography — wading possible but no real swimming. The spot draws parties, so expect some litter.
Swim 
Campbell Falls
Camp Creek, West Virginia
45.0 miles NA 15-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide waterfall in Camp Creek State Park, most powerful after rain and most beautiful in spring — large flat rocks make a perfect perch to watch the cascade.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim 
Blacksburg Hole
Newport, Virginia
45.9 miles NEBlacksburg Hole is a beloved local swimming spot on the ancient New River in southwestern Virginia, popular with locals and Virginia Tech students.
Swim
