22 Free Swimming Holes near St. Mary's Falls
first prev 1 2 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Unnamed Road, Raphine, VA 24472, USA City, Zip, or Address
Campbell Creek
Tyro, Virginia
6.5 miles SEA 6-mile Appalachian Trail stretch with good elevation rewards remote explorers with a creek pool at the base of a waterfall — optional swimwear in this backcountry spot.
Swim
Big Marys Creek Slide
Vesuvius, Virginia
7.1 miles SWA natural waterslide that launches you into a swimming hole below, with waterfalls and cool water in the Virginia hills — wear swimwear and foot protection, and check depth first.
Swim
Pauls Creek
Nellysford, Virginia
12.7 miles EA quick 1.2-mile hike along Paul's Creek leads to a cascading waterfall and a natural water slide — stones smoothed by the water let visitors slide right into the swimming hole below.
Hike, Swim
Panther Falls
Amherst, Virginia
18.6 miles SWSwim near Amherst, Virginia
Swim
Ben Salem Wayside
Lexington, Virginia
20.2 miles SWSwim near Lexington, Virginia
Swim
Mint Springs Valley Park
Crozet, Virginia
22.6 miles NETwo small lakes with sandy beaches, miles of forested hiking and mountain biking trails, a sand volleyball pit, and a playground — all in an eight-acre valley park near Crozet, Virginia.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim 15.7 mi
Sugar Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
23.7 miles NEAn 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 6.1 mi
Rip Rap Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
24.9 miles NEA 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
Matts Creek Area
Clifton Forge, Virginia
27.9 miles SWSwimming holes near an Appalachian Trail shelter close to the James River — a 2.5-mile hike each way; holes may be shallow late in summer, suits possibly optional depending on solitude.
Swim
Stokesville Campground
Madison, Virginia
29.4 miles NSwim near Madison, Virginia
Swim
Natural Chimneys
Mount Solon, Virginia
29.6 miles NTowering vertical limestone formations draped in trees and vines, with shallow river swimming holes, 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a well-equipped 135-site campground.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
North River Gap
Mount Solon, Virginia
29.9 miles NA free recreation area with an easy 2.4-mile river gorge hike through lush forest, a wading and swimming spot in the North River, and primitive campsites for $5 a night.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Cowpasture River Area
Millboro, Virginia
31.7 miles WSwim near Millboro, Virginia
Swim
Arnold Valley Pool
Natural Bridge Station, Virginia
32.7 miles SWArnold Valley Pool is a secluded Blue Ridge swimming hole near Natural Bridge Station, VA, with a 12-foot pool, natural slide, and rope swing.
Swim
Charlottesville Area
Williamsville, Virginia
32.9 miles NETwo swimming spots north of Charlottesville, Virginia — a fee applies, so check details before heading out.
Swim
Longdale
Clifton Forge, Virginia
34.3 miles WSwim near Clifton Forge, Virginia
Swim
Jefferson Pools
Warm Springs, Virginia
38.0 miles WNatural hot springs bubble up at 96–98°F through the rock floor of centuries-old wooden bathhouses, with segregated men's and women's pools and optional bathing suits.
Swim
North Creek Area
Mount Solon, Virginia
38.8 miles SWSeveral swimming holes tucked into Jefferson National Forest offer very private dips, with some naturally secluded spots near I-81 and others openly exposed at Jennings Creek.
Swim
Blowing Springs
Warm Springs, Virginia
43.9 miles WSwim near Warm Springs, Virginia
Swim
Fridley Gap
Keezletown, Virginia
44.5 miles NEA 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
