13 Free Swimming Holes near The Dark Side
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of 9021 Ellis Ln, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553, USA City, Zip, or Address
Falmouth Riverside Park
Falmouth, Virginia
10.4 miles NESwim near Falmouth, Virginia
Swim
Hazel Falls
Rixeyville, Virginia
30.7 miles NWA 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
Rock Mills
Castleton, Virginia
37.9 miles NWCLOSED. 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 5.2 mi
Hazel River Falls
Sperryville, Virginia
41.3 miles NWA 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
Rapidan Rivers
Madison, Virginia
41.4 miles WSwimming holes beneath small waterfalls along the Rapidan River in Shenandoah, accessible on short hikes — protected waters known for trout and catfish fishing.
Swim
Rose River
Syria, Virginia
42.9 miles NWA 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
Old Rag Area
Crewe, Virginia
43.8 miles NWSix 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 2.8 mi
Cedar Run Falls
Oldrag, Virginia
43.8 miles NWSix 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
Whiteoak Canyon
Syria, Virginia
44.3 miles NWA 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 0.3 mi
Big Rock Falls
Syria, Virginia
45.3 miles WA 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
Nicholson Hollow Trail
Morning Star, Virginia
45.8 miles NWAn 8-mile moderately strenuous Shenandoah hike past stream crossings, small cascading waterfalls, shaded forest, and the historic Corbin Cabin — wading is possible in low-flow conditions.
Hike, Swim
Piney River
Sperryville, Virginia
46.3 miles NWMultiple swimming holes along Piney River — including one beneath a small waterfall — reached by following Cumberland Trail through the forest near Sperryville.
Hike, Swim
Riverside Drive Area
Grottoes, Virginia
48.7 miles SSwim near Grottoes, Virginia
Swim
