40 Free Swimming Holes near Franklin, NC 28734
first prev 1 2 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Franklin, NC 28734, USA City, Zip, or Address
Boone Area
Otto, North Carolina
12.4 miles SWSwim near Otto, North Carolina
Swim
Big Laurel Falls
Otto, North Carolina
12.4 miles SWSwim near Otto, North Carolina
Swim
Midnight Hole
Waynesville, North Carolina
15.8 miles NEMidnight Hole is the most beloved swimming hole in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an emerald-green pool of startling clarity sitting at the base of a six-foot waterfall, ringed by house-sized...
Swim
Big Creek
Waynesville, North Carolina
15.8 miles NEBig Creek is a crystalline mountain stream tumbling through the quiet northeastern corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it may be the single best swimming creek in the Smokies. Cold,...
Swim
Fingerlake
Almond, North Carolina
16.2 miles NWAn offshoot of Fontana Lake open April through October, Fingerlake offers gravel-edged swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing surrounded by lush forest — with restrooms and picnic tables on site.
Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Queens Creek Lake
Nantahala, North Carolina
16.7 miles NWA secluded reservoir in the Nantahala mountains with mountain reflections on still water, quality trout fishing, swimming on warm days, and a scenic drive up Winding Stairs Road.
Swim
Cashiers Area
Woodleaf, North Carolina
17.1 miles SESwim near Woodleaf, North Carolina
Swim
Deep Creek Area
Wallace, North Carolina
20.0 miles NSwim near Wallace, North Carolina
Swim
Bear Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
21.1 miles ESeveral remote swimming holes in lakes along Route 281 southeast of Sylva and Cullowhee — bathing suits optional at most spots, given how far off the beaten path they are.
Swim
Big Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
21.1 miles ESeveral remote swimming holes near the TN-NC border in the Big Creek Recreation Area of the Great Smoky Mountains — very secluded, and dogs are not allowed on the trail.
Swim 1.4 mi
Turtleback Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
24.3 miles ETurtleback Falls' dome-shaped slide drops riders 10 feet into the Chug Hole pool, but wait for calm currents — strong flows have swept swimmers downriver over 125-foot Rainbow Falls.
Backpack, Hike, Swim 1.0 mi
Hidden Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
24.6 miles EJust a few steps off the Horsepasture River trail, Hidden Falls drops less than ten feet into an idyllic boulder-rimmed pool — a serene and easy family swimming hole.
Hike, Swim 1.3 mi
Rainbow Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
24.8 miles EA 150-foot spectacular cascade on the Horsepasture River can be admired from front, side, bottom, and top — one showstopper in a 2-mile series of incredible falls.
Hike, Swim
Fires Creek Area
Wake Forest, North Carolina
27.7 miles WSwim near Wake Forest, North Carolina
Swim
Sunburst
Canton, North Carolina
28.0 miles NESunburst is a refreshing mountain getaway along the West Fork of the Pigeon River in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest, tucked into the high, forested country south of Canton and...
Swim
Courthouse Falls
28.2 miles E
A gorgeous 45-foot waterfall streams into a stunning blue-green pool in a greenery-covered cliff cove — just a 3/4-mile easy hike from the parking lot, open year-round.
Hike, Swim 1.8 mi
Flat Laurel Creek
28.5 miles E
A 3.18-mile multi-use trail following Flat Laurel Creek through colorful rock formations and forest, with distant views of Sam Knob and a small waterfall — open year round.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, Swim 0.2-2.8 mi
Graveyard Fields
Brevard, North Carolina
31.6 miles ETwo cascading waterfalls — a swimmable Lower Falls just 1/3 mile from the road, and a more challenging Upper Falls on a 3.5-mile wildflower loop — make this a must-see hike.
Hike, Swim
Skinny Dip Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
32.4 miles EA cascading waterfall with multiple clear pools for wading and swimming, a 6-foot jumping spot, and an easy 3/4-mile forested walk from the Blue Ridge Parkway — swimmers should mind fast water and slippery rocks.
Hike, Swim
Whaleback Swimming Hole
Asheville, North Carolina
32.6 miles EA horseshoe of massive bedrock around a deep, green swimming hole where Cove Creek meets the Davidson River — locals' quiet answer to crowded Sliding Rock.
Swim
