30 Free Swimming Holes near Grottoes, VA 24441
first prev 1 2 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Grottoes, VA 24441, USA City, Zip, or Address
Rip Rap Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
7.0 miles SEA 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 15.7 mi
Sugar Hollow
Crozet, Virginia
9.7 miles SEAn 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
Mint Springs Valley Park
Crozet, Virginia
13.8 miles STwo 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
Natural Chimneys
Mount Solon, Virginia
15.4 miles NWTowering 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
Fridley Gap
Keezletown, Virginia
17.1 miles NA 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
Charlottesville Area
Williamsville, Virginia
17.1 miles SETwo swimming spots north of Charlottesville, Virginia — a fee applies, so check details before heading out.
Swim
Stokesville Campground
Madison, Virginia
18.6 miles WSwim near Madison, Virginia
Swim
North River Gap
Mount Solon, Virginia
19.2 miles WA 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
Pauls Creek
Nellysford, Virginia
24.0 miles SA 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 0.3 mi
Big Rock Falls
Syria, Virginia
26.8 miles NEA 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
Rapidan Rivers
Madison, Virginia
27.5 miles NESwimming holes beneath small waterfalls along the Rapidan River in Shenandoah, accessible on short hikes — protected waters known for trout and catfish fishing.
Swim
St. Mary's Falls
Raphine, Virginia
27.7 miles SWBlue-green water and unique low rock formations set the scene at this cascading waterfall swimming hole in St. Mary's Wilderness — a 4.4-mile out-and-back hike through George Washington National Forest.
Hike, Swim
Campbell Creek
Tyro, Virginia
28.8 miles SA 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
Rose River
Syria, Virginia
30.2 miles NEA 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
31.2 miles NESix 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
31.2 miles NESix 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
32.3 miles NEA 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
Blue Hole Bergton
Bergton, Virginia
34.3 miles NA scenic day-use picnic area on a river in Rockingham County — flooding and erosion have made it shallower over time, best now for wading and enjoying the forest and rock surroundings.
Swim
Big Marys Creek Slide
Vesuvius, Virginia
34.3 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
Nicholson Hollow Trail
Morning Star, Virginia
34.7 miles NEAn 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
