21 Free Swimming Holes near Johnson City, TN
first prev 1 2 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Johnson City, TN, USA City, Zip, or Address
Rock Creek
Unicoi, Tennessee
12.2 miles SA man-made concrete-bottom stream-fed pool with a sandy beach and short waterfall makes Rock Creek a refreshing — if chilly in June — summer splash near Unicoi.
Swim
Laurel Fork
Hampton, Tennessee
12.5 miles ESwim near Hampton, Tennessee
Swim
Blue Hole Mill Creek
Elizabethton, Tennessee
17.6 miles NESwim near Elizabethton, Tennessee
Swim
Twisted Falls / Compression Falls
Butler, Tennessee
21.8 miles ETwisting Falls (Compression Falls) is a dramatic Elk River gorge waterfall in northeast Tennessee — stunning, but one of the region's deadliest jump spots.
Swim
Horse Creek Campground
Chuckey, Tennessee
22.1 miles SWA Cherokee National Forest campground beside Horse Creek with fifteen sites, picnic tables, fishing for rainbow and brook trout, creek swimming, and 31 day-use picnic tables — $10/night camping fee.
Camp, Swim
Elk River Falls
Elk Park, North Carolina
22.5 miles ESwim near Elk Park, North Carolina
Swim
Old Forge Campground
Bethany, Tennessee
23.9 miles SWPrimitive walk-in camping on scenic Jennings Creek in the Cherokee National Forest, with small waterfalls, swimming holes, and hiking trails right from camp — bring your own water.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Backbone Rock
Shady Valley, Tennessee
35.7 miles NESwim near Shady Valley, Tennessee
Swim
Mount Mitchell Area
Trinity, North Carolina
36.1 miles SA family swimming area on the South Toe River near Mount Mitchell in the Pisgah National Forest campgrounds — note that the site is closed seasonally and fees apply.
Camp, Swim
Big Laurel Creek Area
Marshall, North Carolina
36.8 miles SWA family-friendly hike along Big Laurel Creek to multiple swimming holes — and a classic Class III–IV whitewater run for paddlers making the transition to creek boating.
Hike, Kayak, Swim, Whitewater 6.6 mi
Devil's Bathtub
Duffield, Virginia
38.2 miles NWA 7.2-mile rocky loop through Devil's Fork's extremely cold crystal-clear swimming holes, culminating in the famous Devil's Bathtub — a deep waterfall pool beneath steep rippled cliffs.
Hike, Swim
Linville Gorge Area
Marion, North Carolina
38.8 miles SELinville Gorge's deep swimming holes reward serious adventurers who navigate rough roads and steep trails — but the gorge is easy to get lost in, so go prepared.
Swim
Little Stony Falls Area
Dungannon, Virginia
39.0 miles NA large pool beneath a 25-foot waterfall, framed by sunning rocks, makes Little Stony Falls a relaxed and likely clothing-optional destination in the Virginia mountains.
Swim
Wilson Creek Area
Collettsville, North Carolina
39.2 miles SENumerous waterfalls and swimming holes tucked throughout the Wilson Creek area — most require short or longer hikes to find, but all are gems worth the effort in the Pisgah National Forest.
Swim
Hot Springs Resort
Hot Springs, North Carolina
39.4 miles SWA privately operated outdoor resort with natural hot mineral water in private hot tubs — popular with visitors who split the cost, with mineral-rich water that relaxes and rejuvenates.
Swim
Sapphire Area
Hot Springs, North Carolina
41.6 miles SWSeveral waterfalls with swimming within easy walking distance of each other on the Horsepasture River in the Sapphire area of North Carolina.
Swim
Sliding Rock
Hot Springs, North Carolina
41.6 miles SWA 60-foot natural rock waterslide into an 8-foot-deep, 50-to-60-degree pool — lifeguard on duty Memorial Day to Labor Day, with a $5 entry fee per person.
Swim
Rocky Bluff
Hot Springs, North Carolina
41.7 miles SWRocky Bluff is a tranquil mountain getaway in the Pisgah National Forest near Hot Springs, North Carolina, where a wooded campground sits beside the lovely Spring Creek just a few miles south of...
Camp, Hike, Swim
French Broad
Del Rio, Tennessee
45.9 miles SWSwim near Del Rio, Tennessee
Swim
Blue Hole Jonesville
Jonesville, Virginia
46.8 miles NWCLOSED. This is on private property with no trespassing signs clearly displayed.
Swim
