19 Free Swimming Holes near Marion, NC 28752
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Marion, NC 28752, USA City, Zip, or Address
Mount Mitchell Area
Trinity, North Carolina
13.7 miles NWA 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
Linville Gorge Area
Marion, North Carolina
16.8 miles NELinville 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
Wilson Creek Area
Collettsville, North Carolina
21.1 miles NENumerous 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
Stone Mountain State Park
Connelly Springs, North Carolina
21.5 miles ESwim near Connelly Springs, North Carolina
Swim 0.8 mi
Hickory Nut Falls
Chimney Rock, North Carolina
21.6 miles SWA waterfall inside Chimney Rock State Park operated as a private concession — admission fee applies; see the park website for current pricing and details.
Hike, Swim
Elk River Falls
Elk Park, North Carolina
36.0 miles NSwim near Elk Park, North Carolina
Swim
Rock Creek
Unicoi, Tennessee
36.7 miles NWA 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
Twisted Falls / Compression Falls
Butler, Tennessee
37.8 miles NTwisting Falls (Compression Falls) is a dramatic Elk River gorge waterfall in northeast Tennessee — stunning, but one of the region's deadliest jump spots.
Swim
North Mills River
Mills River, North Carolina
40.7 miles SWA campground in the Cherokee National Forest with creek swimming, fishing for rainbow and brook trout, and kid-favorite tubing — plus 31 picnic tables and educational summer programs nearby.
Swim
Laurel Fork
Hampton, Tennessee
41.3 miles NSwim near Hampton, Tennessee
Swim
Big Laurel Creek Area
Marshall, North Carolina
45.2 miles WA 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
Horse Creek Campground
Chuckey, Tennessee
46.5 miles NWA 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
Old Forge Campground
Bethany, Tennessee
47.0 miles NWPrimitive 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
Dupont State Park
Wallace, North Carolina
47.9 miles SWSwim near Wallace, North Carolina
Swim
Hot Springs Resort
Hot Springs, North Carolina
48.0 miles WA 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
48.3 miles WSeveral 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
48.3 miles WA 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
48.5 miles WRocky 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
Davidson River Campground
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
48.9 miles SWA year-round campground in Pisgah National Forest just four miles from Brevard and less than an hour from Asheville, with shaded loops, hiking trails, waterfalls, and fishing spots nearby.
Camp, Hike, Swim
