Whaleback Swimming Hole
Asheville, North Carolina
| Address: | National Forest 475 Rd, Brevard, NC, USA |
| GPS: |
35°16'55.0"N 82°49'0.1"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | North Carolina |
Waterfalls
Swim
Most people in this neck of the woods will head straight to Sliding Rock or Looking Glass Falls, but the locals go to Whaleback on the Davidson River above the fish hatchery. A massive slab of bedrock forms a horseshoe around a deep swimming hole. A small cascade tumbles into the green pool, which is surrounded by a lush hardwood forest. The pool—20 feet wide and twice as long—marks the spot where Cove Creek meets the Davidson River. Crowds are nonexistent during the week and minimal on weekends. Courtesy of blueridgeoutdoors.com
More Information
Swimmers’ Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway -
For 469 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway follows the ridgeline of the Southern Appalachians, connecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina with Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Along that stretch of two-lane blacktop are countless trails and backroads -- some of which lead to ice-cold swimming holes.
https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/hiking/swimmers-guide-blue-ridge-parkway/swimmingholes.org North Carolina Swimming Holes and Hot Springs rivers creek springs falls hiking ca
THE web site for beautiful, natural places for a cool dip or hot soak.
https://www.swimmingholes.org/nc.html
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Asheville, North Carolina
- Head east on S Pack Square (154 ft)
- Turn left toward Broadway St/
N Pack Square (289 ft) - Turn right onto Broadway St/
N Pack Square Continue to follow Broadway St(0.3 mi) - Turn right to merge onto I-240 W/
US-70 W toward US 74 Alternante Continue to follow I-240 W(1.7 mi) - Keep right at the fork to continue on I-26 E (12.6 mi)
- Take the exit toward NC-280 W/
Airport Rd (436 ft) - Continue onto Exit 40 (signs for Arden/
North Carolina 280/ Asheville Reg'l Arpt) (0.2 mi) - Keep right at the fork, follow signs for WNC Agriculture Ctr/
Airport and merge onto NC-280 W/ Airport Rd Continue to follow NC-280 WPass by Taco Bell (on the right in 15.9 mi)(16.0 mi) - Turn right onto US-276 N (5.3 mi)
- Slight left onto Fish Hatchery Rd/
National Forest 475 Rd (1.5 mi) - Turn left onto N Davidson River Rd/
National Forest 475 Rd Destination will be on the left(1.5 mi)
Added by camilledupar
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Cove Creek Tubs
Brevard, North Carolina
0.3 miles NThree perfectly rounded pot holes — the Pisgah Forest's finest — stack up to 12 feet deep in sun-drenched pools that are best described as nature's own jacuzzi collection.
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Daniel Ridge Falls
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Looking Glass Falls
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Looking Glass Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
2.9 miles EA cascading 60-foot waterfall over mossy stone with a wading pool below — just a short, beautiful walk from Pisgah Highway in Brevard, stunning in any season.
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Coontree Recreation Area
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2.9 miles EA scenic picnic area on the Davidson River with direct access to calm, deep water for swimming and fishing — plus the 3.7-mile Coontree Loop Trail through Pisgah National Forest.
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Skinny Dip Falls
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Graveyard Fields
Brevard, North Carolina
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Hike, Swim
Courthouse Falls
4.4 miles W
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
Davidson River Campground
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5.3 miles EA 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.
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Big East Fork
Canton, North Carolina
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Backpack, Hike, Kayak, Swim 1.8 mi
Flat Laurel Creek
6.1 miles NW
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Sunburst
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Turtleback Falls
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Rainbow Falls
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Hidden Falls
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Hike, Swim
Big Creek
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17.3 miles WBig 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,...
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Davidson River Campground
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Mt. LeConte Lodge
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Rocky Bluff
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War Woman Dell Wildlife Management Area
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Mount Mitchell Area
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