Wilson Creek Area
Collettsville, North Carolina
| GPS: |
35°56'49.2"N 81°49'8.4"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | North Carolina |
Swim
A new edition of the guide book to this area, "DISCOVERING NORTH CAROLINA'S WILSON CREEK AREA" is now available! Great swimming hole coverage! I have a copy and use it for directions on this web site. Buy it at Create Space or Amazon Courtesy of swimmingholes.org
Bathing suits: Some remote places may be optional
More Information
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 Collettsville, North Carolina
- Head south on Adako Rd toward Collett Ridge Cir (3.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Brown Mountain Beach Rd (4.6 mi)
- Turn left onto Craig Creek Rd (2.8 mi)
- Turn right onto National Forest Rd (2.4 mi)
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Linville Gorge Area
Marion, North Carolina
4.5 miles SWLinville 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
Elk River Falls
Elk Park, North Carolina
19.7 miles NWSwim near Elk Park, North Carolina
Swim
Twisted Falls / Compression Falls
Butler, Tennessee
21.5 miles NWTwisting Falls (Compression Falls) is a dramatic Elk River gorge waterfall in northeast Tennessee — stunning, but one of the region's deadliest jump spots.
Swim
Mount Mitchell Area
Trinity, North Carolina
23.7 miles SWA 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
Stone Mountain State Park
Connelly Springs, North Carolina
26.3 miles SSwim near Connelly Springs, North Carolina
Swim
Laurel Fork
Hampton, Tennessee
28.6 miles NWSwim near Hampton, Tennessee
Swim
Rock Creek
Unicoi, Tennessee
32.5 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
Elk Shoals
West Jefferson, North Carolina
36.1 miles NESwim near West Jefferson, North Carolina
Swim
Blue Hole Mill Creek
Elizabethton, Tennessee
36.7 miles NWSwim near Elizabethton, Tennessee
Swim 0.8 mi
Hickory Nut Falls
Chimney Rock, North Carolina
42.6 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
Backbone Rock
Shady Valley, Tennessee
44.7 miles NSwim near Shady Valley, Tennessee
Swim
Horse Creek Campground
Chuckey, Tennessee
48.1 miles WA 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
49.3 miles WPrimitive 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, SwimNearby Campsites
Mount Mitchell Area
Trinity, North Carolina
23.7 miles SWA 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
Horse Creek Campground
Chuckey, Tennessee
48.1 miles WA 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
49.3 miles WPrimitive 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
