About Hidden
Swimming Holes
Connecting outdoor enthusiasts with America's most beautiful hidden swimming destinations
What This Directory Is
Hidden Swimming Holes is an independent research directory with 730 swimming location listings across 47 US states. Browse rivers, creeks, lakes, springs, and waterfalls, with access notes, facilities information, and nearby places where available.
The directory is a starting point for trip research. Listing completeness and source coverage vary, and an entry does not establish that swimming is currently allowed. Coordinate-quality labels describe the location data separately from access rules or water conditions.
We focus on practical accuracy over marketing language. That means being upfront when a site is unofficial, when fees are unverified, or when conditions are seasonal. Our goal is to give you enough information to decide whether a place is right for your trip — not to oversell it.
What We Offer
Detailed Locations
Pinpoint coordinates where verified, with town-level locations clearly labeled while access details are still being checked.
Essential Details
Available notes on fees, facilities, access, and swimming conditions, with details to confirm before your visit.
Smart Filters
Search by state, water type, fees, and features to find exactly what you're looking for.
How We Research Locations
This is a desk-researched directory. Do not assume that the editor has visited a location unless a page explicitly identifies a firsthand report and its visit date. Existing listings have different levels of documentation; a description alone is not proof of a recent source check.
Official land-manager information is the preferred source for swimming rules, closures, reservations, fees, and permitted access. Where a listing includes a source and check date, use them to understand what was checked and when. A map pin or general page update does not verify every detail on the page.
Read our editorial policy for the meaning of source checks, update dates, and illustrations. Please share a source link when reporting a correction so it can be checked against the listing.
Our Values
Responsible Tourism
We promote Leave No Trace principles and respect for local communities and ecosystems.
Environmental Conservation
We support the preservation of natural water sources and their surrounding environments.
Safety First
We encourage checking official advisories, respecting closures, and choosing conditions within your abilities.
Community Driven
We welcome dated local reports and source links that help identify outdated or incomplete information.
About the Editor
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Hidden Swimming Holes focuses on practical trip research: access rules, fee information, water type, nearby towns, and clear explanations of what still needs confirmation.
Questions about the directory, specific entries, or corrections can be sent to Joshua via the contact page. Please include the listing name, the detail that needs attention, and any supporting source.
What We Don't Claim
Natural swimming holes change. Water levels fluctuate with seasons and rainfall. Access roads wash out. Sites occasionally close due to safety concerns, conservation needs, or changes in land ownership. Always verify current conditions before visiting — check with the managing agency, local ranger station, or a recent trip report.
We don't guarantee water quality at any listed site. Natural bodies of water can be affected by agricultural runoff, algal blooms, and bacterial contamination that varies week to week. Check your state's environmental agency for current swim advisories before swimming in any natural water.
If you find outdated or incorrect information, please contact us. Reports of prohibited swimming, closures, or incorrect access points are especially helpful.
Start Exploring
Browse 730 swimming location listings across 47 states, with filters to help narrow your search.