Bemis Area

About the Bemis Area Swimming Holes on Shavers Fork

Deep in the folds of West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, the Bemis Area along Shavers Fork offers two of the region's most rewarding — and least crowded — natural swimming destinations. These are unofficial spots, raw and unhurried, where the river does what rivers have always done: carve stone, pool clear water, and invite the willing to wade in. No lifeguards, no concession stands, no crowds. Just you, the current, and the sound of water finding its way through ancient Appalachian forest.

The Setting and Landscape

Shavers Fork winds through a landscape shaped as much by logging and railroad history as by geology. The ghost of the old timber economy lingers here — in the quiet rail corridors, in the names of hollows, in the way the forest has grown back thick and green over old wounds. High Falls is the showpiece: a dramatic cascade that drops into a deep, swimmable pool framed by hemlocks and hardwoods. Mule Hollow is the secret — a secluded bend with a hidden overhang rock that shelters a quieter swimming spot, tucked away from even the most determined day-trippers. Both sites reward patience and a willingness to earn your swim.

What Swimming Here Feels Like

The water in Shavers Fork runs cold and clear, fed by mountain headwaters that don't warm quickly even in July. In spring, the cascades at High Falls thunder with snowmelt and runoff, filling the pool with frothy, energizing current — not for the faint of heart, but spectacular to witness. By summer, the flow mellows and the water temperature becomes genuinely refreshing rather than shocking, offering the kind of deep, clean dip that makes a long hike feel like the best decision you made all week. Autumn strips the trees and layers the banks in gold and crimson, making the pools feel almost meditative — fewer swimmers, more stillness, more light. The depth of the pool at High Falls makes it suitable for jumping, though as an unofficial site, you swim entirely at your own discretion and risk.

Practical Visit Information

Getting here requires effort, and that's part of the appeal. Reaching High Falls involves a 5 to 6 mile hike — or, uniquely, train access, a nod to the area's railroad heritage that makes this one of the more unusual swimming hole approaches anywhere in the eastern United States. Mule Hollow involves steep, unmarked trails and travel along railroad tracks, so sturdy footwear and good navigation skills are essential. There are no facilities at either location — pack everything in and pack everything out. Entry is free. For camping, you'll find National Forest campgrounds at Laurel Fork Recreation Area to the east and Stuart Recreation Area to the north, both solid bases for a multi-day exploration of the region.

Plan Your Visit

The Bemis Area is best approached from the nearby towns of Elkins, Glady, or Bemis itself. Elkins, the largest of the three, offers lodging, restaurants, and gear resupply before you head into the forest. Whether you're chasing the roar of spring cascades, the lazy warmth of a summer afternoon pool, or the quiet gold of a fall day on Shavers Fork, the Bemis Area rewards those willing to leave the pavement behind.