Big Laurel Creek Swimming Spots in Western North Carolina

About Big Laurel Creek Swimming Spots

Tucked into the folds of the southern Appalachians in Western North Carolina, Big Laurel Creek is the kind of place that feels like a secret even after you've found it. Accessible via a gentle hike along an old roadbed — roughly 2.5 miles one way — this unofficial, undeveloped destination rewards those willing to put in a little effort with something genuinely rare: three distinct natural swimming holes, a rope swing, and the kind of quiet that reminds you the world is still mostly wild. No lifeguards, no concession stands, no crowds. Just cold mountain water tumbling through a lush Appalachian corridor of hemlock, laurel, and towering hardwoods.

The Setting and Landscape

The trail hugs the creek through a forest that feels almost primeval. In summer, the canopy closes overhead in a cathedral arch of green, filtering the light into shifting patches of gold on the water's surface. The air smells of damp moss and creek stone. Rhododendron and mountain laurel crowd the banks, their waxy leaves brushing your shoulders in the narrower stretches. The hike itself carries a moderate rating — the grade is gentle enough for most fit hikers, but the terrain is uneven underfoot, so sturdy shoes are a must. Wildlife is present and unhurried here; you may spot salamanders in the shallows, or hear the call of a wood thrush echoing through the hollow. The area also carries a thread of local folklore — stories of the creek's healing properties have been passed down through generations in the mountain communities nearby, lending the place a quiet, almost reverent atmosphere.

Swimming the Creek

Big Laurel Creek delivers three separate swimming spots, each with its own personality. The water is clear and cold in the way that only mountain creeks can be — the kind of cold that makes you gasp on entry and feel genuinely alive once you've adjusted. The second swimming hole is the showpiece, featuring a rope swing that dangles invitingly over a deep pool. You climb, grip, swing, and release — and for a moment you're briefly airborne over a pool of crystalline Appalachian water. The surrounding walls of stone and the canopy overhead make it feel like a scene from another century. The other two holes offer calmer entry points, ideal for floating, wading, or simply sitting on a streamside boulder and letting the sound of moving water reset your nervous system. Because the site is unofficial and undeveloped, there are no facilities of any kind — no restrooms, no trash cans, no changing areas. Pack in everything you need and pack out everything you bring.

Plan Your Visit

Summer months from June through August offer the warmest water and the best conditions for swimming, while late September and October transform the surrounding forest into a blaze of amber and crimson — worth the hike even if the water is too cold to swim. The site is free to access. If you're looking to make a longer trip of it, camping is available east of the creek at Carolina Hemlock, which also features excellent family-friendly swimming. The nearest towns for supplies, food, and lodging are Hot Springs — the closest, just down the road — along with Asheville to the south and Johnson City, Tennessee, to the north. Plan accordingly, arrive prepared, and leave no trace behind.