Blackwell Region Swimming Holes

About the Blackwell Region Swimming Holes

Tucked into the heart of north-central Pennsylvania, the Blackwell Region Swimming Holes offer something increasingly rare: a collection of natural, unhurried places where the water is cold, the forest presses close, and the crowds thin out quickly. Strung along Pine Creek — the wild waterway that carved Pennsylvania's own Grand Canyon — these seven unofficial swimming spots range from shallow, sun-dappled riffles where kids can splash and wade to deeper, rock-rimmed pools that invite a confident leap from the bank. There's no single destination here, but rather a series of discoveries waiting along one of the most scenic creek corridors in the northeastern United States.

The Setting and Landscape

Pine Creek Gorge earns its nickname honestly. Sheer forested ridges rise on either side of the creek, blanketing the canyon walls in hemlock, oak, and maple. In summer, the canopy filters sunlight into shifting green patterns on the water's surface. By fall, those same ridges ignite in amber, crimson, and gold, making the gorge one of Pennsylvania's most photographed landscapes. The small towns of Blackwell, Cedar Run, and Slate Run serve as quiet anchor points along the creek's length — blink-and-you'll-miss-them communities that nonetheless carry a genuine mountain character. The creek itself runs clear over a bed of rounded stones and bedrock shelves, cold even on the hottest July afternoons thanks to the shaded depths of the gorge.

What Swimming Is Like

Because these are natural, unofficial spots, each swimming hole has its own personality. Some offer broad, gravelly shallows where the current slows and warms slightly — perfect for families with small children who want to feel creek stones beneath their feet and watch crayfish dart for cover. Others feature deeper runs with enough depth for swimming laps against a gentle current or floating on your back while hemlocks sway overhead. The water is consistently cool and clear, with the rocky creek bottom visible in most conditions. Tubing is a beloved local tradition on Pine Creek, and canoeists use the same corridor in spring when snowmelt pushes currents higher and faster. Rattlesnake Rock is one of the more accessible stopping points and conveniently offers toilet facilities — a practical detail worth noting before you head downstream. Come prepared with sturdy footwear; the trails connecting these spots involve rocky terrain, and flip-flops will leave you frustrated before you reach the water.

Plan Your Visit

Admission to the swimming holes costs nothing, and the area is open year-round, though swimming is best from late June through early September when water levels are manageable and temperatures are most forgiving. Spring brings rushing currents ideal for canoeing but less hospitable for casual swimming. Fall rewards photographers and foliage-hunters. If you're making a multi-day trip of it, camping options are excellent: Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park sit on the canyon rim to the north and offer some of the most dramatic overlook views in Pennsylvania, while Little Pine State Park to the south provides the most developed facilities and a designated swimming beach on its lake. The nearby towns of Wellsboro and Williamsport offer restaurants, lodging, and supplies for a longer stay. Come with time to wander, a willingness to explore, and a dry change of clothes — you'll almost certainly need that last part.