Blue Hole
Hiking area
0.4 mi
4.8 (508)
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Waterfall And Rocky Creek PoolsTN
Blue Hole - Mill Creek
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Explore Blue Hole Falls near Elizabethton with source-checked stair warnings, route context and reviewed waterfall photos. Swimming access remains unverified.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Confirm current site-specific access with the land manager before entering water. Do not jump or dive; a clear-looking pool does not establish depth, water quality or permission.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Waterfall And Rocky Creek Pools
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Current site-specific fees not confirmed; earlier blanket free-entry claim withdrawn.
Best season
Check road access and weather before travel
Nearby towns
Bristol, Johnson City, Elizabethton
Water body
Mill Creek, Historical Listing Identification
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Bristol, Johnson City, Elizabethton
Access location not verified
36.4362, -82.0767
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Blue Hole - Mill Creek
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Blue Hole Falls near Elizabethton: a waterfall visit with limits
This listing refers to Blue Hole near Holston Mountain, not the similarly named sites in Manchester or Tracy City. Its historical Mill Creek name is retained, while the county tourism profile identifies the destination as Blue Hole Falls.
Prepare for the lower-pool stairs
The local guide describes a short hike from parking and warns of slippery stairs in rainy or icy weather. A short distance is not a promise of an easy, accessible descent. Wear footwear suited to the terrain and turn back when footing is unsafe.
Separate scenery from swimming permission
Our review confirms waterfall-viewing context, not a current swimming authorization or water-quality result. The earlier invitation to jump has been removed. Do not jump, dive or judge depth from photographs; confirm site-specific water access with the land manager.
Check the right route and services
Use the Elizabethton destination and TN-91 approach, then confirm the final parking route locally. The old gas-station landmark, road mileage and gated-road shortcut are not verified navigation. Fees, facilities and on-site camping permission remain unconfirmed. Cherokee forest alerts are a starting point for regional notices, not proof that this exact site is open.
Use the gallery for landscape context
The selected images show a narrow waterfall, rocky stream channel and low cascade. They come from the matched Elizabethton Blue Hole collection, but individual camera positions are not independently verified. Crowded and occupied scenes were not selected; their omission does not mean you should expect solitude.
Getting There
Use the Blue Hole Falls destination near Elizabethton and Holston Mountain, not a similarly named waterfall in Manchester or Tracy City. Carter County Tourism identifies the TN-91 approach; confirm the final parking and road route locally. Earlier Panhandle Road mileage, gas-station landmark, gated-road shortcut and exact step-off instructions remain historical context, not current navigation. Retained coordinates are unverified.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Carter County Tourism identifies a short approach from parking near TN-91 and stairs down to the lower pool. Stairs may be slippery in rain or ice. Our reference pin does not identify verified parking or a lawful swimming entry.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Confirm current site-specific access with the land manager before entering water. Do not jump or dive; a clear-looking pool does not establish depth, water quality or permission. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Camp Stonefly
Campground
13 mi
4.7 (136)
200 Blevins, Johnson City, TN 37601
Gender-neutral restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
JC VISITOR CENTER
Visitor services
17.5 mi
4.3 (3)
302 Buffalo St, Johnson City, TN 37604
Public Parking Lot - Founders Park
Free parking lot
17.8 mi
4.6 (24)
324 S Commerce St, Johnson City, TN 37604
Roan Mountain State Park - Visitor Center
Visitor center
18 mi
4.7 (293)
527 TN-143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687
Restroom
Men’s Bathroom at the Mall at Johnson City
Public male bathroom
18.1 mi
2.6 (5)
2011 N Roan St, Johnson City, TN 37601
Bathroom
Public bathroom
18.9 mi
3207 Peoples St, Johnson City, TN 37604
Rocky Top Campground & RV Park
Campground
20.9 mi
4.3 (418)
496 Pearl Ln, Blountville, TN 37617
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Hole - Mill Creek
Which Blue Hole does this listing describe?
The waterfall destination near Elizabethton and Holston Mountain, identified by Carter County Tourism. It is not the Blue Hole in Manchester or Tracy City.
Is the approach step-free?
No. The tourism profile identifies stairs to the lower pool and warns that they may be slippery in rain or ice. Exact accessibility is not independently verified.
Is swimming permission confirmed?
No. Waterfall identity is supported, but current swimming authorization and a lawful water entry have not been independently established.
Should I jump into the pool?
No. Do not jump or dive, and do not judge depth or submerged hazards from photos. The earlier jumping recommendation has been withdrawn.
Is it free and are there restrooms?
Current fees and facility availability are not confirmed by the sources reviewed. Do not treat the earlier free-entry and no-facilities claims as verified.
Do the photos show today's conditions?
No. They are reviewed historical collection images, not live water, weather or access reports.
Highlights
Elizabethton destination clarified
Lower-pool stair warning
Reviewed waterfall gallery
Unverified swimming clearly labeled
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not jump, dive or climb wet waterfall rocks
- Do not use photographs to judge depth or current
- Turn back if footing or access is unsafe, and confirm swimming permission before any water entry
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
This review does not establish the earlier listing's specific settlement, wildlife or geological-origin claims.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Narrow waterfall, rock-lined stream channel and low cascade in the matched Blue Hole collection. Camera positions are not independently geolocated; photos do not establish present access or water conditions.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Stay on authorized paths, obey signs, leave rocks and vegetation in place and pack out litter.
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Use this safety guide before entering any natural water.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check road access and weather before travel; avoid planning a descent when stairs are wet or icy. Earlier promises of no crowds and warm, stable summer swimming conditions are not supported.
Difficulty Level
Short does not mean step-free: the lower-pool approach has stairs that can be slippery in rain or ice. Exact accessibility and return effort are not independently rated.
Fee
Current site-specific fees not confirmed; earlier blanket free-entry claim withdrawn.
Facilities
Tourism confirms a parking-area approach and stairs to the lower pool, not a staffed beach or a current facility inventory. Do not infer accessibility from the short hike description.
Activities
Waterfall viewing and hiking where access is authorized. Swimming and jumping are not recommended by this listing while permission remains unverified.
Phone
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No on-site camping permission established. Arrange authorized overnight accommodation separately rather than camping beside the falls.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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