Deep gap Trailhead Parking
Parking lot
4.8 (47)
Appalachian Trl, Franklin, NC 28734
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Named Lake Swimming Access Within A Historical Regional RecordNC
Nantahala Gorge Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Find current swimming support at Almond's Fingerlake Day Use Area, with daylight access, no-alcohol rules and drinking-water preparation. No second stop invented.
Swimming restriction
No alcohol and no presence before sunrise or after sundown. Use authorized shoreline access; no clothing-optional permission or guaranteed depth established.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Named Lake Swimming Access Within A Historical Regional Record
Access
Informal
Fee
No current day-use amount established on the reviewed Fingerlake page; confirm posted fee arrangements rather than assume free entry.
Best season
Listed season April 1 through October 31, dawn to dusk
Nearby towns
Bryson City, Franklin, Robbinsville, Andrews
Water body
Fontana Lake At Fingerlake Day Use Area
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Bryson City, Franklin, Robbinsville, Andrews
Access location not verified
ANDREWS, NC
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
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 . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- 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.
Nantahala Gorge
Only Almond Finger Lake is recoverable from the surviving two-place archive. The Forest Service's Fingerlake Day Use Area matches that lake-and-NC 28 context and explicitly provides swimming access. The regional label is not proof of a second named public swimming stop or permission throughout the Nantahala whitewater gorge.
Use the Forest Service Fingerlake approach
Current directions follow NC 28 toward Almond, with the day-use area on the left about two miles beyond the US 19/74 junction approach. Use the named site's signed parking and shoreline access rather than turning around on a busy highway to recreate an old sighting. The area also serves nonmotorized boating instruction, so keep swimmers clear of launches.
Plan a daylight visit without alcohol
The site's listed season is April 1 through October 31, with dawn-to-dusk operation. Its current area order prohibits alcohol and presence before sunrise or after sundown. The old clothing-optional shoreline anecdote is not permission and should not shape an evening visit.
Bring drinking water and confirm toilet service
The manager lists picnic tables and no potable water. Restroom availability is not established on the current page, so do not promise the old pit toilet. Changing reservoir levels and shoreline shape can alter entry conditions; the historic deep-drop estimate is not a present depth survey.
Check the specific destination before travel
Getting There
Use current Forest Service Fingerlake Day Use Area directions along NC 28 toward Almond and its signed parking. No second regional entrance recovered; no highway-turnaround maneuver or private-shore route endorsed.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Use current Forest Service Fingerlake Day Use Area directions along NC 28 toward Almond and its signed parking. No second regional entrance recovered; no highway-turnaround maneuver or private-shore route endorsed.
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
No alcohol and no presence before sunrise or after sundown. Use authorized shoreline access; no clothing-optional permission or guaranteed depth established. 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.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
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
Little Tennessee River Greenway
Park
4.6 (187)
573 E Main St, Franklin, NC 28734
Picnic tablesPublic restroomSlidesSwings
Rufus Morgan Trail and Falls
Hiking area
4.7 (164)
Unnamed Rd, Franklin, NC 28734
Trailhead for Findley Falls
Hiking area
4.7 (76)
20006 Nantahala Gorge Road, Bryson City, NC 28713
Rose Creek Campground & Cabins
Campground
4.7 (243)
140 Terrace Ridge Dr, Franklin, NC 28734
Mi Mountain Campground and RV Park
Campground
4.6 (120)
151 Mi Mountain Rd, Franklin, NC 28734
Franklin RV Park & Campground
Campground
4.6 (213)
230 Addington Bridge Rd, Franklin, NC 28734
Public Bathroom
Public bathroom
4.8 (4)
95 NE Main St, Franklin, NC 28734
Frequently Asked Questions About Nantahala Gorge Swimming Spots
Which two Nantahala swimming stops are identified?
Only Almond Finger Lake is recoverable in the surviving archive. This review does not invent a second destination from the old two-place label.
Does the manager recognize swimming at Fingerlake?
Yes. The Forest Service explicitly describes swimming access to Fontana Lake at Fingerlake Day Use Area.
Can we stay after sunset or bring alcohol?
No. The current area order prohibits alcohol and being in the area before sunrise or after sundown.
Is Fingerlake listed as open throughout the year?
Its posted season is April 1 through October 31, with dawn-to-dusk hours. Check current restrictions and conditions before visiting.
Are a pit toilet and drinking water guaranteed?
No potable water is provided. The current page does not establish restroom availability, so confirm toilets and plan a backup rather than rely on the old report.
Do the old deep-water and clothing-optional claims still apply?
They are not verified present guidance. Reservoir levels change, and no clothing-optional permission or surveyed depth is established.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving, natural slides and high or rising flow
- A recreation listing or clear appearance is not a water-quality or depth guarantee
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical directions are retained separately; use current manager instructions for travel.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from currently lawful viewpoints; no exact water-entry photograph is approved here.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow current manager routes and fire restrictions, respect private parcels and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Listed season April 1 through October 31, dawn to dusk; obey current notices and reservoir conditions.
Difficulty Level
Confirm the precise current lawful approach and your party's abilities; no surveyed accessible bathing entrance established.
Fee
No current day-use amount established on the reviewed Fingerlake page; confirm posted fee arrangements rather than assume free entry.
Facilities
Picnic tables documented; no potable water. Current restroom or changing-room service not established.
Activities
Forest Service-supported lake swimming, picnicking, fishing and nonmotorized boating at Fingerlake, subject to current restrictions.
Phone
828-524-6441
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
Fingerlake is daylight day use, not an overnight campsite. Arrange a separate authorized campground.
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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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