AL
Free
Nicol Park
Tuscaloosa
Lake Nicol at Nicol Park is a free swimming hole on Lake Tuscaloosa near Tuscaloosa and Northport, AL. Get directions and what to expect at this lake spot.
Lake Nicol/Lake Tuscaloosa
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Lake Swimming Holes
Lake Swimming Holes
52 locations across 27 states
Enjoy calm, expansive waters perfect for leisurely swimming, floating, and family activities in serene settings.
52
Swimming Holes
27
States
20
Free Access
32
Fee Required
Why Choose Lake Swimming?
Calm waters
Family-friendly
Spacious swimming areas
Beautiful lake views
In This Guide
52 lake locations found
AZ
Fee
Clear Creek
Flagstaff
Plan a visit to Clear Creek swimming hole near Winslow, AZ. Find directions via McHood Park, safety tips for swimming and jumping, and essential visitor info.
Clear Creek
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AZ
Fee
Roper Lake
Tucson
Visit Roper Lake State Park for hot tubbing, swimming, and camping. Find directions, fees, and safety tips for this Arizona hot springs destination.
Varies
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AR
Fee
Dam Site
Little Rock
Visit Dam Site Recreation Area on Greers Ferry Lake for swimming and unofficial jumping. Find directions, access notes, and essential safety tips for your visit.
Greers Ferry Laken
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CA
Free
Bass Lake
San Francisco
Plan a hike to Bass Lake near Bolinas, CA. Find trail directions, safety tips for swimming and the rope swing, and essential visitor information.
Bass Lake
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CA
Fee
Cull Canyon
San Leandro
A guide to Cull Canyon Lake in the East Bay. Learn about swimming, facilities, fees, directions, and safety tips for a day trip.
Cull Creek
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CO
Free
Curecanti National Recreation Area Swimming Spots
Montrose
Guide to unofficial swimming at Blue Mesa Reservoir's Bay of Chickens in Curecanti, CO. Find directions, safety tips, and essential access notes.
Gunnison River/Blue Mesa Reservoir
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CT
Fee
Lake Mashapaug
Stafford Springs
A guide to swimming at Lake Mashapaug in CT's Bigelow Hollow State Park. Find directions, trail info to Rock Island, and essential safety tips.
Lake Mashapaug
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CT
Free
Miller Pond
Middletown
Plan your visit to Miller Pond in CT. Get driving directions, parking tips, and safety advice for this scenic swimming spot in Middletown and Durham.
Miller Pond State Park
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DE
Free
Lake Como
Dover
Visit Lake Como in Smyrna, DE for a public swimming lake with a beach and picnic facilities. Find directions, access notes, and visitor tips.
Lake Como
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FL
Fee
Larry and Penny Thompson Park
Miami
Visit Larry and Penny Thompson Park in Miami for swimming, boating, and picnics. Find directions, facilities, and safety tips for a family-friendly outing.
Unknown
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IN
Free
Speed Lake
Terra Haute
A guide to Speed Lake in Terre Haute, IN. Find directions, swimming info, and safety tips for this campus lake with a rope swing.
Speed Lake
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KS
Fee
Scott State Park
Hays
Plan your visit to Scott State Park in KS. Discover Lake Scott for swimming and canoeing, with facilities and hiking trails near Hays and Garden City.
Lake Scott
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KY
Fee
Clifty Creek
Lexington
Find directions and safety tips for the unofficial Clifty Creek swimming hole on Lake Cumberland, KY. No fees or facilities. Jumping and swimming at your own risk.
Lake Cumberland
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KY
Fee
Pickle Fork
Ashland
Find directions and safety tips for the unofficial Pickle Fork swimming hole on Paintsville Lake, KY. No facilities. Swim and jump at your own risk.
Paintsville Lake
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MD
Fee
Cascade Lake
Westminster
Plan your visit to Cascade Lake near Westminster, MD. Details on swimming, fishing, water slide, petting zoo, fees, and directions for a family-friendly day trip.
Unknown
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MD
Fee
Loch Raven
Baltimore
A guide to the unofficial Loch Raven swimming area near Baltimore, MD. Includes directions, trail info, safety tips, and important regulations.
Loch Raven Reservoir
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MA
Fee
Punchbowl
Falmouth
Find the unofficial Punchbowl swimming hole in Falmouth, MA. Details on access, the rope swing, trail directions, and safety tips for a fun visit.
Punchbowl Lake
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MI
Fee
Pickerel Lake
Ann Arbor
Lake swimming hole in Pinckney State Recreation Area near Ann Arbor, MI. Parking or day-use fee may apply. Get directions to this swimming hole.
Pickerel Lake
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MI
Fee
Pictured Rocks
Sault Ste. Marie
Plan your visit to Miners Beach at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Get directions, safety tips, and info for swimming in Lake Superior near Munising, MI.
Lake Superior
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MS
Fee
Presleys Outing
Mobile
Visit Presley's Outing in Mississippi for swimming, tubing, and paddling on Goodes Mill Lake and Franklin Creek. Day-use fee. Directions from Mobile.
Goodes Mill Lake, Franklin Creek, Escatawpa River
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MT
Fee
Glacier National Park Swimming Spots
Missoula
Find scenic but cold swimming spots along Lake McDonald & McDonald Creek in Glacier NP. Tips for access, safety, and planning your visit.
Lake Mcdonald, Mcdonald Creek
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NJ
Free
Farrington Lake
New Brunswick
Lake swimming hole with a rope swing near New Brunswick and Milltown, NJ. Free to access, unofficial spot with directions to find the rope swing.
Farrington Lake
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NJ
Free
Surprise Lake
Greenwood Lake (NY)
A guide to hiking to Surprise Lake in NJ. Find directions, trail difficulty, parking info, and safety tips for this secluded lake near Greenwood Lake.
Surprise Lake
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NY
Free
Lake Luzerne Hudson River Swimming Spots
Glens Falls
Guide to unofficial swimming spots on the Hudson River near Lake Luzerne, NY. Find directions, safety tips, and access notes for the Spier Falls area.
Hudson River
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NY
Fee
Point Au Roche State Park
Plattsburg
Find a secluded bay for swimming at Point Au Roche State Park near Plattsburgh, NY. Trail directions, access notes, and safety tips for Lake Champlain.
Lake Champlain
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NY
Fee
Saranac Lakes Adirondack Swimming Destinations
Saranac Lake
Find unofficial swimming and boating spots on the Saranac Lakes in NY's Adirondacks. No fees or facilities. Tips for safe, respectful access.
Varies-See Below
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NY
Fee
Skaneateles
Syracuse
Plan your visit to the Skaneateles swimming area at Clift Park. Find directions, parking info, and safety tips for this Finger Lakes destination.
Skaneateles Lake
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NY
Free
Trout Lake
Lake George
Find directions & tips for Trout Lake, an unofficial freshwater swimming spot near Bolton Landing, NY. No fees or facilities. Plan your visit.
Trout Lake
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NC
Free
Bear Creek and Wolf Creek Lakes Swimming Spots
Sylva
Find directions & tips for secluded swimming at Bear Creek Lake and Wolf Creek Lake in North Carolina. Know before you go to these unofficial spots.
Bear Creek Lake, Wolf Creek Lake
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NC
Fee
White Lake
Fayetteville
White Lake is a managed swimming area near Fayetteville and Lumberton, NC. Fee to park, with directions, facilities, and a spring season to plan around.
White Lake
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OH
Free
Alum Creek Reservoir
Columbus
A guide to swimming at Alum Creek Reservoir in Ohio. Learn about access, safety, and directions to this unofficial swimming spot.
Alum Creek Reservoir
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OH
Fee
Punderson State Park
Cleveland
Visit the official lake swimming area at Punderson State Park in Ohio. Find directions, access notes, and safety tips for a family-friendly water play day.
Lake
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OH
Fee
White Star Park
Columbus
Plan your visit to White Star Park in Ohio. Guide to swimming, diving, and hiking at the quarry lake. Info on fees, directions, and safety.
White Star Quarry
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OK
Fee
Gage Artesian Beach
Oklahoma City
Gage Artesian Beach is a spring-fed swimming area near Gage and Woodward in the Oklahoma City region. Find directions, access, and the best time to swim.
Artesian Spring
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OK
Fee
Pawnee Bath House Water Park
Oklahoma City
Plan your visit to Pawnee Bath House Water Park in Oklahoma. Find directions, activities like swimming and sliding, and essential safety tips for a fun day out.
Pawnee Lake
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OR
Fee
Applegate Valley Swimming Spots
Medford
Find swimming spots along the Applegate River in Oregon. Get directions, safety tips, and access notes for Medford, Jacksonville, and Ruch areas.
Varies-See Below
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OR
Fee
Crater Lake National Park Swimming Spots
Roseburg
Guide to unofficial swimming at Crater Lake, OR. Details on the Cleetwood Cove hike and Wizard Island boat tour, with essential safety tips for the cold, deep water.
Crater Lake
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PA
Free
Galeton
Williamsport
Find directions & safety tips for the unofficial Galeton, PA swimming hole on Pine Creek/Berger Lake. No fee, with nearby park access.
Pine Creek/Berger Lake
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PA
Free
Greenwood Furnace State Park
State College
Visit the swimming lake at Greenwood Furnace State Park in PA. Find directions from State College, park details, and safety tips for a day by the water.
East Branch Standing Stone Creek
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PA
Fee
Mount Gretna Lake
Harrisburg
Plan a trip to Mount Gretna Lake in PA. Find directions from Harrisburg, activity info, and practical tips for a safe swimming visit.
Lake Conewago
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SD
Free
Oahe Downstream
Sioux Falls
Find directions and tips for swimming and boating at the unofficial Oahe Downstream area on the Missouri River near Pierre, South Dakota.
Missouri River
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UT
Free
Lake Powell Swimming Spots near Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Guide to swimming at Lake Powell near Las Vegas. Find details on Bullfrog (UT) and Antelope Point (AZ) spots, directions, safety tips, and seasonal advice.
Lake Powell (Colorado River)
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UT
Fee
Mona Rope Swings
Provo
Mona Rope Swings swimming hole at Burriston Ponds near Mona and Provo, UT, is free to access. Find directions, parking, and what to expect at the lake.
Burriston Ponds
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VT
Fee
Red Rocks Park Swimming Area, Burlington Vt
Burlington
Swim at Red Rocks Park on Lake Champlain. Find directions, safety tips for zebra mussels, and details on both clothed and clothing-optional areas.
Lake Champlain
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VT
Fee
Congdon'S Point
Rutland
Find directions and tips for visiting Congdon's Point, an unofficial, scenic swimming spot on Chittenden Reservoir in Vermont.
Leffer'S Pond, Chittenden Reservoir
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VT
Free
Floating Bridge
Montpelier
Visit the historic Floating Bridge on Sunset Lake in Brookfield, VT. Learn about swimming, directions, and safety tips for this unique unofficial swimming spot.
Sunset Lake
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VT
Fee
Glen Lake
Rutland
Find directions and tips for swimming at Glen Lake in Vermont. Learn about unofficial access, parking, and safety for a visit near Rutland and Castleton.
Glen Lake
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WA
Free
Banks Lake Region Swimming Spots
Wenatchee
Guide to swimming in the Banks Lake region near Coulee City and Electric City, WA. Find directions, access notes, and essential safety tips for a great day on the water.
Banks Lake
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WA
Free
Lowell Johnson Park
Tacoma
Swim at Florence Lake from Lowell Johnson Park on Anderson Island. Access via ferry. No fees. Find directions, safety tips, and park details.
Florence Lake (Columbia River)
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WA
Fee
Seattle and Bellevue Lake Washington Beaches
Seattle
Visit Newcastle Beach Park in Bellevue, WA for swimming, picnics, and a playground. Find directions, parking tips, and seasonal info.
Lake Washington
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WA
Free
Wanapum Lake
Ellensburg
A guide to the unofficial Wanapum Lake swimming cove near Vantage, WA. Find directions, safety tips, and access details for this Columbia River spot.
Wanapum Lake (Columbia River)
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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.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Overview
Explore 52 lake swimming holes across 27 states. Conditions vary—check local guidance, respect private land, and follow Leave No Trace.
Explore More Lake Adventures
Ready to discover more? Check out other types of swimming holes or browse our complete directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes lake swimming holes unique?
Enjoy calm, expansive waters perfect for leisurely swimming, floating, and family activities in serene settings. Always assess depth, current, and footing before entering the water.
When is the best season for lake swimming?
Late spring through early fall is most popular. After storms or snowmelt, currents and turbidity can increase—check recent conditions.
Are lake swimming holes free?
Many are free; some sit inside parks with day-use or parking fees. Bring cash or a card and verify rules before you go.
What should I bring for lake spots?
Water shoes, sun protection, plenty of drinking water, and a trash bag. Never jump without checking depth and hazards first.